Bukit Panjang LRT Line

Bukit Panjang LRT Line
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.

BPLRT services currently 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) was 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.

Service A was later partially resumed between 11.00 am to 1.00pm and 5.00pm to 7.00pm on Saturdays from 16 March 2024 & Sundays from 30 June 2024, while remaining suspended during Public Holidays. Service A was fully resumed on Weekends & Public Holidays from 28 September 2024.

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 A will be suspended during weekday off-peak hours (from 1 Dec 2019) between 9:00am – 5:00pm & from 8:00pm to End of Service.

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.

Stations

• BP1NS4  Choa Chu Kang
• BP2  South View
• BP3   Keat Hong
• BP4  Teck Whye
• BP5  Phoenix
• BP6–DT1  Bukit Panjang
• BP7  Petir
• BP8  Pending
• BP9  Bangkit
• BP10  Fajar
• BP11  Segar
• BP12  Jelapang
• BP13  Senja

Former Station

• BP14  Ten Mile Junction

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).

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 power 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.

These third-generation trains commenced passenger service on 1 August 2024.

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

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.

• Eye on the Future: Options for replacing or renewing the BPLRT system – SMRT Blog
• Scrapping Bukit Panjang LRT not feasible: Khaw – Straits Times
• Parliament: Bukit Panjang LRT to get complete overhaul and upgrading – Straits Times

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.

• Speech by Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Sustaining Rail Reliability – Ministry of Transport

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

Gallery

External Links & References:

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