Awards for contribution to the public transport system

Madam Katijah Sarbu, 49, a station manager at Payar Lebar MRT station, was one of 26 winners recognised at the fifth biennial Land Transport Excellence Awards on Friday (Nov 25). ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG

In 1992, Madam Katijah Sarbu's work day took an unexpected turn when the SMRT staff member encountered a passenger in labour at Orchard MRT station.

"Someone came to the passenger service centre at Orchard and he told us that a woman was going to give birth," recalled Madam Katijah, 49, who was then a railway assistant.

"I called my station manager for help and we rushed down to help her.

"While we were carrying her on the stretcher the baby came out."

Both mother and child were fine.

Each day poses a fresh challenge for Madam Katijah, who has been working with SMRT for over 30 years.

For her contributions to the public transport system, Madam Katijah, who is now a station manager at Payar Lebar MRT station, was one of 26 winners recognised at the fifth biennial Land Transport Excellence Awards (LTEA).

The award recognises individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to the public transport system.

This year, the awards were given out by Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan at The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore on Friday (Nov 25).

At the ceremony, LTA CEO Ngien Hoon Ping congratulated the winners.

"Keeping our population and businesses flowing smoothly is no easy feat, especially in a high urban density Singapore with competing land use," he said.

This year, the ceremony also recognised organisations that implemented initiatives to make walking, cycling, and taking public transport more attractive to employees.

Deloitte Singapore, for one, was recognised for encouraging their employees to shift away from peak period travel by launching schemes that include flexible hours and working from home.

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