Singapore to renew Bukit Panjang LRT for $344.25m

The 19-year-old light rail vehicles will be replaced whilst the two-year-old LRVs will be upgraded.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) awarded a contract to renew the Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) system to its original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Bombardier (Singapore) at a cost of $344.25m. The renewal works will commence in the first half of 2018 and rides could start operating by 2022.

In a Committee of Supply debate, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the renovation is part of enhanced maintenance and renewals for all other MRT and LRT lines, which are at different stages of their lives. “The Bukit Panjang LRT, in particular, is reaching the end of its useful life,” he added.

According to a press release, the contract was awarded to Bombardier as it demonstrated that it would be able to renew the BPLRT system with minimal disruption to existing services. “The completion timeline for the renewal will also be shorter than other suppliers. As the BPLRT’s OEM, Bombardier is also familiar with the current system and has built up experience from ongoing reliability improvement works carried out since 2016,” the LTA said.

Chua Chong Kheng, LTA deputy chief executive for Infrastructure and Development said, “Bombardier’s proposal does not require any modification to existing infrastructure and minimal disruption to rail services and hence, met our specifications. When the majority of works are completed by 2022, residents and commuters will be able to experience improvements in overall reliability and smoother train rides.”

According to LTA, the renewal contract covers the replacement of the existing signalling system with a Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system. The 19 Light Rapid Vehicles (LRVs) that have been in use since the BPLRT commenced passenger service in 1999 will also be replaced with new and improved vehicles. In addition, the 13 LRVs that were introduced into service in 2015 will be upgraded with the new CBTC signalling system.

The power rail which runs along the entire 7.8km length of the BPLRT will also be replaced with an enhanced version. The renewed BPLRT will be equipped with condition monitoring capabilities to support system analytics and predictive maintenance over the life cycle of the system

LTA said commuters will be able to experience improved reliability and a smoother travel experience on the BPLRT from 2022 once the CBTC system has been fully rolled out and the new LRVs deployed. Other renewal works such as the replacement of power rails and the decommissioning of the legacy signalling track circuits will continue, with final works expected to be completed by 2024.

“Most of these works will be carried out during engineering hours with minimal disruption to passenger service. Where required, engineering hours will be extended to provide more time for these works to be carried out. Residents may experience some noise and dust during the renewal works. LTA will work with Bombardier to minimise these inconveniences, and we seek residents’ understanding as we strive to improve the BPLRT system,” it added.

The SMRT will also trial a new arrangement by engaging Bombardier to provide a long-term service support for the BPLRT system 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. Bombardier will also provide training for BPLRT maintenance staff and crew to build up expertise and improve the maintenance regime for the new system,” LTA said.

Moreover, Service C, which currently links the BPLRT to Junction 10, will cease operations permanently from the fourth quarter of this year. This will provide LTA and Bombardier with additional space to conduct the renewal works of the BPLRT system. More information will be provided to commuters and residents ahead of time.