Oral Reply by Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng to Parliamentary Question on Bukit Panjang LRT Reliability Plans

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Transport what are the Government's plans to improve the medium- to long-term reliability of the Bukit Panjang LRT system and what are the immediate- to short-term plans to improve commuter service and experience when there are breakdowns and stoppages in the LRT system.

Reply by Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng: 

1.     The Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) is our next oldest rail line after the North-South and East-West Lines. The system is nearing the end of its design life and is due for renewal. 

2.     Most of the disruptions on BPLRT have been due to power-related faults.  In the immediate term, LTA and SMRT are carrying out detailed checks of the LRT's power rails and performing hotspot replacement works where needed. LTA will also install a new power source at Ten Mile Junction substation to provide a back-up to the existing system at Choa Chu Kang. Both exercises will be completed by year end. In the meantime, LTA and SMRT are looking to extend engineering hours to cater to these additional works. This would mean shorter operating hours and we hope to have commuters' understanding on this.

3.     In addition, SMRT is forming a quick response team to rectify train faults and shorten service recovery times. The proximity of the new Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub will also allow SMRT to deploy buses rapidly to ferry commuters during a service disruption. 

4.     In 1Q 2018, LTA will be awarding a contract to renew the BPLRT. When completed, reliability will improve substantially.