SMRT will increase pest-control measures after a video showed a rat running inside a train carriage on the East-West Line [1, 2].
The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of maintaining hygiene in high-traffic public transit systems where food remnants can attract pests. Because Singapore maintains strict public health standards, sightings of rodents in the transit network often trigger immediate operational responses to prevent wider infestations.
An SMRT spokesperson said the incident occurred following the circulation of a video posted on a Saturday [1]. The footage captured a rodent moving through the carriage, prompting a reaction from the transport operator to ensure the cleanliness of the fleet [1, 2].
"SMRT is aware of a post online about a rat sighting on board one of our trains on the East-West Line," the spokesperson said [1].
To combat the issue, the operator plans to step up pest-control efforts at both stations and inside the trains [1, 2]. SMRT said that food remnants left behind by commuters often attract pests, which can lead to hygiene concerns for the traveling public [1, 2].
The company is focusing on preventing infestations that could compromise the sanitary conditions of the East-West Line [1]. By intensifying these measures, SMRT aims to mitigate the risk of rodents entering the carriages, and to maintain a clean environment for passengers [2].
“SMRT will increase pest-control measures after a video showed a rat running inside a train carriage.”
This response underscores the vulnerability of urban rail networks to pests when passenger behavior—specifically littering food—intersects with transit infrastructure. For SMRT, the priority is a rapid visible response to prevent public perception of a systemic hygiene failure in Singapore's highly regarded transport system.
