2021 Year In Review – Singapore Train Network

2021 Year In Review – Singapore Train Network. (Graphic: SGTrains)

The year 2021 has been an eventful year for Singapore’s train network.

With the opening of six new stations, the network length has expanded from 230.5km to 243.5km – 164 train stations across six MRT and three LRT lines.

Read on to find out more about the rail developments that happened in 2021!

January 2021

Singapore-Johor Bahru RTS Link Groundbreaking

Artist impression of link bridge linking Singapore and Johor Bahru. (Photo: LTA)

The construction for the Rapid Transit System (RTS) linking Singapore and Johor Bahru (Malaysia) officially began following a groundbreaking ceremony held at Woodlands North in Singapore on Jan 22, 2021.

READ ARTICLE: Groundbreaking for Singapore-Johor Bahru RTS Link »

February 2021

New Light Rail Vehicles for Sengkang-Punggol LRT

A double-carriage Light Rail Vehicle for the Sengkang-Punggol LRT. (Photo: SGTrains FIle)

17 new two-car trains were procured to boost the capacity of the Sengkang–Punggol LRT, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Feb 5, 2021.

The new train cars are expected to be delivered progressively from 2024 to 2027.

March 2021

Construction Begins for the Integrated Train Testing Centre

Artist Impression of the three test tracks housed in the ITTC. (Photo: LTA)

The Integrated Train Testing Centre (ITTC) has commenced civil construction works with a groundbreaking ceremony on Mar 17, 2021.

The ITTC will commence operations in two phases, the first is targeted to complete in Q4 2022 and will include the construction of the high-speed test track.

The facility will be fully completed and fully operational by end-2024, with the completion of the two remaining looped test tracks, the Administration Building, Operations Control Centre (OCC) and workshops.

The first of its kind in Southeast Asia, the ITTC will have a dedicated facility that will be equipped to perform robust integrated systems testing for new and existing MRT lines.

READ ARTICLE: Singapore’s Integrated Train Testing Centre to be Completed in 2024 »

April 2021

Retrofitted Bukit Panjang Light Rail Vehicle Arrives in Singapore

A Bombardier INNOVIA C801A vehicle stabling at a work site beside Junction 10 Shopping Mall. (Photo: SGTrains)

Two sets of retrofitted Bukit Panjang Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) arrived in Singapore from New Jersey (USA) on Apr 2, 2021, as part of the Bukit Panjang LRT system renewal.

READ ARTICLE: Retrofitted Bukit Panjang Light Rail Vehicle arrives in Singapore »

Delivery of New Third-generation Trains for North East Line

The Alstom Metropolis C851E (NEL) train for the North East Line (NEL) being delivered to Sengkang Depot. (Photo: SGTrains)

The first of six third-generation North East Line (NEL) trains arrived in Singapore on Apr 4, 2021.

LTA awarded Alstom the contract to build and design six Alstom Metropolis C851E (NEL) trains in April 2018, under modified contract terms.

These trains are manufactured and assembled at Alstom’s manufacturing facility in Barcelona, Spain, and are expected to be deployed for passenger service in 2024.

READ ARTICLE: Arrival of New 3rd Generation Trains for North East Line »

Decommissioning of Refurbished C651 train

A refurbished Siemens C651 (SIE) awaiting for scrap at a scrapyard in Tuas. (Photo: alpha380)

A local trainspotter spotted the decommissioned refurbished Siemens C651 (SIE) train, EMU 217/218 awaiting to be scrapped at Tuas on Apr 10, 2021.

READ ARTICLE: Should the Siemens C651 Refurbishment Project Be Scrapped? »

Removal of Tracks to Marina Bay Temporary Maintenance Facility

The Marina Bay Temporary Maintenance Facility (MBTMF) located beside Marina Bay MRT station. (Photo: SGTrains)

Works were carried out in the tunnel near Marina Bay MRT station on the Circle Line (CCL), SMRT said on Apr 15, 2021.

It involved the removal of tracks leading to a decommissioned temporary maintenance facility for the Downtown Line (DTL) trains

READ ARTICLE: Removal of tracks to Marina Bay Temporary Maintenance Facility »

Entry Into Service of Second-batch Trains for Thomson-East Coast Line

A Kawasaki-CRRC Sifang T251 train fitted with Tip-up Seats for passengers. (Photo: SGTrains)

The second batch of trains for the Kawasaki-CRRC Sifang T251 trains for the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) were spotted in service on Apr 18, 2021.

This batch of trains featured tip-up seating, which were not seen previously on earlier T251 trains.

READ ARTICLE: Final Preparations for the Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 2 »

July 2021

Launch of Mock-up for the New Jurong Region Line Trains

Exterior of the Hyundai Rotem J151 mock-up. (Photo: SGTrains)

On Jul 18, 2021, LTA published a Facebook post with a survey for the public to choose their preferred Jurong Region Line (JRL) train interior design.

The Hyundai Rotem J151 are the first-generation trains for the JRL, which will be opening in three stages starting from 2027.

READ ARTICLE: Choose Your Preferred Interior Design for the Jurong Region Line MRT Train! »

August 2021

Opening of Thomson-East Coast Line 2 for Passenger Service

Caldecott MRT station for the Thomson-East Coast Line. (Photo: SGTrains)

The second stage of the TEL, comprising six MRT stations, began passenger service on Aug 28, 2021, linking Springleaf MRT station to Caldecott MRT station.

READ ARTICLE: 6 MRT Stations for Thomson-East Coast Line 2 Begin Passenger Service »

November 2021

2 Stations for Thomson-East Coast Line 3 Will Open at a Later Date

3D Imagery of Mount Pleasant and Marina South MRT stations during construction. (Source: Google)

Comprising 13 stations from Mount Pleasant MRT station to Gardens by the Bay MRT station, Thomson-East Coast Line 3 is scheduled to open in 2022.

However, two stations – Mount Pleasant MRT station and Marina South MRT station – will not open for passenger service until surrounding developments are ready in the future.

READ ARTICLE: 2 MRT Stations for Upcoming Thomson-East Coast Line 3 To Open at a Later Date »

Infographic: Year In Review 2021

Click to Enlarge: 2021 Year In Review – Singapore Train Network. (Infographic: SGTrains)

External Links
New Two-car Trains for Sengkang-Punggol LRT – LTA [Accessed 31 Dec 2021]

Featured images by SGTrains, LTA, Google
Writing by Matthew Ng; Editing by Loh