Oral Reply by Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat to Parliamentary Questions on Update of the BPLRT Upgrading Works and 22 October BPLRT Incident

Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for Transport

a.     whether an update can be provided on the cause of the recent LRT train breakdown between Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang LRT stations; and

b.     what regular checks are train operators mandated to conduct on LRT trains including on its tyres to prevent breakdowns.

Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui asked the Minister for Transport

a.     what is the current progress of the Bukit Panjang LRT upgrade project, particularly with regard to the resumption of the daily double loop service; and 

b.     what is the status of the replacement of the first-generation train cabins on the Bukit Panjang LRT line.

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Transport

a.     whether he can provide an update on the progress of the upgrading works of the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (LRT); and 

b.     when can the dual-loop service be fully resumed.

Reply by Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat:

Key facts of 22 Oct BPLRT incident

1.     On 22 October 2024 at about 5:08pm, a Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) train moving in the direction of Choa Chu Kang station stalled before Teck Whye station. To preserve service along the affected stretch, SMRT activated a shuttle train service using the other bound of track between Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang LRT stations at 5:19pm. SMRT also activated free regular bus services, to provide commuters with another alternative travel option between the affected stations. BPLRT loop services between Bukit Panjang and Petir stations via Service A, and between Bukit Panjang and Senja stations via Service B, were not affected and continued throughout the evening.

2.     In accordance with standard operating procedure, SMRT deployed an empty recovery train to couple with the stalled train. To ensure commuter safety, all passengers on the incident train disembarked onto the station platform at Teck Whye station by 5.40pm. Thereafter, the recovery train proceeded to move the empty incident train back towards the BPLRT depot, where further checks could be done. During this movement, a power trip occurred, and the coupled trains stalled due to a loss of traction power.

3.     Investigations are on-going. Based on LTA’s initial findings, the incident was caused by a gear failure in one of the wheel assemblies of the incident train. As a consequence, the pair of wheels on the damaged wheel assembly were unable to rotate normally.

4.     LRT trains run on rubber tyres. As the affected wheels on the incident train were unable to rotate, the friction between the rubber tyres and the guideway caused the tyres to deflate. This then resulted in a bar below the carriage of the incident train to come into contact with the power rail, which caused damage to the power rail and led to the power trip.

5.     For the safety of commuters and repair workers, SMRT assessed that recovery works on the stalled train and damaged power rail should only take place after the affected stretch of the BPLRT is shut down. To complete recovery works before service commencement the following day, SMRT decided to end the shuttle train service along the affected stretch earlier at around 10pm, compared to the usual closing time of 11.30pm. Free bus services between the affected stations continued until 1.00am.

 6.     SMRT carried out repair works throughout the night. Thorough checks were then conducted to ensure safety before BPLRT services resumed at 5.00am the following morning.

BPLRT renewal works

7.     Mr Edward Chia and Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked about the progress of BPLRT renewal works and the resumption of double loop service.

8.     The BPLRT renewal works are progressing well. First, LTA is bringing in new trains and upgrading existing ones. Second, we are upgrading all the BPLRT core systems such as power and signalling.

9.     We have four new third-generation vehicles that have entered passenger service, with another two currently undergoing testing. The remaining 13 new vehicles will arrive progressively over the coming year. The second-generation vehicles are also being enhanced – six of these have completed their upgrades and are in passenger service, while the remaining seven will be progressively upgraded over the next 12 months. We target for the new and upgraded vehicles to enter service by end-2025.

10.    The power supply system for the BPLRT has been fully upgraded with increased capacity, including enhancements such as dedicated power supply monitoring and control systems. LTA is currently upgrading the Operations Control Centre, and replacing the power rails to improve operations and system reliability.

11.  To support these upgrading works, LTA recently announced the need for early closure of the BPLRT from 14 November 2024 to 31 October 2025, where train services would end one hour earlier every Thursday to Sunday, excluding public holidays. When in operation, the new signalling system will allow better control of train speeds, so that commuters can enjoy smoother and more reliable rides.

12.  We have fully resumed dual-loop services on BPLRT for all hours on weekends and public holidays since 28 September 2024. LTA aims to resume dual loop services for all hours on weekdays in the coming months.

13.  We are on track to complete the BPLRT renewal programme in 2026. We recognise that the improvement works have been a long journey, but we have to go through this process to fix the legacy problems and deliver better service for our commuters. We thank commuters and residents for their understanding and patience during this period when we are carrying out the renewal programme. When completed in 2026, the upgraded BPLRT will provide commuters with a more reliable, more comfortable, and smoother travel experience.

Reliability of our MRT Network

14.  Mr Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to give some updates on the safety and reliability of our MRT network, since my Ministerial Statement on 15 October 2024.

15.  First, SMRT has formed a tripartite Rail Safety and Reliability Review Workgroup to review its systems and processes, including its maintenance practices and lifecycle management of assets. SMRT has invited representatives from LTA and the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) to join this Workgroup, and will also engage overseas metro operators in Guangzhou and Taipei for mutual learning. LTA welcomes this initiative, and will work together with SMRT and NTWU in this tripartite Workgroup, to identify areas for improvement and maintain safety and reliability standards for the benefit of commuters.

16.    I would like to inform the House that the overall Mean Kilometres Between Failure (MKBF) for our MRT network up to end October 2024 has improved from about 1.8 million train-km in end September, to almost 2 million train-km as at end October this year. Importantly, all the MRT lines have continued to achieve our target MKBF of at least 1 million train-km. 

17.    My colleagues and I will continue to pay close attention to keeping MKBF above the 1 million target, as we know safety and reliability are important for commuters. This is a priority for the One Transport Family. I thank our tripartite partners for the support, especially our workers and union leaders for their hard work and dedication, to provide a safe, reliable and resilient rail system for Singapore. This is our common mission and shared goal, and we will work closely together and do our best to achieve it.