Rail operating subsidy rises on the back of tougher maintenance regime

The MRT network currently has one delay for every 1.6 million train-km clocked, up from 133,000 train-km in 2015. PHOTO: ST FILE
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SINGAPORE - Higher rail reliability has come at a substantial cost, with taxpayers having to subsidise operations by nearly $600 million last year.

This is a stark change from before the new rail financing framework (NRFF) came into full effect in 2018, when operators funded asset replacements with fares - a regime which worked initially but eventually resulted in patchy service.

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