Extract from CNA.
During last Sunday's mock terror attacks on MRT stations, transport
companies provided shuttle services to ferry passengers affected by
the disruption.
But transport operators say that in a real emergency, the buses may
not be deployed so quickly, if at all.
SBS Transit, which runs the North East MRT Line, says a single bomb
blast will warrant the shutdown of the entire train network.
SBS Transit's rail operations director, Alex Goei, said: "What has
been agreed with the authorities is that we would close down the
system and this is to prevent any further attacks and further
injuries and deaths to commuters. Following which we would do a
security sweep of all the stations. We'd talk to relevant agencies
for advice with regards to whether it is safe to re-open train
service."
The same goes for the bus network if the explosion is on a
bus.
Choy Kin Chong, SMRT Corporation's deputy director for security and
emergency planning, said: "In a real situation, I think the
passengers cannot expect us to provide bus services for everyone of
them because we have to deal with the security situation for at
least the first couple hours or so and then we can decide whether
we want to resume train service as well as to provide bus services
to bridge any of the gap that is affected."
As for the simulated chemical attack at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station,
the civil defence says the way it responds to an actual attack
would remain the same with one exception.
SCDF's operations director, LTC Eric Yap, said: "In a real
situation, if the station had been attacked by a chemical agent,
what we would have done is we would have a much wider cordon
spanning about 100 metres from the station, just to ensure that the
responding forces are clear from any possibility of toxic escaping
from the station thereby affecting our responders."
While the SCDF appreciates feedback given so far, it urges the
public to bear in mind that the exercise is after all, not the real
deal. - CNA/ir
