Singapore’s Rail Network Expansion and Renewal: Cost, Timeline & More

Singapore boasts the most efficient, affordable, and sustainable mass rapid transit (MRT) network in the world. The 200km rail system, six rail lines and more than 130 stations support three million ridership daily. The MRT network is currently operated by two public transport operators – SMRT Corporation (SMRT) and SBS Transit (SBS).

Singapore Government Investing $60 Billion in Rail Expansion and Renewal

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced in March 2020 that it will be investing more than $60 billion to expand and renew the country’s rail network. The investment will be done over a period of one decade.

Rail Expansion Plans

The Singaporean government and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) are targeting to expand the rail network to about 360km by 2030. With a 360km rail network, Singapore will surpass the rail network of Hong Kong and Tokyo. Here are the rail expansion projects that will bring every commuter closer to an MRT station:

  • Completion of Thomson-East Coast Line. Stage 1 of the project opened in January 2020. The second phase of the TEL will open by the first quarter of 2021. The planned opening of Stage 3 of TEL is also expected to be in 2021. Stage 4 of the TEL will be completed by 2024.
  • Singapore’s seventh MRT line - Jurong Region Line – will be expanded with an investment of $S 682.5m ($US 491.4m). Daewoo, South Korea, and local firm Yongnam will take care of the design and construction of three metro stations and 3km of viaducts. CBTC signalling and half-height platform screen doors will be provisioned by Siemens. Integrated Supervisory Control and communications systems will be handled by ST Engineering Electronics (STEE) in Thailand.
  • The expansion project of the Circle Line aims to provide commuters direct routes to Marina Bay, Central Business District, and HabourFront. The Circle Line 6 (CCL6) extension will add three stations between HarbourFront and Marina Bay MRT stations.
  • Cross Island Line is the eighth MRT line that will provide the highest number of interchange stations to help commuters find more alternate routes to get to their destination. The construction for CRL Phase 1 is expected to commence in 2020 and it will be completed by 2029.
  • · The 2040 Land Transport Master Plan aims to build a new parallel line running alongside the North-South Line. This plan is being studied by experts for now.

Rail Renewal Plans

The renewal of the oldest North-South and East-West lines was started in 2013 and will be completed by around 2023. SMRT Corp. (the operator of NSEWL lines) and LTA are working together to replace power supply systems, track circuits, signalling systems, and first-generation trains.

SMRT CEO, Mr. Neo Kian Hong commented on why it is renewing rail lines and the benefits for Singaporean commuters - “Our renewal works on the North-South and East-West Lines (NSEWL) will ensure fewer train delays, breakdowns and smoother rides.”

The rail renewal programme also includes laying of 250km long fibre-optic cables for the monitoring rail line and commuter data in real-time. Bombardier has supplied 66 new trains to replace the 1st generation (Kawasaki) trains on the NSEWL lines. Currently, Bombardier is expected to deliver the latest batch of 40 new trains that will run on the North-South and East-West Lines (NSEWL) from 2022.

Commenting on Singapore’s plans for renewing and expanding the rail network, transport minister Khaw Boon Wan stated, “By 2030, around 80 per cent of Singaporeans will live within walking distance of a train station. We will have achieved or exceeded the level of train connectivity enjoyed by the residents in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and New York today.”

Conclusion

By 2030, Singapore’s rail network will become one of the most sophisticated, advanced, longest, efficient yet affordable MRT systems in the world. With so many expansion and renewal plans in the pipeline, commuters will enjoy faster and safer commutes. The joint efforts by LTA, public transport service providers, and partners will help to bring every commuter within a 10-minute walking distance from an MRT station.

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