SMRT will intensify pest control measures at train stations and depots after a video showing a rat inside an East-West Line train circulated online over the weekend, the operator said on May 24. The incident prompted renewed reminders for passengers not to eat or drink on trains or in stations, as food scraps can attract rats and other pests.
In response to media queries, SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai said rats may occasionally enter trains through station platforms, track areas, undercarriage gaps, or the gangways between train cars. He added that the operator carries out regular maintenance and thoroughly cleans trains every day when they return to the depot at the end of passenger service.
The video, which spread across multiple social media platforms, shows a rat moving quickly under seats inside a train cabin while passengers lift their feet to avoid it. In the footage, two people can be seen trying to corner the animal before it is eventually guided out of the cabin when the train doors open at a station.
SMRT’s response comes as public attention has turned to cleanliness and pest prevention on the rail network, especially in crowded commuter environments where food waste can pose a sanitation risk. The operator said it will step up measures at key locations, including stations and depots, to reduce the likelihood of pests entering trains and public areas.
The reminder to passengers is part of SMRT’s broader effort to maintain cleanliness and prevent conditions that could attract rodents. While the operator said such incidents may happen occasionally, it stressed that trains are cleaned daily as part of routine maintenance.
The online video has generated discussion about pest control on public transport and the importance of keeping trains free of food debris. SMRT did not say when the rat entered the train or how long it remained on board, but the footage showed passengers reacting calmly as the animal moved through the cabin.
With pest control being intensified, the operator is aiming to reassure commuters that measures are in place to address the issue. The incident also highlights the challenges of maintaining hygiene in a busy mass transit system, where continuous passenger traffic and access points can create opportunities for pests to appear.
SMRT’s statement underscores its message that commuters play a role in keeping the rail environment clean by avoiding food and drink on trains and in stations.
