Singapore's urban transport, from mass rapid transit, bus services, to taxis, is considered as one of the best public transportation systems in terms of availability, affordability, sustainability, efficiency, and convenience. SMRT is Singapore’s leading multi-modal land transport provider that is committed to sustainable development and focuses on the health and safety of customers, staff, and the environment.
Let us first understand what a sustainable urban transport system is.
A sustainable transport system meets the mobility and accessibility needs of all urban residents and does so in an environmentally-friendly manner. SMRT is a major player in making Singapore’s transit system the most ecologically sustainable public transport system. The transport service provider is dedicated to people-centric environmentally sustainable developments based on three core values including integrity, excellence, and service. Here are the steps and approaches that are taken by SMRT to make the public transport in Singapore sustainable.
1. The rail operator has created four committees including Energy Committee, Water Committee, Waste Committee, and Green Committee, headed by SMRT chairman, board members, and CEO. These committees work together to implement the Environmental Management System and make urban transport a greener transportation system.
2. SMRT’s Energy Committee continuously works on energy-saving products or processes. From investing in energy-efficient Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor in 2014 to installing solar panels in Bishan Depot and Tuas West Depot (in the upcoming months), SMRT, as a transport operator, is a responsible steward for environment sustainability.
3. The organization embraces the ‘Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle’ (3’R’s) concept to ensure all waste materials collected by SMRT staff are properly processed, recycled, and disposed of. The same 3’R’s concept is applied to water conservation projects at train and bus wash plants, CBD stations, and Tuas Depot.
4. SMRT follows sustainable practices throughout its supply value chain. It engages suppliers and contractors through a robust procurement procedure. It uses environmental and social criteria to evaluate high-risk suppliers.
5. In 2020, SMRT energy managers have created sustainability targets such as a 5% reduction in energy and carbon footprint, a 10% reduction in water consumption, and a 20% reduction in paper consumption.
6. SMRT will operate trains in the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). A solar photovoltaic (PV) system and a solar adsorption chiller have been installed at Mandai Depot (MDD). This depot also features a water recycling option. All TEL and depot premises have LED lighting to save energy.
On the contributions of SMRT towards making Singapore’s transport system sustainable, Seah Moon Ming, SMRT Chairman, stated that “As stewards of essential public transport assets, we believe in running our business ethically and in a sustainable manner. Moving forward, we will innovate and develop new capabilities to grow the Company. We will continue to invest in People and Technology. Kaizen and continuous improvement efforts will also be deepened at the individual, system, and company levels.”
Conclusion
The citizens of Singapore are satisfied and happy with the overall public transport situation in the country. The government, transport operators like SMRT, suppliers, contractors, and people have helped the country’s transportation system to become affordable, sustainable, and efficient. As a premier multi-modal transport operator, SMRT is leading the way in providing urban residents with a world-class transport service that is safe, reliable, and environment-friendly.