Marking the start of a new year, let’s check out what 2024 has in store for public transport!
New Rail Lines
The Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 4 (TEL4) will open in 2024, featuring seven new stations – Tanjong Rhu, Katong Park, Tanjong Katong, Marine Parade, Marine Terrace, Siglap and Bayshore. Construction is nearly complete, and train testing is underway. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) anticipates handing over the stations to SMRT in early 2024, and once operational, will further extend the TEL network to 32 stations across 43 kilometres.
The North East Line extension (NELe), connecting Punggol MRT station to the new Punggol Coast MRT Station, will also open. The 1.6-kilometre extension will serve the upcoming Punggol Digital District.
In addition to ongoing works on the Jurong Region Line (JRL) and Cross Island Line (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 along CRL Phase 2 will also be awarded in 2024.
New Trains
The delivery of Hyundai Rotem J151 trains for the Jurong Region Line is anticipated to begin this year. 62 trains, each consisting of three cars, have been ordered.
LRT trains will also be delivered to both the Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) and Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SKPGLRT) lines. Two Alstom Innovia APM 300R (C801B) trains will be delivered to the BPLRT in 2024, and as part of ongoing BPLRT renewal works, CBTC signalling will be gradually rolled out to more second-generation APM 100 trains this year.
As for the SKPGLRT, delivery of two-car Mitsubishi Crystal Mover (C810D) trains will commence this year, replacing existing single-car trains. To support the larger fleet, LTA is currently expanding Sengkang Depot and plans to separate the stopping locations for East and West loop trains at Sengkang LRT station.
Other Rail Projects
The Pasir Ris Rail Turnback will open in 2024 (originally slated for 2023). The new turnback is expected to speed up the turnaround of EWL trains, allowing for a 20 per cent increase in the number of trains running during peak hours, from 30 trains per hour previously, to 36 trains per hour. [Link]
Noise barriers have also been installed across the NSEWL since 2013. The ongoing third phase, which involves 5.5 kilometres of noise barriers across 16 locations, is due for completion in 2024 (originally slated for 2023). When completed, a total of 27 kilometres of noise barriers will have been installed at 60 locations along the NSEWL. [Link]
Construction of a new platform and additional rail viaducts at Tanah Merah station (Contract T315) was projected to be completed in 2024, but will likely be delayed.
Finally, Circle Line Single Platform Service between Telok Blangah & HarbourFront Stations will take place between Jan and May 2024 to facilitate CCL6 integration works.
New 3-door Electric Buses
As the Government aims for 1 in 2 public buses to be electric by 2030, this bold electrification target has set the stage for a rapid intake of electric buses over the next few years.
New electric buses supplied by BYD and Zhongtong will be progressively deployed for passenger service starting in December 2024. Both firms were awarded a combined S$166.4 million contract for 360 new electric single-deck buses in 2023.
Several new electric demonstrator bus models could also enter revenue service trials in 2024, as more bus manufacturers aim to establish a presence in Singapore in line with LTA’s aggressive bus electrification rollout:
- BYD B12A03 (SG4013A)
- Scania 2-door Electric Bus for Singapore (TBC)
Retiring Buses
In 2024, SBS Transit’s Scania K230UB (Euro IV Batch 1) buses will be fully retired. A total of 101 buses, registered in 2007, will reach their 17-year statutory lifespan by 26 December 2024. Additionally, the sole Volvo B7RLE in SBS Transit’s fleet, SBS8030L, is also set to reach its statutory lifespan on 17 December 2024; however, this bus has not been seen for an extended period.
Bus Contracting
The LTA called a tender for the Seletar Bus Package last year, and is expected to be awarded later in 2024. The Seletar Package is currently up for its second tendered term.
Following the awarding of the Bukit Merah and Jurong West Bus Packages to SBS Transit and SMRT Buses respectively, the Jurong West Bus Package will change hands from SBS Transit to SMRT Buses. Soon Lee Bus Depot will be handed over to SMRT, along with 26 bus routes operating out of Boon Lay, Joo Koon and Tuas.
New Bus Depots
Construction of Sengkang West Bus Depot and Gali Batu Bus Depot are expected to be completed in 2024. Both depots will also be outfitted with charging piles to support LTA’s purchase of 360 new electric buses.
New Bus Interchanges
Construction of Bidadari Bus Interchange, Buangkok Integrated Transport Hub and Tengah Bus Interchange are substantially complete. However, no firm opening dates have been set for these bus interchanges, all of which have encountered construction delays.
Miscellaneous
- SBS Transit will open a new Bus Captain Training and Certification Centre at Ulu Pandan Bus Depot [Link]
- SBS Transit will open a ‘bike village’ near Punggol MRT station by end-2024 [Link]
- SBS Transit and SMRT Buses will install condition monitoring systems on all their buses by 2024 [Link]
- EZ-Link and TransitLink will be fully merged into SimplyGo Pte Ltd by the 2nd half of 2024, and Student Concession cards will also be eligible for SimplyGo [Link]
Regarding Jurong Region Line,
SMRT may potentially win the operating right because: With its experience, and furthermore with Taipei Meteo tie-up, it can and will implement cutting-edge solutions for operations and maintenance, which is especially applicable to Jurong Region Line’s unique layout and environment.
SBS Transit may potentially win the operating right because: It may present a more economical or efficient operational plan. Also, if SBS operates JRL, it would reduce SMRT’s dominating share on the Singapore MRT network (just like how it won NEL and DTL previously).
However, considering Jurong Region Line passes through upcoming areas like Tengah, Jurong Innovation District and Jurong Lake District, the government may want to use Jurong Region Line to complement the technology and innovation of those upcoming areas, rather than expanding SBS Transit’s territory.
This is especially since now 2024 already, and people are emphasising less on money but more on meaning.
Jurong Region Line is Singapore’s golden chance to exhibit technology and innovation, considering the unique layout and environment.
Therefore, there is a high chance that SMRT will win the Jurong Region Line operating right.
In return, SBS Transit can get the Cross Island Line to expand their territory, and still achieve an overall reduction of SMRT’s share in the MRT network and promote MRT competition.
If SMRT wins the Jurong Region Line operating right, it would not only complement the technology and Innovation of the upcoming areas. It would also break the current pattern of SBS win one line, SMRT win the next line, that is currently observed with the recently opened MRT lines:
NEL (SBS), CCL (SMRT), DTL (SBS), TEL (SMRT).
I mean, let’s just break the current pattern, and focus on technology and Innovation instead.
With that, I have completed my analysis. Let’s wait for the announcement, to see who gets to operate the Jurong Region Line and who gets to operate the Cross Island Line.
SBST signed a MOU with Hyundai Rotem earlier this year, so it may end up operating JRL since JRL trains are made by Hyundai Rotem.
I dare to say that people staying near the Tanah Merah station have been enduring the unbearable noise from the MRT travelling to and from Simei. We hope that the Authority will extend the sound bearer to cover these tracks and to replace the parts of the track as well as the wheels of the MRT to reduce the noise level.
While the vibe seems inclined towards train network & electric buses. A little old school here, hope bus network can continue to improve progressively. And also see new interchanges opened up this year with fair mix of bus services rather than just 1-2 routes.