The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SBS Transit will be carrying out an emergency preparedness ground deployment exercise on Sunday, 4 February 2018 at the Downtown Line Newton MRT station from 10am to 6pm.

2.  Codenamed ‘Exercise Station Guard 2018’, the exercise aims to validate SBS Transit’s security measures and ground implementation plans at public transport nodes during periods of heightened security threats. During the exercise, the faregates at Exit C^[1] of the Downtown Line Newton MRT station will be closed and commuters entering the station will be directed to the faregates near Exit A instead, where they will undergo security screening. Entrances and exits of the Newton MRT station on the North-South Line will not be affected and will remain operational.

3.  Commuters should cater for additional travel time to factor in the security screening. Where possible, commuters should also avoid large baggage, which will require a longer time to clear.

4.  As part of the screening, commuters’ belongings and baggage will be scanned by X-ray machines, and they are also required to pass through ‘Walk-Through Metal Detectors’ before entering the faregates. Once cleared, they can proceed with their journey. Commuters are advised to follow the instructions of the security officers deployed when going through the security screening equipment.

5.  Mr Ngien Hoon Ping, LTA's Chief Executive and Chairman of Public Transport Security Committee, said: “‘Exercise Station Guard’ is part of our regular review of security measures with the Public Transport Operators and other relevant agencies so that we can respond speedily and effectively, should an incident occur. It is of utmost importance that these plans are tested from time to time so that agencies are familiar with what they need to do in the event of a real emergency threat to the transport network. Such exercises also allow us to review and strengthen these plans.”

6.  Mr Gan Juay Kiat, Chief Executive Officer of SBS Transit, said: "Exercises like this provide us with the opportunity to test and validate our preparedness and responsiveness in the event of a heightened security environment. It also engages the public, reminding them that we can never take things for granted and to always be alert to situations around us. We would like to extend our appreciation to all commuters who will be involved in the exercise and wish to thank them for their understanding and support.”
 

¹⁾ Exit C will remain open for commuters to exit the paid area of the MRT station, but those entering the station will have to go to Exit A instead.