To enhance the reliability of our Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the public transport operators have embarked on a series of renewal and improvement works for both the Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) and the Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SPLRT) systems. These works will take place over the next few years.
Completion of New Power Supply for BPLRT
2. LTA has commenced renewal and improvement works for key BPLRT systems. Notably, works to install a new power supply intake source for the BPLRT at Junction 10 substation have been completed last week. The existing power supply intake source at Choa Chu Kang MRT substation will be retained as a back-up. This added redundancy will enhance the reliability and availability of the power supply system, as well as the BPLRT services that rely on it.
Replacement and Renewal of Other Major BPLRT Systems
3. LTA will also be awarding a contract in early 2018 for the replacement and renewal of other major BPLRT systems. More details on the timeline for renewal, and any late opening or early closure arrangements, will be announced later.
Enhanced Preventive Maintenance of SPLRT Systems
4. To improve the reliability of the SPLRT, SBS Transit (SBST) will carry out enhanced preventive maintenance. This is in addition to asset renewal works which are scheduled to be completed in 2022. The asset renewals include replacement of the SPLRT’s power rail and power rail assemblies, while maintenance works will be carried out on the signalling switch machines and cables.
5. The enhanced preventive maintenance works include the progressive replacement of viaduct bearings and the strengthening of the crossheads that support the SPLRT viaducts. Cracks were discovered on some of the crossheads during regular inspections. LTA has assessed that these cracks do not compromise the load-bearing capacity of the crossheads and pose no safety risk to commuters. Nevertheless, LTA intends to rectify the cracks as a precautionary measure. These works will be completed by 2020.
Limited Services on parts of SPLRT on Sunday Mornings from 14 Jan 2018
6. Enhanced preventive maintenance and asset renewal works will require additional engineering time. To expedite the works and bring forward improvements in reliability for SPLRT commuters, certain parts of the SPLRT will be affected by limited services on Sunday mornings from 14 Jan 2018 onwards. During this period, all SPLRT stations will continue to open at 5.30am. However, from 5.30am to 7.00am, there will only be train services on one platform, with the other platform opening from 7.00am onwards (i.e. one-directional services). See Annex A for a list of affected dates and service directions.
7. SBST will increase the frequency of train services on the unaffected platform to cope with the expected increase in passengers. However, some commuters may experience longer travel times as a result of the limited services.
8. LTA will regularly review the progress of the works and adjust the operating time for SPLRT services accordingly. We will inform the public of any changes in advance to facilitate journey planning.
Increase in LRT reliability
9. The Mean Kilometres Between Failure (MKBF) for the overall LRT network has increased to 70,000 car-km for the first three quarters of 2017, up from 49,000 car-km for the whole of 2016. Both the BPLRT and SPLRT clocked increases in MKBF, with the SPLRT achieving a larger increase of 34,000 car-km, from 72,000 car-km to 106,000 car-km. LTA will continue to work closely with the operators to further improve the LRT system and raise its reliability.
10. LTA’s Deputy Chief Executive for Infrastructure and Development Mr Chua Chong Kheng said: “LTA is working closely with the rail operators to carry out extensive works to renew and upgrade our LRT systems and to improve system reliability. We appreciate commuters’ understanding as we require more maintenance hours to carry out these works. With the completion of these renewal works, commuters can expect more reliable journeys.”
Annex: List of affected dates and service directions
