You Can Get a $1,000 Fine for Interfering Train Doors

Images: Screengrab from video on Reddit.

To ensure safe and comfortable journeys for train commuters, the Singapore MRT system is equipped with a wide variety of safety systems and features – like train departure prevention when any train or platform door is not proven to be closed and locked.

In an offensive act by an errant commuter — which we unequivocally do not condone in the slightest — the door interlock safety system was demonstrated at Jurong East MRT station, preventing a train from departing and delaying a train behind from entering the station.

Errant Commuter Deliberately Jams Platform Screen Doors

Rapid Transit Systems Regulations

Regulation No. 26 of the Rapid Transit Systems Regulations. (Image: Screengrab from Singapore Statutes Online)

Regulation No. 26 of the Rapid Transit Systems Regulations pertaining to the interference of doors states that nobody should in any way interfere with any Platform Screen Door (PSD), train doors or the operation of any such door.

This regulation is applicable except during emergencies and when a door is designated by a notice to be used for emergency situations, and it also gives the exception to authorised personnel acting in the discharge of their duties.

The maximum penalty for failing to comply with Regulation No. 26 is a S$1,000 fine.

Section 42 of the Rapid Transit Systems Act states, “failure or neglect to comply with, any regulations shall be an offence and [The Authority] may prescribe the fine”.

Deliberate blocking of Platform Screen Doors at Jurong East MRT station

Faulted platform screen door as a result of the deliberate action by the errant commuter. (Image: Screengrab from video on Reddit)

In a two-minute video which has gone viral in Singapore recently, a commuter filmed and uploaded a video of himself purposefully preventing a platform screen door from closing, which caused a train service delay.

The incident occurred during the evening peak hours on Tuesday (Feb 28) at the eastbound platform ‘C’ of Jurong East MRT station for the East-West Line (EWL).

“We take a serious view of such behaviour – not only is it dangerous for the person involved, but the irresponsible act could also cause delays to train service, affecting many commuters,” said SMRT Trains President Lam Sheau Kai in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Lam added that SMRT Trains has reported this matter to the police.

Demonstration of the Door Interlock Safety System

A platform screen door summary indicator tells Train Captains whether all platform doors have been proven closed and locked. (Image: SGTrains File)

The door interlock safety system was demonstrated in this incident, preventing the departure of the affected train as the deliberately blocked PSD was unable to prove that it had been fully closed and locked.

Simply put, the affected train will not receive a departure clearance when safety systems do not detect that either the train doors or PSDs are proven closed and locked.

Chain Reaction happened due to the safety systems

A train behind had to stop and queue behind the affected train at the platform. (Image: Screengrab from video on Reddit)

This triggered a series of events as the affected train did not receive departure clearance, and the first to notice was likely the Train Captain (TC).

The TC of the affected train would have noticed the lack of departure clearance as indicated by the absence of all-clear signs from the PSD summary and in-cab indicators.

Despite the attempt to re-cycle the PSDs by opening and closing all doors again, the affected PSD seemed to have faulted due to the deliberate act and had to be isolated manually.

This led to a train behind having to stop and queue as the affected train could not depart the platform, causing a delay to the clockwork of events that take place daily.

In a collaborative effort between the TC on the affected train, Operations Control Centre (OCC) personnel and Jurong East MRT station staff – swift and immediate rectification measures were made.

A station staff from Jurong East MRT station isolating the faulted platform screen door. (Image: Screengrab from video on Reddit)

A station staff managed to identify the faulted door after several minutes and had to manually isolate it away from safety systems using the door control panel.

With the affected door now isolated from safety systems and marked as faulty, the affected train departed, and train service took a while to stabilise afterwards due to the congestion.

SGTrains unequivocally do not condone such acts in the slightest, and we hope that such errant acts will not occur and be attempted again in the future.

Check Other Related Posts

How Could a Safety Feature Delay Train Services for 60 Minutes?

How Did Faulty Track Point Device Cause 6-Hour Train Service Disruption?

How did a safe MRT system indirectly cause delays?

Related Links
East-West Line – SGTrains
Platform Screen Doors – SGTrains
Train Service Status – SGTrains

External Links
Child blocking platform doors and delaying MRT trains for Youtube – Reddit [Accessed 05 Mar 2023]
SMRT files police report after commuter blocks platform door, causing train delay – CNA [Accessed 05 Mar 2023]

Images: SGTrains File, Screengrab from Singapore Statutes Online, Screengrab from video on Reddit.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.