On 31 December 2001, it was renamed SMRT Trains Limited, so as to avoid confusion with the then upcoming North East MRT line which would be under SBS Transit.

The Singapore MRT Limited was incorporated on 6 August 1987, and signed the licence and operating agreement (LOA) with MRTC, a government-run corporation till 1997.

On 7 November 1987, MRTC started services on Singapore's first MRT section, consisting of five stations from Yio Chu Kang to Toa Payoh.

[1] SMRT transited to a 15-year contract under the new framework from 1 October 2016, with the transfer of ownership of all its rail assets at a net value of $1.06 billion to the government.

[3] The main colour scheme for all trains are black with a red stripe and grey band at the bottom.