Despite disruptions and tough working conditions, SMRT’s dedicated rail maintenance team works round-the-clock to ensure seamless train operations.
While many of Singapore’s residents sleep, the SMRT maintenance crew is hard at work, ensuring the city’s trains keep running smoothly. A behind-the-scenes look at their daily efforts highlights the challenges they face, particularly when dealing with disruptions that impact both the trains and their morale.
Following a series of high-profile disruptions, such as the East-West Line halt last September due to a defective axle box, the emotional toll on maintenance staff has been significant. Mr Low Choon Keong, SMRT’s director of rolling stock, explained that when such incidents occur, the team’s initial reaction is often one of demoralisation. However, their focus quickly shifts to resolving the issue. Once repairs are made, the team provides support and counselling to staff to ensure their morale is restored.
Despite the tough conditions, from working under time pressure to dealing with difficult environmental factors, the maintenance team remains committed. “The life of a maintenance staff at SMRT is tough,” Mr Low remarked. He emphasised the need for workers to operate efficiently under pressure and with various pieces of machinery to ensure trains run safely.
One such example of their dedication took place during an overnight rail replacement on March 11, 2025. At 1 am, workers gathered at Marina Bay station to replace a 18-metre stretch of rail that had a defect in its base. The team had only a three-hour window, from 1.30 am to 4.30 am, to complete the task before the first train of the day was due. The team worked quickly and decisively, with sparks flying as the damaged rail was cut out and replaced with a new one.
In addition to these emergency replacements, patrollers work tirelessly during the night, scanning tracks for defects with tools like torches and mirrors. They also use advanced ultrasound machines to detect cracks, though some issues, such as the chip being repaired in this instance, can only be identified by the keen eyes of experienced workers.
The maintenance of the trains themselves also plays a crucial role in keeping the system running. At Bishan depot, 144 trains undergo extensive overhauls every few years, which include inspecting and testing components like couplers and bogies to ensure they are in top working condition.
Although much of this work goes unnoticed by commuters, Mr Low hopes the public understands the effort involved. “A simple train ride takes a big team effort behind the scenes,” he explained. “It’s not just the train itself – there are many factors at play, from the tracks to the air-conditioning systems, all of which need to be functioning properly to ensure safe travel for everyone.”
Through their dedication, the SMRT maintenance crew plays an essential role in keeping Singapore’s rail network operating smoothly, often without recognition or thanks.
