Communications Systems for Older Train Lines To Be Upgraded

The communications systems on the North-South Line (NSL), East-West Line (EWL) and Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) will be renewed and modernised.

Last Thursday (Sep 2), the consortium between ST Engineering and Siemens Mobility announced in a joint statement that it has won a S$180 million contract for the renewal programme.

Communications Systems on Rail Lines

The consortium said that communications systems on rail lines serve as the digital backbone and are integral to smooth rail operations.

It added that communications systems are the interface between various components and systems in trains and at stations.

Renewal Programme for NSEWL and BPLRT

The renewal and modernisation works will cover 75 locations, comprising of stations, interchanges, on-line substations, depots and control centres.

Existing communications systems on the NSEWL and BPLRT will be replaced and upgraded, the consortium mentioning that it is “the first of its scale since the lines commenced operations more than 20 years ago.”

The first five stations for NSEWL commenced service in 1987 (34 years ago), while BPLRT first opened in 1999 (22 years ago).

The renewed communications systems will be fully operational in 2029.

ST Engineering & Siemens Mobility Consortium

Chew Men Leong, President of Urban Solutions at ST Engineering said that the “NSEWL and BPLRT are the most heavily utilised lines in Singapore’s rail network.”

He added that together with partner Siemens Mobility, they aim to provide “deep technical and domain expertise to ensure zero disruption while deploying the new communications systems to the existing systems and train services”

Michel Obadia, CEO of Siemens Mobility Asia Pacific mentioned that the “joint team leverages the proven expertise and track records in communications systems to deliver a highly reliable solution for the iconic North-South and East-West Lines and the Bukit Panjang LRT.”

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Related Links
North-South Line – SGTrains
East-West Line – SGTrains
Bukit Panjang LRT – SGTrains

External Links
ST Engineering and Siemens Mobility Consortium Wins $180m Contract to Modernise Communications System for Singapore’s Rail Lines – ST Engineering [Accessed 08 Sep 2021]
Communications systems for North-South, East-West lines and Bukit Panjang LRT to be upgraded – The Straits Times [Accessed 08 Sep 2021]
ST Engineering, Siemens Mobility win S$180m contract to renew communications system for Singapore’s rail lines – The Business Times [Accessed 08 Sep 2021]

Image adapted from Everyday basics/Unsplash
Communications device in thumbnail for illustrative purposes