The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Wednesday that the first of 24 new Circle Line trains arrived at Pasir Panjang port on June 29, while the first of 18 new North East Line trains was delivered on July 20.

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Here is the statement from the LTA:

The first of 24 new Circle Line (CCL) and 18 new North East Line (NEL) trains have arrived in Singapore. The remaining trains will arrive progressively over the next few months.

All new trains will undergo extensive and rigorous testing at depots before they are progressively put into service from around the middle of 2015.

The 42 new trains will increase fleet capacity by 60 per cent on the CCL and 70 per cent on the NEL, shortening waiting times and improving service levels for commuters. Crowded stretches on CCL will get the new trains as soon as they are ready for service.

On the NEL, crowded stretches such as southbound trips will get more frequent service as more train trips are added during the weekday morning rush hour.

The first CCL train arrived at Pasir Panjang port on June 29, 2014, and was transported to Kim Chuan depot. The first NEL train arrived at the port on July 20, 2014, and has been delivered to Sengkang depot.

Trains undergo rigorous testing

To ensure reliable and safe operations, all new trains are put through extensive and rigorous tests once they are delivered to depots. Tests include: visual inspections of interiors, exteriors, underframes and roofs to examine the fleet for damages during shipment and transportation; coupling of individual train cars to form a train; and functionality testing of subsystems like batteries and fire safety equipment to verify that they meet product specifications and functional requirements.

After the first tests are finished, testing and commissioning take place.

First, static tests will be conducted on a stationary train to check train doors open and close as commanded from the cab; safety equipment, air conditioning, ventilation and lighting are working according to product specifications and functional requirements.

Next, dynamic speed running tests are conducted on a test track to check train controls for driving, braking and stopping accuracy; and train responsiveness to incoming commands from an active cab.

Once all these are completed, the trains will undergo further and final testing on live tracks before they are allowed to go into revenue service.

With the 42 additional new trains next year, commuters can look forward to less waiting and more train trips throughout the day especially during the peak period, and more comfortable journeys when travelling on the MRT network.

The first of 42 new trains for the Circle and North East Lines have reached Singapore and are due to be put into operation from the middle of next year.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said yesterday that the first of 24 new Circle Line trains arrived on June 29, while the first of 18 new North East Line trains was delivered on Sunday.

The remaining trains will be delivered in batches before January 2016. All 42 will be in service by the middle of that year to ease crowding and reduce waiting times.

The new trains will undergo "extensive and rigorous testing" before they are allowed into service, said the LTA.

When fully delivered, they will boost fleet capacity by 60 per cent on the Circle Line and 70 per cent on the North East Line.

The squeeze on both lines has become greater in recent years.

The trains will be injected into crowded stretches of both lines, said the LTA.

On the North East Line, a priority is to add services to the weekday morning rush hour to ease the crush experienced by commuters travelling towards Dhoby Ghaut and HarbourFront. Trains currently run every 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 minutes during peak hours on the North East Line, and every four to five minutes during off-peak periods.

On the Circle Line, trains arrive every 3-1/2 minutes during peak hours, and every seven minutes off-peak.

The LTA said a gamut of tests are run on all new trains.

These include visual inspections of the interior and exterior to check for damage that the trains may have suffered during transit.

After that, static tests will be conducted to ensure that systems such as doors, air conditioning and lighting are working properly.

There will also be speed running tests to check the controls for driving, braking and stopping accuracy. Final tests on live tracks will be run before the new trains can be put into service.

The 24 Circle Line trains cost $184 million, while the 18 North East Line trains cost $234.9 million. They were built by Shanghai Alstom Transport Co, a joint venture between French transport firm Alstom and the Shanghai Rail Traffic Equipment Development Co.

This article was first published on July 24, 2014.
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SINGAPORE - Upgrading works at Clementi, Commonwealth and Queenstown MRT stations are on track to complete by the middle of next year, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a statement today.

The three stations are set to get new entrances and facilities upon completion of the works, which were started in 2012 to alleviate congestion and provide commuters with greater convenience and comfort.

Clementi station saw basic structural completion last month. There will be two new sheltered link bridges to connect pedestrians from the extended station concourse to both sides of the adjacent road.

Installation of a lift and two escalators at the bridges will take place over the next few months, and will be followed by the installation of roof panels over the steel columns, the LTA said.

It added that structural works at Commonwealth station and piling works at Queenstown station are making good progress.

Other stations that are also slated for upgrades include Tanah Merah, which have a new lift, Pasir Ris and Bishan. A drop-off bay with a high covered roof will be built at the latter two stations, the LTA said.

huizhen@sph.com.sg

SINGAPORE - SMRT will be extending the operation hours for its train and some of its bus services on the eve of National Day.

The last train towards Jurong East, Marina Bay, Pasir Ris and Joo Koon stations on the North-South-East-West Lines will depart City Hall station at 12.30am.

On the Circle Line, the last train towards HarbourFront will depart Dhoby Ghaut station at 11.55pm. The last train towards Dhoby Ghaut will depart HarbourFront MRT station at 11.30pm.

Passengers on the last northbound train can transfer to the last Bukit Panjang LRT train at 1.31am.

Selected feeder bus services will depart their respective interchanges at the timings below:

173, 189, 941, 945, 947 (Bukit Batok): 1.40am

300, 302, 307 (Choa Chu Kang): 1.35am

859 (Sembawang): 1.25am

901, 911, 912, 913 (Woodlands): 1.20am

804, 812 (Yishun): 1.30am

While I appreciate SMRT's efforts to enhance commuters' experience, I am not for the idea of allowing buskers to perform at train station platforms ("Enjoy live music while you wait for the train"; last Saturday).

Some platforms in stations like Raffles Place and City Hall are already so crowded during evening peak hours. Often, the situation can get chaotic, especially when there is a train delay.

Allowing buskers would cause commuters to linger, adding to the overcrowding.

The Government should channel funds to improve the public transport system, instead of using them on "enhancements" like cellphone charging points and buskers.

Betty Ho (Ms)

This article was first published on July 30, 2014.
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SINGAPORE - Works on the elevated Canberra MRT station will start in the middle of next year and are expected to complete in 2019, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a statement today.

The new addition to the North-South Line is located along Canberra Link, between Sembawang and Yishun stations. It will be the second MRT station to be built on an existing rail line in Singapore.

The LTA said that building a station on an operational line is challenging as working hours are limited, but the safety of MRT operations and site security will remain of paramount importance.

Canberra station will have five entrances connecting residents to the new housing estates across Canberra Link.

An elevated link bridge will be built across Canberra Link, allowing commuters to bypass the station's concourse level to directly access the city-bound train platform.

The new station will also have covered linkways to bus stops, pick-up and drop-off points as well as bicycle parks, the LTA said.

huizhen@sph.com.sg

SINGAPORE - Companies based near MRT stations have backed a government move to provide grants promoting flexible travel arrangements.

The Land Transport Authority's (LTA's) Travel Smart Network initiative, launched on Wednesday, hopes to ease the public transport crush during morning peak hours by helping employers bear the costs of developing flexible work plans.

In a trial starting in 2012, feedback from 6,000 people in 12 organisations showed 20 per cent changed their work arrangements and reduced their peak-hour travel by 12 per cent.

The LTA has approached some companies near MRT stations with more than 200 employees - the "critical mass" required for flexible travel schemes to work.

Firms like DBS and Standard Chartered Bank have shown interest, saying the scheme complements their flexi-work policies.

Senior Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo has said the Government will be "very happy" to support smaller companies - those with fewer than 200 staff members - that want to participate.

Mr Kurt Wee, president of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, said that with 70 per cent of Singapore's workforce employed in SMEs, the impact on public transport congestion will be "very large".

Companies with at least 40 employees should be allowed to benefit from the scheme, he added. This figure, he said, is sizeable enough to allow for flexibility. But firms with fewer than 20 employees have less capacity for flexibility, and as such may need to keep to more regular hours in line with client schedules or banking hours.

The scheme allows each firm to apply to the LTA for grants of up to $510,000 over three years.

These comprise a $30,000 voucher to engage approved consultants to develop travel demand management plans, and grants of up to $160,000 a year for three years to co-fund initiatives such as bicycle parking and morning programmes for early birds.

Mr Low Cheong Kee, managing director of hardware store HomeFix, which employs 100 people at its Tai Seng HQ, said the grant will supplement its flexi-work scheme, which allows employees to come in earlier or later as long as they clock the required hours.

Ms Elaine Brick, associate director for transportation at consultancy Aecom, which conducted the LTA's trial, said there has been better staff morale, productivity and work-life balance as well as reduced journey times.

But a "mindset shift" is required to tackle barriers, such as fears of negative perceptions from other colleagues. Ms Brick said: "There must be a certain level of trust... and a shift in focus to quality of work, rather than quantity of work delivered."

This was reflected in measures adopted by companies in the trial.

At KPMG, the 13 per cent of eligible staff on flexi-hours must inform clients and colleagues of their whereabouts through voicemail or out-of-office messages.

Law firm Rajah & Tann has a support system allowing supervisors and colleagues to provide back-up when needed. At Citibank, 70 per cent of staff start work before 8.30am or after 9am.

And at the Public Service Division, senior management "lead by example". Assistant executive Agnes Phang, 57, said supervisors have been supportive of her work arrangement, adding: "I'm able to spend more quality time with my mother in the evening."

This article was first published on August 2, 2014.
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Rush hour can be crush hour at MRT stations like Clementi, Commonwealth and Queenstown.

However, all three are receiving upgrades to improve the commuting experience for passengers.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has completed the structure of two new pedestrian link bridges and an extended station concourse at Clementi station.

Similar works are under way at Commonwealth and Queenstown. The enhancements will ease congestion on existing link bridges at all three stations. The new access points will also make it easier for more commuters using the stations.

Yesterday, the LTA said works at all three are on track to be completed by the middle of next year. The upgrading will cost a total of $11.7 million.

Elsewhere, the LTA will install a lift at an entrance to Tanah Merah station, while drop-off bays at Pasir Ris and Bishan stations will get high covered roofs.

Works to upgrade Clementi, Commonwealth and Queenstown stations began in 2012. LTA deputy director for infrastructure enhancement Saifulbahri Rasno noted the heavy pedestrian traffic at these three stations, especially during peak hours.

At Clementi, commuters also use the station link bridges to cross the road. Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Ahmad Syahir Sazali, 19, said there is often a squeeze there. "It's very crowded. People bump into each other and it can be hard to walk."

One new link bridge will be located in front of Block 450 along Commonwealth Avenue West, while the other will be sited near blocks 326 and 327. Both will have escalators and a lift. There will be nine fare gates and a general ticketing machine at the Clementi extended station concourse. After tapping in, commuters will be directly linked to the train platform. Mr Saifulbahri said: "The intention is to better distribute heavy commuter flow."

Associate Professor Marcelo Ang from the NUS department of mechanical engineering said the new access points will help halve pedestrian traffic at the existing link bridges.

Separately, the LTA said three new trains have been added to the North-South and East-West lines. Three more are undergoing testing and will be added to the system by September this year.

Commuters at Clementi can also look forward to an extended and high covered bus stop at two heavily-used stops beside the MRT station.

roysim@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on August 01, 2014.
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SINGAPORE - Commuters using the Circle Line to head towards HarbourFront were held up on Friday morning, causing massive crowds at the platforms of at least two MRT stations.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.

Here is the statement posted by SMRT on its Facebook page at 10.56am:

At about 8.05am this morning, a Circle Line train stalled between Tai Seng and Bartley stations in the direction towards HarbourFront.

The stalled train was driven by a Station Staff to Bartley, where passengers were detrained. Our commuters resumed their journey on the next trains.

Full services along the Circle Line resumed at around 8.14am.

However, the delay at Bartley station had an effect on trains behind the vehicle that caused the delay. Normal headway between trains was restored at around 9.19am.

Initial findings point to a signal fault aboard the train. Our engineers are attending to the situation.

We apologise for the inconvenience experienced by our commuters this morning.

Tweets from a few affected commuters:

SINGAPORE - When the new rail system first opened its doors on Nov 7, 1987, hawker Chan Soon Heng and his family were among the first to experience the thrill of riding the gleaming new trains.

"It was a very smooth ride and I still feel lucky that my family was there to experience it with me," said Mr Chan.

With three children in tow, he and his wife made their way to Ang Mo Kio MRT station on the historic opening weekend of the North-South Line for their adventure.

The family outing was captured by then Straits Times photographer Michael Liew. It shows a smiling Mr Chan with his two younger daughters, Ren Chun (who later changed her name to Shiqi), six, and Ren Hui, two, in his arms, as he strolls through the MRT gantry. Oldest daughter Ren Tze, eight, looks on while her mother Madam Yeo Sway Moi, 29, is not pictured.

The family hopped off at Toa Payoh to visit relatives. There were only five stops at the time.

"We were all very excited to go on our first train ride alongside other Singaporeans," said Mr Chan in Mandarin, recalling how he had also enjoyed a bird's eye view of Ang Mo Kio. It was the first time they had seen their neighbourhood from a height.

Mr Chan, 62, runs a hawker stall selling fried kway teow and bak chor mee (minced meat noodles) in Toa Payoh Central, and has lived in a three-room flat in Ang Mo Kio since the early 1980s.

Three weeks later, a million rides had been taken.

The country had planned for years to establish an MRT network to complement bus services plying congested roads often plagued by traffic snarls. The idea was first mooted in 1967 to meet population growth demands and in 1982, the Government approved the construction of the $5 billion system.

Since then, the network has mushroomed, and MRT rides have become more of a chore than a novelty to commuters.

To date, Singapore's packed metro network has five lines and more than a hundred stations in operation, and continues to expand to serve the 5.4 million-and-growing population.

But Mr Chan's journey has not changed. He still shuttles between the same two stations like he did all those years ago, and rarely explores other stations and lines.

"It can get a bit confusing... Most of my days off are spent at home resting after a long week of work at the hawker centre," he said.

Said his second daughter, Shiqi: "You can feel the warmth of familial love and bonding through the photo." The administrative assistant, 32, who now has a two-year-old daughter of her own. "It's hard to get everyone together as we grow older so it's nice that this photo captures our early years as a family, watching Singapore progress."

This article was first published on August 7, 2014.
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Passengers waiting to board their trains at City Hall, Raffles Place and Orchard MRT stations will be able to enjoy free WiFi access from Aug 22 onwards, announced the Land Transport Authority (LTA) today. Staff will be on hand during the first ten days to help commuters connect to the free service.

The three stations are the first to provide Wireless@SG access to commuters as part of initiatives to improve service on the public transport network. Free WiFi access will be rolled out to all stations on the North East Line as well as 12 other stations with high commuter volume over the next nine months. These stations include Bishan, Buona Vista, Choa Chu Kang, Dhoby Ghaut, HarbourFront, Jurong East, Outram Park, Paya Lebar, and Serangoon.

Commuters can recognise WiFi connected platforms by the posters and decals at these stations.

LTA's Chief Executive Mr Chew Hock Yong said that the introduction of Wireless@SG aims to enhance wireless connectivity for passengers. "They can now check their emails, surf the web, or connect to social media platforms on their phones and tablets more speedily while they wait for the train."

ayxhy@sph.com.sg

Commuters waiting at the platforms of three busy MRT stations - Raffles Place, City Hall and Orchard - will have access to free Wi-Fi from Aug 22.

Platforms at another 21 stations will be similarly connected to Singapore's national Wi-Fi network, Wireless@SG, over the next nine months, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a statement yesterday.

The other stations that will have access to Wi-Fi include all 16 stations along the North-East Line, as well as Bishan, Buona Vista, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong East and Paya Lebar.

Interchange stations such as HarbourFront and Dhoby Ghaut will have Wi-Fi access on platforms of different lines.

The move to provide Wi-Fi was first announced last October in the LTA Masterplan.

Posters and stickers will be displayed at stations to indicate which platforms are Wi-Fi equipped.

The Infocomm Development Authority will arrange for officers to be on hand during the roll-out to help commuters connect to the service.

As of April this year, there were at least 60,000 mobile users on Wireless@SG.

To sign up for the Wi-Fi service, users can either register with the four operators - M1, SingTel, StarHub and Y5Zone - online or at their customer service centres.

Civil servant Jay Yan, 26, said that while the new service was good, he hoped that the Wi-Fi access will be extended to trains as well.

"I usually use my phone when I'm on the train, or waiting for my friends at the exit, " said Mr Yan who travels on the MRT three times a week.

This article was published on Aug 12 in The Straits Times.

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SINGAPORE - The eastern stretch of the Thomson-East Coast Line will have nine stations running from Sungei Bedok to Tanjong Rhu. The line will then connect northwards to 22 other stations. The stations along the northern stretch were announced earlier under the Thomson Line.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.

Here is the statement from the Land Transport Authority:

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is pleased to announce the rail alignment and station locations for the Eastern Region Line, which will run with the Thomson Line as a single line. When completed, this will be Singapore's sixth rail line, to be known as the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL).

The 13-kilometre East Coast stretch of the TEL will connect commuters living in the eastern parts of Singapore and who are not directly served by the rail network currently, such as those in Tanjong Rhu, Siglap, Marine Parade, Upper East Coast and Bedok South, to the heart of the city. As part of the 43-kilometre long TEL, the East Coast stretch will also connect commuters to the North-South corridor.

Fully underground, this new stretch will have nine stations, including one interchange station with the Downtown Line (DTL). In all, TEL will have 31 stations, of which seven are interchanges.

In addition, LTA has finalised the alignment of the DTL3 Extension (DTL3e). This new extension will be 2.2 kilometres long and consists of two stations, including the interchange station with the East Coast stretch of TEL. It will improve public transport accessibility to the Changi Business Park and Expo areas. By linking the TEL and DTL, this extension also improves public transport connectivity in the eastern areas of Singapore, and helps relieve crowding on the East-West Line (EWL).

Time savings and greater accessibility for commuters in the Thomson and eastern areas of Singapore

TEL will create new links in the east and bring about time savings for commuters who travel to the Central Business District today by bus, or to the northern part of Singapore. For instance, a resident from East Coast travelling to Orchard will almost halve his journey time from 75 minutes to 45 minutes. A Republic Polytechnic student staying at Marine Parade can reach home in an hour, 20 minutes faster than the bus ride currently.

Graphic: LTA

In addition, the TEL stations are designed with more entrances and exits. As part of our efforts to improve first and last mile connectivity, some of these entrances on the East Coast stretch will also be connected to longer underpasses of up to 400 metres. These underpasses shelter commuters against the weather, reduce the time taken to walk to and from the station, and improve safety, particularly for the elderly and children, by removing the need to cross roads.

Several firsts for Singapore's rail network

The world's first four-in-one train and bus depot will be built with the TEL. This first-of-its-kind depot will house buses, as well as trains for the TEL, EWL and DTL. At 36 hectares, the four-in-one depot can house around 220 trains and 550 buses. While building such a depot involves complex planning and significant engineering challenges, by integrating the train and bus depots, we will save 44 hectares of land, or an area of approximately 60 football fields.

LTA will also build Singapore's first underground bicycle parks at MRT stations. Located at four of the stations along the East Coast stretch of the TEL, these bicycle parks will be useful for commuters who wish to cycle to the MRT stations from their home or workplace.

TEL East Coast stretch to be operational by 2023

The East Coast stretch of TEL will be completed in two stages. The first seven stations from Tanjong Rhu to Bayshore will be ready in 2023, while the remaining two stations, the DTL3e and the depot will be completed in 2024.

When fully operational in 2024, the 31 stations on TEL are expected to serve about 500,000 commuters daily in the initial years, rising to one million commuters daily in the longer term.

All efforts have been made to minimise land acquisition. Unfortunately, the Government will still need to acquire six landed properties along Amber Road and one three-storey walk-up apartment along Tanjong Katong Road for the development of the TEL. In addition, nine part lots will be acquired.

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has gazetted the properties affected by acquisition today. Landowners who are affected will receive acquisition notices. SLA will work closely with affected owners and assist them throughout the acquisition process.

Commuters living in the east can expect significantly shorter travelling times to the city and north when the new Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) opens in 2024.

A trip from East Coast Park to Orchard should take just 45 minutes, down from the current 75 minutes by bus.

Those commuting from Marine Parade to the central business district (CBD) by bus and train will halve their travel time to 20 minutes.

Ms Hazwani Lee, 29, an accounts executive, who lives in Upper East Coast, said that she will be glad not to have to squeeze with other commuters on the way to work in Raffles Place.

"There's only the East-West line to Raffles Place from the east, and it's always crowded in the morning," she said.

Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan said that the new line is an exciting development for residents in his constituency, including those who own cars.

"There are hardly any buses in these areas and residents have told me that they'd be willing to switch to public transport if MRT stations are built nearby," he said.

Three stations of the TEL - the Tanjong Rhu, Katong Park and Amber stations - are in his constituency. "Even if they have cars, we should promote the use of public transport," he added.

Rail connectivity has been a bugbear of commuters in the area.

Currently, residents have to take a bus to their destination or find their way to an East-West Line station.

"It takes me about 20 minutes to take a bus to Tanah Merah MRT station but in the future I just need five minutes to walk to Bayshore station," said recent university graduate Adam He, 24. He lives across from the new Bayshore station and is starting work near one-north in Buona Vista.

Even some property owners affected by land acquisition welcomed the new line.

St Patrick's School principal Adolphus Tan said the new line would benefit staff and students.

The new Marine Terrace station will be sited in a corner of the school.

But his school will have to give up some of its land - about 411 sq m or the size of two tennis courts - for the new MRT line. Mr Patrick Mowe, a member of the management committee at Laguna Park condominium in Marine Parade, also welcomed the development despite having to give up 744 sq m of land.

The condominium's main entrance will have to be relocated but no homes will be affected.

"With the convenience of having a station right at our doorstep, I think there'd be hardly any hesitation in giving up that small plot of land," he said.

Getting there quicker with TEL

FROM EAST COAST PARK TO ORCHARD

Now: 75 minutes by bus Future: 45 minutes using TEL

FROM MARINE PARADE TO SHENTON WAY

Now: 40 minutes by bus and MRT Future: 20 minutes by TEL

FROM MARINE PARADE TO WOODLANDS

Now: 80 minutes by bus Future: 60 minutes by TEL

MARINE PARADE TO JURONG EAST

Now: 65 minutes by bus Future: 50 minutes by TEL and East-West Line

FROM UPPER EAST COAST ROAD TO ANG MO KIO

Now: 60 minutes by bus and MRT Future: 45 minutes by TEL and North-South Line

This article was first published on August 16, 2014.
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KUALA LUMPUR - Three people are feared dead after a 38m-long concrete span at the Mass Rapid Transit project near Kota Damansara collapsed.

The 300-tonne span which is made up of 14 units of segmented box girders had become dislodged from its piers before falling to the ground.

MRT Corpration Sdn Bhd confirmed that as at press time, three of its workers were still missing.

"Three workers are unaccounted for and are believed to be trapped underneath. Rescue efforts are currently on-going and an emergency response team is on standby at the site," it said in a statement.

The missing workers have been identified as Bangladesh nationals Mohamad Faruk Khan, Mohammad Elahi Hussain and Mohammad Alauddin Mollik.

The incident occurred at the MRT worksite within the former Rubber Research Institute.

The incident happened at about 8.30pm while construction of the parapet was being carried out on the MRT elevated guideway.

It said police and Fire and Rescue Services had also been mobilised.

Investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the incident.

All work along the project site where the incident occurred has been suspended.

No members of the public were involved in the incident as there is no access to the site.

MRT Corp Chief Executive Officer Datuk Wira Azhar Abdul Hamid, who was at the site, expressed deep regret over the incident.

"Although investigations are under way, MRT Corp assumes full responsibility for the incident. Once investigations are completed, action will be taken against those responsible," he said.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department operations director Mohd Sani Harul said the department was alerted about the incident at about 9.46pm.

KUALA LUMPUR - Three people are feared dead after a 38m-long concrete span at the Mass Rapid Transit project near Kota Damansara collapsed.

The 300-tonne span which is made up of 14 units of segmented box girders had become dislodged from its piers before falling to the ground.

MRT Corpration Sdn Bhd confirmed that as at press time, three of its workers were still missing.

PETALING JAYA - Three workers are feared dead after a 300-tonne concrete span collapsed at a MRT construction site in Kota Damansara Monday night.

In a statement, Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) said the incident occurred at the MRT worksite within the former Rubber Research Institute site near Kota Damansara.

"The incident occurred at around 8.30pm while construction of the parapet was being carried out on the MRT elevated guideway.

"A span of the guideway had dislodged from its piers and fallen on the ground below. The span, which was made up of 14 units of segmented box girders, was 38m in length and weighed 300 tonnes.

"MRT Corp confirms that three workers are unaccounted for and are believed to be trapped underneath. Rescue efforts are currently on-going and an emergency response team is on standby at the site," it said.

It later revealed the names of the three workers unaccounted for, namely Bangladesh nationals Mohamad Faruk Khan, Mohammad Elahi Hossain and Mohammad Alauddin Mollik.

MRT Corp said no members of the public were involved in the incident as there was no access to the site and investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the incident.

"All work along Package V1 where the incident occurred has been suspended until further notice. The work package contractor for Package V1 is Syarikat Muhibbah Perniagaan dan Pembinaan Sdn Bhd," it said.

MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Wira Azhar Abdul Hamid, who was at the site, expressed deep regret over the incident.

"Although investigations are underway, MRT Corp assumes full responsibility for the incident. Once investigations are completed, action on those responsible will be taken," he said.

Selangor Fire and Rescue department operations director Mohd Sani Harul said they were alerted of the incident at about 9.46pm.

A K-9 unit was also spotted at the site of the incident, assisting rescue efforts.

PETALING JAYA - Rescuers have recovered one body and are working to retrieve two more people believed to be trapped underneath a concrete span which collapsed at the MRT construction site in Kota Damansara on Monday night.

Selangor Fire and Rescue department operations director Mohd Sani Harul said the body of the victim was retrieved at about 2.34am, Tuesday.

"We are still working to retrieve the remaining workers.

"We have to cut the concrete slab in order to retrieve them ... it will take some time," he said when contacted.

Mohd Sani added that he could not confirm whether the two workers were alive or not.

In a statement, Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) confirmed that a span of the MRT guideway had dislodged from its piers and fallen on the ground below at 8.30pm Monday. The incident occurred while work to construct the parapet for the guideway was being carried out.

The span, made up of 14 units of segmented box girders, is 38m in length and weighs 300 tonnes.

MRT Corp confirmed that the three workers trapped were Bangladesh nationals Mohamad Faruk Khan, Mohammad Elahi Hossain and Mohammad Alauddin Mollik.

"No members of the public were involved in the incident as there is no access to the site. The location of the incident site is within the former RRI land near the future Kwasa Damansara MRT Station.

"Investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the incident," the statement said.

MRT Corp Chief Executive Officer Datuk Wira Azhar Abdul Hamid, who was at the site, expressed deep regret over the incident.

"Although investigations are underway, MRT Corp assumes full responsibility for the incident. Once investigations are completed, action on those responsible will be taken," he said.

PETALING JAYA - Netizens have expressed their worry of the safety standards at MRT construction sites and called for sterner actions towards companies involved.

The reactions started pouring in following the mishap involving three workers at an MRT construction site in Kota Damansara Monday.

Facebook user Ui Riamu said that he had felt uncomfortable driving past the MRT construction site on the day of the accident.

"The project was rushed...not feeling safe when driving," he said.

Agreeing to the statement, Ashley Dazzling said that every time she passes the construction area in Kota Damansara, she would look up to see what is happening and wonder what would happen if something heavy falls on people below.

"Never knew it would really happen. Luckily I will not be using the road for two weeks. Sounds scary and horrible," she said.

Vincent Tey simply said that better occupational health and safety standards are needed.

Another Facebook user, Meran Cobain-Winehouse said that this (the accidents) was happening too often for comfort.

"Either the authority bucks up the safety standards or shut it down. MRT Corp or local authority shouldn't put the workers and citizen at unnecessary risk," she said.

In an accident late Monday night, a 300-tonne concrete span collapsed at a MRT construction site in Kota Damansara. Three Bangaldeshi workers were trapped under the concrete span and one body have been recovered so far.

PETALING JAYA - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called for a full investigation into the MRT accident that has claimed three lives of Bangladeshi workers.

Expressing his shock and sadness, Najib said this must be carried out immediately to ensure similar incidents do not occur in the future.

"Shocked and saddened to hear about the MRT site accident. A full investigation must be carried out immediately to ensure this never happens again," Najib tweeted.

A section of the MRT guideway dislodged from its piers and fallen on the ground below at 8.30pm, Monday. The incident occurred while work to construct the parapet for the guideway was being carried out.

The section termed a span, made up of 14 units of segmented box girders, is 38m in length and weighs 300 tonnes.

The body of one worker has been retrieved so far.