Speech by Senior Minister of State for Transport, Dr. Amy Khor, at the Opening of Singapore Rail Test Centre

Ladies and gentlemen

1.     I am very happy to join everyone here today to mark the opening of the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC). 

2.     Indeed, this occasion comes at a pivotal moment for our rail sector. 

a.     Earlier this month, at the Ministry of Transport’s Committee of Supply Debate, we shared about how we are further enhancing Singapore’s rail network. 

b.     On top of ongoing rail expansion efforts, we shared our plans for new MRT lines, including the West Coast Extension, and feasibility studies into two potential new rail lines – the Seletar Line and Tengah Line. 

c.     For our existing lines, we also announced that we intend to invest up to an additional $1 billion over the next five years to enhance the way we maintain our assets and upgrade our rail workforce, to ensure that our rail network remains safe, reliable and resilient for years to come.

3.     Expanding and maintaining our rail network requires not just investments into new assets and rail systems, but also the right infrastructure to support testing and innovation. That is why the opening of SRTC today is a significant milestone. 

The Need for SRTC

4.     As our rail network grows, so too do the complexities of maintaining this network and integrating both newer and older systems. Rigorous and thorough testing becomes even more critical, whenever we purchase new assets like trains, and new rail systems like signalling and communications systems. These have to be thoroughly tested before they can be integrated into our existing network.

5.     Prior to the development of SRTC,

a.     We have been relying heavily on overseas test centres to test new trains and systems before their deployment in Singapore. But while these facilities have served us well, they have been unable to fully replicate our local operating conditions – for instance, just our weather alone is very different from that of our major vendors in Europe or China.

b.     Consequently, we still had to conduct extensive testing on our operational lines when these new trains and systems arrived in Singapore. But this took up precious engineering hours – every night, there is only a short window of about three hours, from around 1am to 4am, for engineering work on our operational lines.

c.     This puts pressure on our rail engineers and technicians, who must still complete essential maintenance activities to keep up our MRT network and to ensure that they run reliably. This is on top of testing new and existing rail systems.

A Fully Operational SRTC

6.     Today, with the completion of SRTC, Singapore now has our very own purpose-built testing facility that will help relieve pressures on our efforts to expand and maintain our rail network. 

7.     The SRTC features three specialised test tracks that allow us to test railway systems in an environment that mirrors our local conditions:

a.     Firstly, a 2.8-kilometre high-speed test track that allow trains to reach maximum speeds of up to 100km/h for traction and brake testing; 

b. Secondly, a 3-kilometre endurance track with an uphill gradient, to test if our trains remain durable after running for a specific mileage; and

c.     Thirdly, a 2.8-kilometre performance and integration track, that allows us to test if our trains are well integrated with other rail systems. 

8.     One of the key advantages of SRTC is that testing can now take place around the clock as it is far from residential areas. Testing can also be carried out without affecting existing services and nearby communities. With this dedicated facility for rigorous rail testing, we can now:

a.     Conduct comprehensive trials of our trains and rail systems under realistic local conditions before deployment, reducing the need for testing on our operational lines;

b.     Free up more engineering hours for regular maintenance, which will help to ensure continued service reliability; and 

c.     Enhance safety and efficiency by tapping on a controlled environment for troubleshooting and performance optimisation of our rail assets.

SRTC as a National and Regional Asset

9.     Unlike many overseas test facilities, which are owned by private train manufacturers for proprietary use, the SRTC is also a national test centre. This means that it was designed to be able to accommodate different rail systems from multiple manufacturers, supporting all MRT lines across Singapore – both existing and future. 

10.    Beyond supporting testing and maintenance, we aspire for SRTC to play a strategic role in developing Singapore’s rail expertise.

11.    First, it can deepen the capabilities of our local rail workforce. The facility will serve as a training ground for our rail engineers and operators, providing hands-on experience with real-world scenarios. Additionally, it could also enable new practical training options for the Singapore Rail Academy and our rail operators.

12.    Second, SRTC provides a platform for R&D for leading rail original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and industry partners, who can use SRTC’s facilities to test and pilot new technologies and systems. This will help to anchor more expertise in Singapore.

13.    Finally, the SRTC also has the potential to serve as a regional centre for rail testing. In fact, the SRTC is the first rail test centre in Southeast Asia. While we will always prioritise the testing needs of our local rail network, the SRTC could potentially provide specialised testing services to regional operators, fostering greater collaboration and knowledge exchange between our local rail engineers and their regional counterparts. This too can help us to improve our local capabilities.

Conclusion

14.     The completion of the SRTC is the result of many years of hard work in planning, engineering, and collaboration. I would like to express my appreciation to LTA and its partners, whose dedication and technical expertise have made this vision a reality – in fact, making this vision a reality in double quick time. The project officially started in 2021; we completed Phase 1 in November 2023 and now it is the completion of the full project.

15.     The full operationalisation of SRTC marks a significant milestone for Singapore’s rail industry. With this facility, we are now better equipped to enhance rail reliability, strengthen the technical expertise within our rail ecosystem, and support the continued expansion of our rail network. 

16.     Our vision is clear: a safe, reliable, and resilient public transport system that meets the needs of Singaporeans today and in the future. SRTC is a crucial part of this journey, and I am confident that it will play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of our rail development.  

17.     Thank you.