Oral Reply by Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng to Parliamentary Question on Extended Engineering Hours

Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     he can provide an update on the shutting down of train lines for scheduled maintenance;

b.     how much additional work has been done during this period; and

c.     how many man hours of effort have been achieved during this time.

Reply by Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng:

1.     The extended engineering hours have been useful in accelerating the completion of the East-West Line re-signalling project, intensifying maintenance and bringing forward the noise barrier installations.

2.     During December 2017 and January 2018, extended engineering hours have provided the equivalent of 40 nights of additional time for the testing and installation of the East-West Line’s new signalling system. This would otherwise have taken another one and a half months to achieve. Barring any unforeseen developments, we are on track to complete the re-signalling programme by this June. 

3.     SMRT was also able to step up its maintenance regime, achieving 2.5 times the usual volume of maintenance work each weekend along the closed stretches. We have also taken the opportunity to advance noise barrier installation works at roughly 1.5 times the usual pace, with the team completing the equivalent of three to four nights of work each weekend. 

4.     We are studying how similar additional engineering hours could also help us speed up the renewal of other operating assets on the North-South and East-West Lines, such as the upcoming replacement and upgrading of the power supply system. Meanwhile, we would like to thank commuters for their patience and understanding as we strive to improve rail reliability.