Bukit Panjang LRT line

In November 1994, then-Communication Minister Mah Bow Tan announced that the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC) was conducting studies on the feasibility of a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in the estate of Bukit Panjang.{{cite news |last=Chan Teik |first=Leong |date=2 November 1994 |title=Studies on more extensive train network soon |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19941204-1.2.2 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=22 April 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=1 }} Subsequently, Bukit Panjang was one of the two locations selected for the construction of the first LRT systems in Singapore in December 1994, the other being at Queenstown and linked to Buona Vista MRT station, the latter of which was eventually not built.{{cite news |last=Leong |first=Chan Teik |date=4 December 1994 |title=Green light for Light Rail system |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19941204-1.2.2 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=22 April 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=1 }} The tender for the design and construction of the LRT system in Bukit Panjang were called in December 1994, receiving eight bids.{{cite news |author= |date=29 June 1995 |title=Keppel tie-up puts in lowest bids for LRT jobs |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19950629-1.2.58.8 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=22 April 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=38 }}

In February 1996, then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong announced that an LRT system in Bukit Panjang had been given the go-ahead, and was expected to be completed in three years.{{cite news |last=Lim |first=Yvonne |date= |title=Bukit Panjang LRT ready in 3 years |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newpaper19960210-1.2.3 |work=New Paper |location=Singapore |access-date=22 April 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=2}} An exhibition about the system was organised by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in April 1996, featuring models and maps of the stations on the line, and a booth at which visitors could vote for the colours of the rolling stock, and the shape of the station roofs.{{cite news |author= |date=7 April 1996 |title=Bukit Panjang LRT Exhibition to prepare commuters |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19960407-1.2.33.8 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=22 April 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=22 }} In the same month, the contract for the system's design and construction was awarded to a consortium consisting of Keppel Corporation, Gammon, and Adtranz for {{SGD|285000000}}.{{cite news |last=Leong |first=Chan Teik |date=13 April 1996 |title=$285 m contract for LRT system signed |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19960413-1.2.2 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=22 April 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=1 }}

On 5 August 1997, the LTA awarded SMRT a license to operate the LRT due to its experience with the MRT system.{{cite news |last=Tan |first=Christopher |date=6 August 1997 |title=SMRT to operate first light rail transit line in Bukit Panjang |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19970806-1.2.9.8 |work=Business Times |location=Singapore |access-date=23 April 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=2 }} Testing on the line was underway by December 1998{{cite news |last=Fong |first=Tanya |date=3 December 1998 |title=Here's a preview of the LRT |work=The New Paper |location=Singapore |page=8 }} and it commenced operations on 6 November 1999.{{cite news |last=Kaur |first=Karamjit |date=17 October 1999 |title=LRT all set to roll |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=31 }}

Upon opening, the system suffered from reliability issues, having 32 service disruptions in its first six months of operation. Safety concerns regarding the system were also raised in Parliament{{cite news |author= |date=13 January 2001 |title=Light rail now more reliable, House told |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=H8 }} in the wake of a collision between two trains in November 2000 that injured five passengers.{{cite news |last=Koh |first=Leslie |date=20 November 2000 |title=Three hurt in train collision |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=1 }} Most of these issues were rectified by September 2001, and, by May 2002, the system was able to attain the government's desired service levels.{{cite news |author= |date=18 May 2002 |title=Steps taken to tackle LRT faults |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=H3 }}

However, a subsequent five-day service disruption in October 2002, caused by a loose guide wheel, led the LTA to conduct an audit on the maintenance procedures carried out for the line.{{cite news |last=Kaur |first=Karamjit |last2=Lee |first2=Bryan |date=22 November 2002 |title=Govt auditing maintenance system for LRT |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=H8 }} The audit found that the training and procedures for maintenance were adequate, but the actual maintenance work was not properly done,{{cite news |last=Kaur |first=Karamjit |date=14 January 2003 |title=LRT procedures fine but staff not doing it right |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=H7 }} and the LTA gave the line's operator, Singapore LRT, six months to rectify the lapses found in the audit.{{cite news |last=Kaur |first=Karamjit |date=21 January 2003 |title=SLRT given 6 months to shape up at Bukit Panjang |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=H2 }}

To rectify the issues with the system, Singapore LRT spent {{SGD|350000|link=on}} to replace worn-out wires in the line's signalling system, from December 2003 to April 2004. Service levels on the line had improved to adequate standards by 2003,{{cite news |last=Goh |first=Chin Lian |date=6 December 2003 |title=Shorter hours so LRT can be fixed |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=H1 }} but a subsequent disruption of service in May 2004 led to the line's operator initiating an internal probe into the matter.{{cite news |author= |date=30 May 2004 |title=LRT service probe |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=3 }}

Besides the reliability issues, the line was doing poorly financially, with Singapore LRT making annual losses of around {{SGD|2000000}} to {{SGD|3000000}}.{{cite news |last=Hooi |first=Alexis |date=12 March 2003 |title=LRT's runaway losses - up to $3m a year |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=H2 }} Ridership on the line was also low, with around 40,000 commuters daily, 10,000 less than needed to break even, and was not expected to increase further, given a development slowdown in Bukit Panjang.{{cite news |author= |date=6 December 2003 |title=Just not enough passengers |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=H1 }}

By 2010, ridership on the line had increased significantly, to around 47,000 commuters daily, and was expected to increase further. As the trains on the line had limited capacity to meet the demand, in November 2010, SMRT announced that they were contemplating capacity increases on the line.{{cite news |last=Goh |first=Chin Lian |date=17 November 2010 |title=More trains for Bukit Panjang LRT? |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=B10 }} These capacity increases, in the form of 13 additional train cars, and a supplementary bus service between heavily used stations on the line and Choa Chu Kang, were announced by then-Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew in July 2011.{{cite news |last=Barker |first=Victoria |date=29 July 2011 |title=Waiting times for Bt Panjang LRT to be cut / Bus service quality to be improved |work=My Paper |location=Singapore |page=A1,A2 }} In addition, SMRT contracted Bombardier to conduct a study on how to improve the line's reliability.{{cite news |last=Sim |first=Royston |date=17 January 2011 |title=Bt Panjang LRT to get reliability boost |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=B4 }} The new trains entered service on the line in 2015.{{cite news |last=Tan |first=Christopher |date=31 May 2022 |title=First of new trains for Bt Panjang LRT arrives, promising better reliability |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=A4 }}

In a bid to further improve reliability, in June 2015, the LTA and SMRT announced upgrades to the track, signalling systems, and electrical systems along the line, as faults in these areas had caused most of the service disruptions on the line.{{cite news |last=Lim |first=Adrian |date=26 June 2015 |title=Bukit Panjang LRT system will be upgraded to boost reliability |url= |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=A1 }} Later that month, Lui elaborated that the upgrades would comprise a 12-month study period to identify issues to rectify, and a several years long period in which the upgrades would be implemented. Additional staff were also deployed to improve service recovery{{cite news |last=Lim |first=Yan Liang |date=29 June 2015 |title='Mid-life overhaul' for Bukit Panjang LRT |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=A6 }} and platform barriers were installed at all stations along the line by 2017.{{cite news |last=Tan |first=Christopher |date=21 October 2015 |title=Platform barriers at all LRT stations by 2018 to prevent falls |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=A6 }}

In October 2016, as the line was approaching its 20-year design lifespan, LTA and SMRT announced that they were considering several courses of action regarding the system. These comprised the renewal of the existing system, or its complete replacement, either with a new system or with buses.{{cite news |last=Tan |first=Christopher |date=7 October 2016 |title=SMRT looking at options for Bukit Panjang LRT |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=A1 }} On 8 March 2017, it was announced that the system's power supply, signalling, rolling stock, track, and stations along with a new signalling system would be upgraded. The authorities ruled out scrapping the entire system or changing to automated guided vehicles drawn on self-power as it would cause major traffic congestion.{{Cite web|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/parliament-light-at-end-of-tunnel-for-problematic-bukit-panjang-lrt|title=Bukit Panjang LRT to be Upgraded to a New Conventional and Reliable LRT line|date=8 March 2017|publisher=The Straits Times|access-date=8 March 2017|archive-date=9 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309002536/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/parliament-light-at-end-of-tunnel-for-problematic-bukit-panjang-lrt|url-status=live}} On 3 October 2017, a tender for the revamp was called.{{Cite news|url=https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/tender-be-called-bukit-panjang-lrt-overhaul|title=Tender to be called for Bukit Panjang LRT overhaul|date=3 October 2017|access-date=15 November 2017|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115201549/http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/tender-be-called-bukit-panjang-lrt-overhaul|url-status=live}} To improve service reliability in the interim period, SMRT shortened operating hours on all Sundays from 12 November 2017 until the end of that year,{{Cite news|url=http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/bplrt-start-running-later-sundays-nov-12-renewal-works|title=BPLRT to start running later on Sundays from Nov 12 for renewal works|last=Cheng|first=Kenneth|date=23 October 2017|work=TODAY Online|access-date=|archive-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024104429/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/bplrt-start-running-later-sundays-nov-12-renewal-works|url-status=live}} which SMRT said allowed for additional time for maintenance.{{Cite news|url=http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/bukit-panjang-lrt-start-7am-every-sunday-till-year-end-facilitate-maintenance-work|title=Bukit Panjang LRT to start at 7am every Sunday till year end|date=11 November 2017|access-date=12 November 2017|archive-date=12 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112132412/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/bukit-panjang-lrt-start-7am-every-sunday-till-year-end-facilitate-maintenance-work|url-status=live}}

On 7 March 2018, LTA awarded the contract for $344 million to Bombardier, the original supplier of the rolling stock, to fully upgrade the system. This includes overhauling the line's signalling system with a communications-based train control (CBTC) system for a tighter headway between each train and thus, reducing waiting time. The 19 first-generation trains will be removed from service and replaced while the 13 second-generation trains will be refurbished.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=596bf603-1252-47ac-8ae9-e8e2f2a7f733|author=Land Transport Authority|access-date=10 March 2018|title=Awarding of contract to renew BPLRT|date=7 March 2018|archive-date=8 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231331/https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=596bf603-1252-47ac-8ae9-e8e2f2a7f733|url-status=live}} These upgrades are slated to be completed by 2026.{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/parliament-344m-overhaul-of-bukit-panjang-lrt-smoother-rides-expected-from-2022|title=Parliament: $344m overhaul of Bukit Panjang LRT; smoother rides expected from 2022|last=hermesauto|date=7 March 2018|website=The Straits Times|language=en|access-date=2 May 2019|archive-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502182701/https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/parliament-344m-overhaul-of-bukit-panjang-lrt-smoother-rides-expected-from-2022|url-status=live}}

Covering a distance of {{convert|8|km|miles}}, the fully elevated line has 13 stations, and connects Bukit Panjang with Choa Chu Kang MRT/LRT station.{{cite news |last=Kaur |first=Karamjit |date=26 July 1999 |title=Bukit Panjang LRT to begin operating on Nov 6 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=3 }} From Choa Chu Kang station, the line runs east along Choa Chu Kang Way and Choa Chu Kang Road, before making a loop around Bukit Panjang.

There are two services currently operating on the line: A and B, both of which terminate at Choa Chu Kang. Since 30 December 2024, Service A resumed full day operation on the weekdays.{{cite news |last=Khan |first=Fatmah |date=16 December 2024 |url=

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/bukit-panjang-lrt-to-resume-full-dual-loop-service-from-dec-30 |title=Bukit Panjang LRT to resume full dual-loop service on Dec 30 |work=The Straits Times |access-date=17 December 2024}}

All stations, except Choa Chu Kang, have two facing side platforms. Choa Chu Kang uses a Spanish solution, unique amongst Singapore MRT stations. All the stations on the LRT have half-height platform barriers, installed between 2016 and 2017. These platform barriers have fixed openings instead of platform doors, which the LTA attributed to insufficient space on the station platforms to install the equipment needed for platform doors. Choa Chu Kang station also has two additional platforms and a new set of fare gates to ease crowding during peak hours.

The stations on the line sport a conventional barrel-roof design, which was chosen by the Bukit Panjang residents when the BPLRT was being constructed.{{Cite news|title=Bukit Panjang's light rail system brings residents together years before it is to run|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19960929-1.2.40.4|work=The Straits Times|date=29 September 1996|access-date=2020-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026152206/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19960929-1.2.40.4|archive-date=26 October 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=First Light Rail Transit system {{!}} Infopedia|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_538_2005-01-05.html|website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg|access-date=2020-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026152142/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_538_2005-01-05.html|archive-date=2019-10-26|url-status=live}}

File:Singapore Bukit Panjang LRT System Map.png

The Bukit Panjang LRT operates on the Bombardier Innovia APM 100 rolling stock, similar to the ones used by the Changi Airport Skytrain until 2006. An initial 19 trainsets were delivered in 1999 under C801, which bear a cerulean livery. An additional 13 trainsets were delivered in 2014 under C801A, bearing SMRT's pixel livery and a slightly different exterior design. Each unit is {{convert|12.8|m|ftin|1|abbr=}} long.

These trains, also known as automated people movers, are rubber-tyred for minimised operating noise within built-up areas and guided by a central guideway which also contains a power rail. They operate in both single-car and double-car arrangements, paired with a similar model (C801 and C801A trainsets are not cross-coupled). The trains are also equipped with windows that fog up automatically when the train runs near residential buildings.{{cite news |author= |date=24 September 1997 |title=Foggy windows |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newpaper19970924-1.2.5.1 |work=The New Paper |location=Singapore |access-date=23 April 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=4 }}

19 Bombardier Innovia APM 300R trains have been procured under C801B as part of the Bukit Panjang LRT overhaul. These trains will be equipped with Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system and will replace the first generation C801 trains.

Between 1999 and 2015, the trains operated in one-car (M) formations throughout the day. Two-car formations were only operated during weekday peak hours to accommodate increased demand prior to the introduction of C801A trains in 2014. Service B used to operate 2-car sets only during weekday morning peak hours, while Service A mostly operated them during weekday evening peak hours.

From 2015 until 2019, the majority of trains operated in two-car (M-M) formations. Two-car formations were no longer limited to peak hours due to the increase in ridership and number of apartments in Bukit Panjang.

Since 2019, all of the trains are running in two-car (M-M) formations throughout the day. The units are limited to a two-car train formation because of station length. Coupling is usually done in Ten Mile Junction Depot and the trains are coupled with the same car type: C801 + C801 or C801A (non-CBTC) + C801A (non-CBTC) or C801A (CBTC) + C801A (CBTC) or C801B + C801B. Occasionally units are mixed for reasons such as rescue operations or testing.

The line is equipped with Bombardier's CITYFLO 550 fixed block signalling system for automatic train control (ATC) under automatic train operation (ATO) GoA 4 (UTO).{{Cite web |url=http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/projects/project.cityflo-singapore-singapore.html?f-region=asia-pacific |title=CITYFLO 550 - Singapore |access-date=28 June 2015 |archive-date=4 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704085546/http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/projects/project.cityflo-singapore-singapore.html?f-region=asia-pacific |url-status=live }} The subsystems consist of automatic train protection (ATP) to govern train speed, Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) to track and schedule trains, and a computer-based interlocking (CBI) system that prevents incorrect signal and track points settings.

When the Bombardier Innovia APM 300R C801B enter service, the line will be upgraded to use Alstom’s Cityflo 650 moving block communications-based train control (CBTC) signalling system.

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit Line}}

• [https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/bukit_panjang_lrt.html Bukit Panjang LRT line]

{{Singapore LRT stations|bukit-panjang=yes}}

{{Rail transport in Singapore}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bukit Panjang LRT line}}

Category:1999 establishments in Singapore

Category:Bukit Panjang

Category:Choa Chu Kang

Category:Innovia people movers

Category:Light Rail Transit (Singapore) lines

Category:Railway lines opened in 1999

Category:Automated guideway transit