The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is to impose the maximum financial penalty of S$2 million (about RM5 million) on SMRT for the two disruptions to train services along the North-South Line on Dec 15 and 17 last year.  

It said in a statement today that investigations found that SMRT had failed to meet its licensing obligations for the North-South and East-West lines.   

It had failed, among other things, to exercise due diligence and vigilance expected of a public transport operator, and to maintain its network in good and efficient working condition, the LTA said.   

In both incidents, SMRT was also found to be in breach of the Operating Performance Standards (OPS), it added.

Under the Rapid Transit Systems (RTS) Act, a licensed public transport operator can be fined up to S$1 million (about RM2.5 million) per incident if the operator fails to comply with the Operating Performance Standards and other regulatory requirements.

The S$2 million will be donated to the Public Transport Fund to help needy families with transport fares.  

- Bernama