Much has been said about the technical failures that have occurred over the years – ageing tracks, third rail and signalling systems that are now being replaced, and faulty water pumps.

But the biggest failure has been a loss of engineering focus at the top with not enough attention and resources deployed to ensure the system delivers what all MRTs are designed to do: safe and reliable service all the time, always keeping up with commuter demand.

How to make SMRT and SBS Transit companies of engineering excellence again?

It starts at the top, but it is also about hiring the right people, training and re-training them, making sure knowledge and information is shared and passed from one generation to another, and having top-notch quality checks and audits.

… Han Fook Kwang is also a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University.