Bukit Panjang LRT upgrades improve reliability after nearly eight years of work

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (LRT) system has seen improved reliability following nearly eight years of upgrades to its trains, signalling and power systems, Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said during a visit to the Bukit Panjang LRT depot.

In a social media post, Siow said the upgrades marked an important milestone in efforts to improve rail reliability, benefiting residents in western Singapore, particularly those living in Bukit Panjang and Chua Chu Kang.

He added that reliability across Singapore’s MRT and LRT networks had also improved in recent years, supported by ongoing efforts to maintain and upgrade the rail system.

MRT reliability exceeds 3 million mean kilometres between failures

Siow said Singapore had been publishing monthly reliability data for its MRT and LRT networks since last year to provide commuters with greater visibility into rail performance.

In September, the MRT network’s mean kilometres between failures (MKBF) exceeded three million for the first time, reflecting a sustained period of improved performance.

However, Siow noted that further improvements in the reliability figures could become more limited as some rail lines approach their theoretical maximum performance.

He cautioned that disruptions and delays would still occur from time to time, despite the progress made.

“We will do our best to minimise these situations, and we appreciate the understanding of our commuters when they happen,” he said.

Rail workers credited for reliability improvements

Siow credited rail workers for the progress, highlighting their efforts to keep Singapore’s public transport system running smoothly, often working overnight to prepare services for the following day.

He also acknowledged the work carried out during the ongoing haze period, expressing pride in the dedication of the rail workforce.

Siow thanked SMRT, SBS Transit (SBST) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for their cooperation in improving rail reliability under the One Transport Team approach.

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