2023 in review and upcoming initiatives that commuters can look forward to

           Singapore’s rail network serves over 3 million rides each day. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is continuously expanding the rail system, preserving rail reliability, and enhancing commuter infrastructure to strengthen the connectivity and resilience of our rail network.

Expanding and Enhancing the Rail Network

2          This year, we crossed several major milestones in rail expansion with the commencement of construction for the Jurong Region Line (JRL), Cross Island Line (CRL) Phase 1 and Cross Island Line - Punggol Extension. When completed, they will add 40 new stations to our network, bringing greater connectivity and convenience to commuters.

3          The construction of the Johor Bahru – Singapore Rapid Transit System Link saw good progress, with the project remaining on track for commencing passenger service by the end of 2026. We also completed the construction of Phase 1 of the Singapore Rail Test Centre, Southeast Asia’s first train testing facility, and the first two new trains for Circle Line Stage 6 are currently undergoing testing and commissioning works at the centre.

4          We have also been enhancing our existing lines. This year, we completed the renewal of the North-South and East-West Line’s (NSEWL) six core systems (track circuit, power supply, third rail, new signalling system, sleeper replacement, new generation trains), concluding a major effort that began in 2012. The system renewals will significantly improve the reliability of the NSEWL. System upgrading works on the Circle Line are also ongoing, together with integration works for the upcoming Circle Line Stage 6.

5          The first ten of 106 new trains and six new trains have also joined the NSEWL and North East Line (NEL) fleet respectively. Concurrently, the first generation of trains on the NEL are undergoing mid-life upgrades. These new and refurbished trains will be equipped with improved systems that allow for more timely and efficient maintenance.

Improving the LRT network for growing neighbourhoods

6              To serve the growing number of residents in Sengkang and Punggol towns, the Sengkang Punggol LRT fleet will be boosted by the progressive delivery of 25 new two-car trains from next year onwards, to replace the existing, older trains. To support the larger fleet, LTA is currently expanding Sengkang Depot. To improve commuter flow during boarding and alighting, enhancements will also be made at Sengkang LRT station, with designated platforms for East and West loops, and two train-stopping locations per platform.

7              Two new trains for the Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) will arrive in 2024 and enter passenger service after they have completed the necessary tests. These are among the 19 new trains replacing the first-generation vehicles that have been in service since 1999. In addition, the 13 second-generation vehicles introduced in 2015 are being upgraded in tandem with the new Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system. Two of these 13 vehicles had completed the upgrade and re-entered passenger service earlier this year. Together, these enhancements will improve the commuter experience for the BPLRT.

Looking ahead: Expansion of rail network

8          Commuters can also look forward to new rail connections in 2024:

• Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 4 (TEL4), with seven new stations – Tanjong Rhu, Katong Park, Tanjong Katong, Marine Parade, Marine Terrace, Siglap and Bayshore, will open, enhancing connectivity in the east. Works on these stations have been substantially completed. Train testing is ongoing on TEL4 and the stations will be progressively handed over to the operator SMRT early next year. Following this, SMRT will conduct their trial running activities before the commencement of passenger service.
  
• The North East Line extension (NELe), connecting Punggol MRT station to the new Punggol Coast MRT station, will also open. Structural works for the new station and tunnels are substantially completed, with station fitting-out and electrical and mechanical installation works ongoing.    
  

9          In addition to ongoing works on the JRL and CRL, construction works on King Albert Park, Clementi and West Coast stations on CRL Phase 2 are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2024. The construction tenders for the remaining three stations will be awarded in 2024.

10      By 2030, these efforts to grow the network will result in the addition of more than 50 new stations to the 200 MRT and LRT stations in use today, and expand the length of our rail network from about 258 km today to more than 330 km by 2030.

11        LTA will continue to invest in the improvement of our rail network, to bring more comfortable journeys to commuters. The completion of TEL, JRL and CRL will bring us closer to our aim of expanding the rail network to about 360 km by 2030s, with eight in 10 households within 10 minutes of a train station.