Impact of Recently-Announced Plans to Upgrade of SMRT Trains on Train Capacity and Service Frequency

Written Reply to Parliamentary Question

Ms Poh Li San asked the Acting Minister for Transport

a.          whether the Ministry is aware if the recently announced plan to upgrade 92 SMRT trains will (i) impact train capacity or service frequency in the next decade and (ii) increase the service lifespan of the affected trains; and

b.          if so, what is the impact and/or increase.

Reply by Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow:

1.          The upgrading of the 92 SMRT trains on the North-South and East-West Lines is a planned mid-life upgrade to improve passenger experience, energy efficiency and reliability, and not to extend service life. The upgrades include improving air-conditioning and ventilation systems, and the addition of new condition-monitoring sensors.

2.          There are enough trains in the fleet for the upgrade to be implemented without affecting service capacity or frequency.