4-year overhaul for Bukit Panjang LRT: Khaw
The ageing Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit system will undergo a four-year overhaul from this year to replace its existing signalling system and install new and improved vehicles, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on Wednesday (March 7). TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — The ageing Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) system will undergo a four-year overhaul from this year to replace its existing signalling system and to install new and improved vehicles, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on Wednesday (March 7).
Mr Khaw’s announcement, which he made during the Committee of Supply debate on his ministry’s budget, signalled that the authorities had decided against the suggestion to scrap the beleaguered network entirely. There have been calls, for instance, to replace the nearly two decade-old system operated by SMRT with a network of buses.
“The Bukit Panjang LRT is reaching the end of its useful life. After evaluating all options, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has decided to work with the original supplier, Bombardier (Singapore), to renew the entire network,” the minister said.
The S$344 million renewal contract was awarded to Bombardier (Singapore) following the call for a tender last year. LTA said the manufacturer had demonstrated that it would be able to renew the system with “minimal disruption” to services.
“As BPLRT’s original equipment manufacturer, Bombardier is also familiar with the current system, and has built up experience from ongoing reliability improvement works carried out since 2016,” LTA added.
In a news release, LTA said the renewal works for BPLRT would involve the complete replacement of its existing signalling system to a new Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, which will allow for better ride quality, speed control and reliability.
The CBTC system has been installed on Singapore’s two oldest MRT lines, the North-South and East-West lines, and trials are currently underway.
The 19 LRT vehicles that have been with the BPLRT since it started operations in 1999 will also be replaced. An additional 13 vehicles that joined the line in 2015 will be upgraded as well.
The power rail, which spans 7.8km along the entire network, will also be replaced with an enhanced version.
According to the LTA, most of the renewal works on the BPLRT will take place after the end of normal service hours. It will also be working with Bombardier to provide long-term service support for the LRT line for the next 10 years.
“This contract will allow Bombardier to provide more expedient technical and logistic support as well as spares supply to BPLRT,” the LTA said on Wednesday.
“Bombardier will also provide training for BPLRT maintenance staff and crew to build up expertise and improve the maintenance regime for the new system,” it added.
Mr Khaw described the BPLRT system last September as an “afterthought” that was built under “political pressure”, resulting in a design that makes for uncomfortable rides.
“No LRT is designed that way, in such a masochistic manner, where you force yourself up and down, twist and turn,” he had said then, adding that the few occasions he had taken the LRT left him dizzy.
Mr Khaw later said that the authorities were mulling over whether or not to shut the network down for major upgrading works.
But he said that he would be “hard put” to take this decision, because it could mean residents going without the LRT service for three years.
