SINGAPORE, 13 September 2024 – SMRT Corporation (SMRT) today formally entered the Metro Alliance alongside five Taiwanese rail operators – New Taipei Metro Corporation, Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, Taoyuan Metro Corporation, Taichung Mass Rapid Transit Corporation and Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation. SMRT is also the first international rail operator outside of Taiwan to be part of the alliance.

The six-party landmark agreement was announced at a ceremony during SMRT delegation’s visit to Taipei, and signed by SMRT Chairman Mr Seah Moon Ming and the five chairpersons of the Taiwanese metro operators. It outlines four key areas of collaboration to co-cultivate a stronger talent pipeline for the rail industry through various initiatives such as exchange programmes, technical expertise sharing to enhance operations and maintenance, coordinating joint procurement and spare parts development exercises to drive down costs, and exploring commercial opportunities in advertising, marketing, and transit retail.

Mr Ngien Hoon Ping, Group Chief Executive Officer, SMRT said, “We are honoured to be the first international rail operator invited to be a part of the Metro Alliance alongside these five leading metro companies in Taiwan. For decades, many of them have been SMRT’s trusted partners, journeying with us towards a shared goal of providing a safe, reliable, commuter-centric and sustainable public transportation for the communities we each serve in. Our common vision, and long-standing relationships, have laid a solid foundation for this Metro Alliance. We look forward to the opportunities this partnership will bring, as we strive to enhance urban rail systems and set new standards for rail excellence.”

Mr Hou Yu-Ih, Mayor of New Taipei City, said, “Operational since 1987, SMRT is recognised as an experienced rail operator globally. We believe there is much we can learn from one another through close collaborations and these exchanges can propel our metro system to the next level, enabling us to serve commuters better.”

Mr Lin Yu-Hsien, Convener of the Metro Alliance and Chairman of New Taipei Metro Corporation, said, “This signing marks a significant milestone, not only in tightening professional ties among metro companies domestically, but in establishing a cross-border connection, beyond our shores. Our relationship with Singapore goes way back to the early years when Taiwan was setting up our metro system. Back then, we drew from their experience in building the rail network and now we are strengthening our partnership to chart new frontiers together.”

In a bid to further deepen ties and explore new business opportunities with individual members of the Metro Alliance, SMRT Trains also officially established a sister metro relationship with New Taipei Metro Corporation and Taoyuan Metro Corporation. This follows a similar agreement with Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation last October.

Extending beyond the scope of collaboration laid out in the Metro Alliance Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), SMRT and New Taipei Metro Corporation will explore cross-city communications and tourism development, as well as exchange insights on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) related strategies. Both Taoyuan Metro Corporation and SMRT will exchange know-how in harnessing data analytics for smart operations and share innovative approaches to service excellence, among other cross-learning topics.

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