Bukit Panjang LRT Line

  Bukit Panjang LRT Line  
A typical BPLRT station
A typical BPLRT station
Type Light Rail Transit
Station Count 13
Line length 7.8km
Termini Choa Chu Kang
Depot Ten Mile Junction
Operational Data
Operator SMRT Trains
Rolling stock Bombardier Innovia APM 100 (C801)
Bombardier Innovia APM 100 (C801A)
Alstom Innovia APM300 (C801B)
Electrification 600V AC power rail
Track gauge Central guideway with rubber tyres
Opened 6 Nov 1999

The Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) is a light rail line serving residential estates within Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang. The 7.8-kilometre network first opened on 6 November 1999, and is the first driverless and fully-automated train system in Singapore. The line uses APM 100 rubber-tyred automated people movers and guideway technology supplied by Alstom (previously Bombardier), operating in single-car and double-car arrangements.

Unlike other train lines in Singapore, the Bukit Panjang LRT uses Service Letters to indicate its direction of travel and destination. This is due to the unique, non-linear shape of the line, which branches out at Bukit Panjang Station. Trains travelling from Choa Chu Kang will split directions at Bukit Panjang station, making either a clockwise or anti-clockwise loop before returning to Bukit Panjang station.

The Bukit Panjang LRT was developed to extend the reach of the MRT network closer to residents with stations situated within the Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang neighbourhood, connecting to the heavy-rail North South Line and Downtown Lines. It also complements existing trunk and feeder bus services within the two estates.

The BPLRT will end earlier at 11:30pm daily to facilitate renewal works from 13 January 2019. Bus Services 920, 922, 973 & 974 are extended to about 1:00 am to support the change in operating hours.

In addition, Service A (via Senja) will be adjusted to operate only during Weekday Peak Hours, except Public Holidays (Start of Service – 9.00 am & 5.00 pm – 8.00 pm) from 1 December 2019.

From 16 March 2024, Service A will resume operations on Saturdays as well, between 11.00 am to 1.00pm and 5.00pm to 7.00pm.

Train Services

The BPLRT operates with two routes, namely Service A and B.

Both Services A and B start from Choa Chu Kang, and upon reaching Bukit Panjang station, Service A will travel around Bukit Panjang estate in a clockwise fashion via Senja station, while Service B travels the counter-clockwise loop via Petir station. Both will meet up and Bukit Panjang and continue towards Choa Chu Kang where they terminate.

Service Terminus via Notes
A Choa Chu Kang Bukit Panjang & Senja (Clockwise loop) Weekdays
First Train – 09:00 & 17:00 – 20:00
Saturdays
11:00 – 13:00 & 17:00 – 19:00
B Choa Chu Kang Bukit Panjang & Petir (Counter-Clockwise loop) Full Day

Service A will be suspended during off-peak hours as follows:

  • Weekdays: 9.00am – 5.00pm & 8.00pm – 11.30pm [From 1 Dec 2019]
  • Saturdays: First Train – 11.00am, 1.00pm – 5.00pm & 7.00pm – Last Train [Updated hours from 16 Mar 2024]
  • Sundays / Public Holidays: Whole Day [From 1 Dec 2019]

Main Article: Reduced Operations of Bukit Panjang LRT during Off-Peak Periods from 1 Dec 2019

Service C (Withdrawn)

Service C was a supplementary service that started and ended at Ten Mile Junction station via the Bukit Panjang loop. It operated every 20 minutes and looped within the Bukit Panjang estate in a clockwise direction similar to Service A.

Service C operated between 10.00 am and 11.10 pm daily. It suspended operations between 4.15 pm and 9.15 pm on Weekdays, and operated continuously on Weekends and Public Holidays.

Service C was discontinued, along with the permanent closure of Ten Mile Junction station on 13 January 2019 as part of the revised BPLRT operating hours for the BPLRT Overhaul works.

Service Terminus via Notes
C Ten Mile Junction Bukit Panjang & Senja (Clockwise loop) Every 20mins

 

Diagram of LRT services A, B and C. The station codes have since been changed.
Diagram of LRT services A, B and C. The station codes have since been changed.

 

Stations

Former Station

Rolling Stock

The Bukit Panjang LRT uses the Adtranz CX-100 (later renamed Innovia APM 100) guideway and rolling stock. An initial 19 trainsets were delivered in 1999 under Contract 801, which bear a turquoise livery. An additional 13 trainsets were ordered in 2014 under Contract 801A, bearing SMRT’s pixel livery and a slightly different exterior design.

These trains, also known as automated people movers, are rubber-tyred for minimised operating noise within built-up areas and follow a central guideway that also contains a power rail. Apart from operating as single cars, they can be paired up in double-car arrangements with another car of a similar model (i.e. train models are not cross-coupled).

Train Introduced Quantity Remarks
Bombardier Innovia APM 100 (C801) 1999 19 1st-generation trains; due for replacement by APM 300 vehicles
Bombardier Innovia APM 100 (C801A) 2014-15 13 2nd-generation trains used for fleet expansion
Alstom Innovia APM 300R (C801B) ~2020
(delayed)
19 3rd generation trains replacing C801 trains, with CBTC signalling and condition monitoring features

19 Alstom Innovia APM 300R trains were also procured under Contract 801B as part of the Bukit Panjang LRT Overhaul (initially awarded to Bombardier prior to Alstom acquisition). These trains were built to be compatible with the legacy guideway used by the Bukit Panjang LRT; the latest Innovia APM 300 system uses a different guideway design that incorporates a DC powee rail. The new trains were also equipped with a Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system and would gradually replace the first generation C801 trains.

Upgrades

In 2018, all stations along the Bukit Panjang LRT were completely fitted with fixed, half-height platform barriers in an effort to improve commuter safety. Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang stations were the first to be installed with these barriers in 2015, in anticipation of higher commuter traffic with the opening of Downtown Line 2.

In addition, ceiling fans were installed to keep commuters cool at platforms.


Bukit Panjang LRT Overhaul

Bombardier Innovia APM 100 (C801A) - Approaching Bangkit Station
Bombardier Innovia APM 100 (C801A) – Approaching Bangkit Station

An overhaul of the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) Line was awarded to Bombardier (Singapore) for S$344.25 million on 7 March 2018. The contract covers new trains, power rails, signalling system and various other critical components to renew the ageing LRT system, which has been in operation since 1999 and is reaching the end of its useful life.

Bombardier, who is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the Innovia APM system deployed on the BPLRT, demonstrated that it would be able to renew the line with minimal disruption to existing services. The company is highly familiar with the current system, having gained experience from ongoing reliability improvement works carried out since 2016. It also promised a shorter completion timeline for renewal work, as compared to other suppliers.

Renewal work began in the first half of 2018 and is expected to be completed in 2026 (delayed from 2024).

As part of the overhaul works, Ten Mile Junction station is slated to be closed from 13 January 2019 to provide LTA and Bombardier with additional space to conduct the renewal work of the BPLRT system.

Check out the main article: Bukit Panjang LRT Overhaul for more information.


Possible Off-Peak Suspension of Service

During Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan’s visit to Sengkang Depot on 30 August 2019, he revealed that SMRT is studying the suspension of the Bukit Panjang LRT Line during off peak periods and replacing the service with buses.

See Also: Reduced Operations of Bukit Panjang LRT during Off-Peak Periods from 1 Dec 2019


Gallery


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