PSSA 2010 - Corporate Category Award Winner

SMRT Corporation Ltd

SMRT Corporation Ltd has established and sustained the SMRT Cares Programme that covers corporate philanthropy, volunteerism, community outreach and environmental conservation.  One of its key fund-raising activities is the SMRT Silver Tribute Fund, the largest-ever charity effort by a public transport provider.  This has helped more than 10,000 needy elderly and their caregivers.  In the last three years alone, SMRT has donated more than $6.7 million in cash and kind, either directly or through its business partners, to support various social service programmes.  These donations have benefited the elderly, persons with disabilities, as well as disadvantaged children, youths and families.

SMRT’s spirit of volunteering and serving is imbued in its culture, with an impressive 90 per cent of its staff strength of more than 6,000 having volunteered their time with adopted VWOs or assisting in fund-raising activities in the last two years.  Under the SMRT Corporate Volunteer Programme (CVP) initiated in 2004, SMRT adopts three charities each year and works closely with them to provide volunteer assistance and introduce new ways to better the lives of the beneficiaries.  One example is its engagement with the Geylang East Home for the Aged, where SMRT helped to build a sheltered linkway, refurbish the toilets and develop an extension to its Day Activity Centre.

To further support the adopted charities, SMRT has also established three CVP committees, led by the heads of SMRT’s various business units.  The Committees will hold regular dialogue and networking sessions with the adopted charities. 

In addition to staff volunteerism, SMRT also leverages on its infrastructure, facilities and resources to maximise its contributions to VWOs.  Highlights include organising a series of MRT excursions for those with disabilities; designating SMRT train stations, bus interchanges and taxis as ‘donation destinations’; and organising the first in-train blood donation drive for the Singapore Red Cross Society in 2004.  SMRT also provides media channels and space on its premises for VWOs to publicise their activities.

Other PSSA 2010 winners: