Bukit Panjang LRT to end earlier every Thursday to Sunday from Nov 14, 2024, to Oct 31, 2025

Train services on the Bukit Panjang LRT will end one hour earlier at 10:30pm every Thursday to Sunday, from Nov 14, 2024, to Oct 31, 2025, except on public holidays.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and rail operator SMRT said in a joint statement on Friday (Nov 1) that this service adjustment is necessary to facilitate the testing of new LRT trains and the upgrading of the line’s signalling system.

Service Adjustments for Bukit Panjang LRT from Nov 14, 2024, to Oct 31, 2025, to Support Renewal Works

Bukit Panjang LRT to end earlier every Thursday to Sunday from Nov 14, 2024, to Oct 31, 2025 (Image: SGTrains Graphics)

From Nov 14, 2024, to Oct 31, 2025, except on public holidays, the Bukit Panjang LRT will end services one hour earlier at 10:30pm every Thursday to Sunday.

The joint statement said renewal works to upgrade the LRT line’s signalling system to the Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system have been carried out progressively since 2022.

The new CBTC signalling system, similar to that used on MRT lines, allows “better control of train speeds, which will allow commuters to enjoy smoother and more reliable rides.”

LTA and SMRT said: “Intensive testing to ensure full integration of the signalling system with the rest of the trackside equipment across the entire BPLRT network is required.”

These tests can only be conducted after train services have ended for the day, and each testing period, also conducted with both the upgraded and new LRT trains, “exceeds the engineering hours available during a typical night.”

Commuters can take existing bus services along Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang during the affected periods to continue their journey after 10:30pm. These include bus services 67, 171, 920, 922, 960, 963, 972, 972M, 973, 974 and 976.

Renewal works on Bukit Panjang LRT

“The upgrading of the signalling system is part of a broader Bukit Panjang LRT renewal programme that aims to provide commuters with a more reliable and improved travel experience,” said LTA and SMRT.

Upgrades to the Operations Control Centre (OCC) and power rail replacement activities are ongoing to enhance system reliability.

The replacement of the 1st-gen Bombardier INNOVIA APM 100 (C801) trains is “progressing well,” with four new 3rd-gen Alstom Innovia APM 300R (C801B) trains having entered passenger service, with another currently undergoing testing.

“One additional new train will arrive by end-2024, while the remaining 13 new trains will arrive progressively in 2025.”

SEE ALSO: 3rd-gen Alstom Innovia APM 300R enters passenger service on Aug 1, 2024; first two of 19 new vehicles »
SEE ALSO: Delivery of Alstom Innovia APM 300R (C801B) »

Thirteen 2nd-gen Bombardier INNOVIA APM 100 (C801A) trains are being upgraded; five C801A trains have been upgraded and are in passenger service, with the sixth train to complete upgrades this month.

SEE ALSO: Retrofitted Bukit Panjang Light Rail Vehicle arrives in Singapore »

The remaining seven 2nd-gen Bukit Panjang LRT trains will complete upgrades over the coming year. LTA and SMRT said all new and upgraded Bukit Panjang LRT trains are expected to enter passenger service by the end of 2025.

Related Links
Bukit Panjang LRT – SGTrains
Bombardier INNOVIA APM 100 (C801A) – SGTrains
Alstom Innovia APM 300R (C801B) – SGTrains
Delivery of Alstom Innovia APM 300R (C801B) – Spotters by SGTrains

External Links
Service Adjustments for Bukit Panjang LRT from 14 November 2024 to 31 October 2025 to Support Renewal Works – LTA
Service Adjustments for Bukit Panjang LRT from 14 November 2024 to 31 October 2025 to Support Renewal Works – SMRT

Images: SGTrains File, SGTrains Graphics.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.
Last updated 02 Nov 2024.