The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded a contract for the supply of 44 six-car trains for the Cross Island Line (CRL) to the consortium of CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd and Singapore CRRC Sifang Railway Vehicles Service Pte. Ltd (CRRC Sifang).
2 The contract, valued at $589 million, includes the option to procure up to 11 additional trains as well as the option for provision of Long-Term Service Support (LTSS). The new fleet of fully automated CRL trains will be wholly designed and manufactured by CRRC Sifang in Qingdao, China. The trains are expected to be delivered progressively from 2027, in time for commencement of CRL Phase 1 operations in 2030.
3 Similar to the trains for the Thomson-East Coast Line, each car on the new train will have five doors on each side. To improve accessibility within the train, the gangways between CRL train cars will be wider, at 1.6 metres compared to the 1.4 metres on our other train lines.
4 The new trains will be powered by a 1500V D.C. Overhead Conductor Rail (OCR) system, which will increase energy efficiency compared to a typical 750V D.C. third rail system. To enhance operations and maintenance, the CRL trains will include condition monitoring and diagnostic systems for early detection of potential equipment faults. Some trains will also be equipped with an Automated Track Inspection system to monitor the condition of the running rail and OCR in real time.
5 CRRC Sifang has previously supplied trains for Singapore’s North-South-East-West Line and Thomson-East Coast Line, through a consortium formed with Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing. CRRC Sifang also has an established track record internationally, having supplied trains to Beijing, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Chicago and Sao Paulo.
About the CRL
6 The CRL is Singapore’s eighth MRT line. It will serve existing and future developments in the eastern, north-eastern and western corridors, linking major hubs such as Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District and Changi region. The CRL will have almost half of its stations as interchanges with other rail lines, making it easier and more convenient for commuters to travel across the rail network.
