SMRT Trains is increasing pest-control measures after a video showed a rat scurrying through a carriage on the East-West Line [1].
The incident highlights potential hygiene vulnerabilities within the transit system and the challenge of maintaining sterile environments in high-traffic public spaces.
SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai said the issue on Monday, May 25, 2024 [1]. The company said the operator will step up pest-control and cleaning efforts to prevent similar occurrences [1, 2].
According to the operator, rodents can enter the trains through several points of access. These include the platforms, track areas, or the gaps located between individual train cars [1, 2]. The company said that these efforts are particularly necessary when commuters eat or drink on trains, which can attract pests [1, 2].
SMRT said the increased measures aim to mitigate the risk of infestations across the network. The company did not specify the exact frequency of the new cleaning schedule but said it is committed to preventing pest problems [1, 2].
The East-West Line is one of the primary arteries of Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit system, carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers daily. The sighting of a rodent inside a cabin has prompted the operator to review how pests migrate from the tracks into the passenger areas [1, 2].
“SMRT Trains is increasing pest-control measures after a video showed a rat scurrying through a carriage.”
This response indicates that SMRT is focusing on the intersection of infrastructure gaps and commuter behavior. By linking the presence of pests to eating and drinking on trains, the operator is shifting some responsibility toward passenger habits while acknowledging that the physical layout of the tracks and platforms provides entry points for wildlife.
