SMRT Trains Has Completed Escalator Refurbishment Works at 42 MRT Stations

SMRT Trains Has Completed Escalator Refurbishment Works at 42 MRT Stations. (Images: SMRT/Facebook and SMRT)

A total of 231 escalators across 42 stations on the North-South and East-West MRT lines (NSEWL) have completed refurbishment works.

The six-year-long project that costs $47.3 million was part of efforts by rail operator SMRT Trains to provide safe, reliable and comfortable journeys for commuters, it said on Wednesday (Jul 13).

231 Escalators at 42 MRT Stations Completed Upgrades

First major refurbishment of MRT escalators since the network started

Escalator which was under refurbishment works at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. (Image: SMRT/Facebook)

The refurbishment works, contracted to Otis Singapore, commenced in August 2016 and were monitored closely by engineers from SMRT and the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

This project was the first major refurbishment of MRT escalators since the network began operations nearly 35 years ago.

Over 1,000 parts and major components were removed, replaced and installed during the upgrade of each escalator, which takes around four to eight months to complete.

However, delays due to the pandemic, which affected the progress of the works, saw the project pushed back from its slated completion by the end of last year.

Refurbished escalators come with various safety features and sensors

Escalator which has completed refurbishment works at Somerset MRT station. (Image: SMRT)

The refurbished escalators now operate at a slower speed during off-peak hours, increasing safety for the elderly and young children.

It also includes LED indicators to show the escalator’s direction of travel and skirt deflectors – also known as the escalator skirt brushes – to reduce the likelihood of items trapped between the escalator steps and side panels.

Many sensors are also installed under the hood, one of which is the handrail speed monitoring which can trigger the emergency stop automatically should the escalator handrail stop completely or desynchronise with the steps.

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Related Links
North-South Line – SGTrains
East-West Line – SGTrains

External Links
Media Release – Escalator Refurbishment Project on North-South and East-West lines is completed – SMRT [Accessed 13 Jul 2022]
“As part of efforts to provide safe, reliable, and comfortable journeys for commuters, the 5-year escalator refurbishment project on the North-South and East-West Lines ? is almost completed! ?” – SMRT/Facebook [Accessed 13 Jul 2022]
6-year escalator refurbishment project at 42 MRT stations completed – ST [Accessed 13 Jul 2022]

Images by SMRT/Facebook and SMRT.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.
Last updated on 19 Jul 2022.