SINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is looking at taking “appropriate action” against SMRT after Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) chartered five MRT trains to transport students and teachers to a rugby match on Tuesday (Aug 26).
MediaCorp’s 938 Live reports that more than 3,000 students, staff and other supporters such as parents and alumni match were to be ferried to the match in time for its 4pm kick-off. The hired trains travelled from One-North station to Stadium MRT station at seven-minute intervals.
LTA said SMRT did not seek its approval before agreeing to provide the service to ACS(I). “Under the Circle Line licence, SMRT has to seek LTA’s prior approval for the provision of train services that are not open to the general commuting public,” LTA said in a statement.
LTA said it has also reminded SMRT that its primary focus must be to ensure good service delivery to the commuting public at large.
The ACS(I) principal had explained that chartering trains was more convenient than hiring 80 buses for the same price. Still, the resulting photos of trains flooded with a sea of yellow shirts and the sight of the school motto “The best is yet to be” flashing on LED signs on board set tongues wagging on social media.
The ACS boys beat St Andrew’s Secondary School 28-8 in the National C Division Rugby final.
Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/acs-i-rugby-train-ing-lta/1331292.html
