• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
    • Volunteer
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

BPLRT network to close earlier at 11.30pm daily starting from 13 January to enable SMRT to intensify and accelerate renewal works

by Neyla Zannia
13/12/2018
in Transport
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced in a press release on Wednesday (12 December) that Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) network will close earlier at 11.30 pm daily starting from Sunday (13 January) to enable SMRT to intensify and accelerate maintenance and system renewal works.

BPLRT Service C commencing and terminating at Ten Mile Junction Station will
be permanently closed from 13 January 2019 (Source: LTA).

Bombardier, BPLRT’s original equipment manufacturer, will upgrade the network’s power rails system, replace the existing signalling system with a new Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system for higher rail reliability, replace all 19 first generation Light Rapid Vehicles (LRVs), which have been in use since BPLRT services began in 1999, with new and improved vehicles, and equip LRVs and CBTC signalling system with condition monitoring systems for real-time detection of tail alignment and predictive maintenance as part of the planned renewal works commencing in the first quarter of 2019.

As previously announced on 3 March 2018, the authority stated that the BPLRT Service C commencing and terminating at Ten Mile Junction Station will be permanently closed from 13 January 2019. The vacated station space in Ten Mile Junction Station will thereafter be converted into a stabling and testing ground for the BPLRT’s new LRVs.

Since November 2017, periodic Full Sunday Closures and Sunday Late Openings have been implemented for the BPLRT network. These have enabled accelerated maintenance works.

LTA Chief Executive, Mr Ngien Hoon Ping, said, “Over the past year, our engineering teams have made use of additional engineering hours to intensify and speed up the replacement of the BPLRT’s ageing infrastructure. The upcoming enhancement works will see extensive works carried out on the BPLRT network to implement a new signalling system and renew train cars. These are part of our efforts to improve the BPLRT’s reliability and commuters’ travel experience.”

“We are grateful for residents’ patience in allowing us this extra time to carry out enhancement works, and seek their understanding as we continue to strive towards more reliable journeys on the BPLRT for all commuters,” he added.

SMRT Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Neo Kian Hong, said, “We are working very closely with LTA and Bombardier to ensure that these renewal works are carried out well, on schedule and safely. Even as works to renew and upgrade the BPLRT network’s key components are being carried out over the next few years, we will continue our efforts to improve our operations and maintenance of the system, so that commuters can continue to enjoy reliable and comfortable journeys on the BPLRT.”

To support the change in the BPLRT’s operating hours, LTA stated that bus services 920, 922, 973 and 974 will run for longer hours until around 1.00am, to serve commuters within the Bukit Panjang township. Commuters can also continue to access Junction 10 via the Downtown Line’s Bukit Panjang MRT Station, Phoenix or Bukit Panjang LRT stations, as well as bus services plying the bus stop opposite Junction 10.

On October this year, SMRT Train’s managing director Lee Ling Wee wrote a blog posted by SMRT, saying that the company and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) are jointly reviewing the future of the 10.5km, 14-station Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT).

The BPLRT was said had been dogged by problems, including a breakdown just last week, and ongoing issues with the trains’ air-conditioning system.

While it continues to “test the mettle of our engineering staff and the patience of users”, Mr Lee wrote that SMRT and the LTA are looking for a solution that will be “more than just a makeover” and will “completely transform the light rail system.”

Several options are being considered to “completely transform” BPLRT, including scrapping the network and returning to the use of buses.

Netizens, however, especially those who live at Bukit Panjang, voiced their disagreement on the option to return to the use of buses.

A month later, Minister of Transport Khaw Boon Wan stated that replacing the Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) with a bus-only transport system is not a feasible option as the road network in Bukit Panjang will not be able to cope.

He said that the decision to implement the BPLRT required shoe-horning an LRT system into a built-up town. This has posed significant engineering challenges, requiring the LRT to make sharp bends and over undulating terrain. The BPLRT’s reliability has therefore been unsatisfactory, despite significant efforts by all parties involved.

Just last Sunday (9 December), the line experienced breakdown due to power failure. And in November alone, the line experienced three delays.

On 5 November morning, the train service was disrupted  and at about the same time along the Circle Line (CCL) due to a system fault. However, the information were obtained from commuters’ posts on social media platforms while SMRT remained silent with no official announcement on its media platforms.

Only two days later (7 November), late train commuters along the line experienced delays on Wednesday (7 Nov) evening due to a power failure. However, only about an hour since the fault began, SMRT officially informed about the disruption on its media social platforms.

On 14 November morning, the line experienced another delay following delay on the North South Line (NSL) a few hours before delay on BPLRT. There were no official information from SMRT on the BPLRT disruption; however, commuters’ post on TATA SMRT Facebook informing that there were announcement and ground reports in the station, which stated that the delay was due to track fault.

For just US$7.50 a month, sign up as a subscriber on The Online Citizen Asia (and enjoy ads-free experience on our site) to support our mission to transform TOC into an alternative mainstream press.

Related Posts

Malaysian court sentences man to 1,050 years’ jail, 24 strokes of the cane, for raping stepdaughter 105 times
AFP

Thai court jails activist for 28 years jail for royal defamation

26/01/2023
Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall
Community

Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

26/01/2023
KKH’s lack of continuous monitoring baby’s vital signs “was not ideal”, said State Coroner
Health

KKH’s lack of continuous monitoring baby’s vital signs “was not ideal”, said State Coroner

26/01/2023
Dozens of COVID protesters still behind bars in China: HRW
AFP

Dozens of COVID protesters still behind bars in China: HRW

26/01/2023
8 dead, including 6 Chinese nationals, after ship sinks near Japan
AFP

8 dead, including 6 Chinese nationals, after ship sinks near Japan

26/01/2023
“党籍不会过期失效”  前进党称已就党籍终止知会卡拉
Health

Nurse disabled permanently after vaccine injury and sacked by SGH; Did the hospital advise her to apply for VIFAP?

26/01/2023
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect withD
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Latest posts

Malaysian court sentences man to 1,050 years’ jail, 24 strokes of the cane, for raping stepdaughter 105 times

Thai court jails activist for 28 years jail for royal defamation

26/01/2023
Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

26/01/2023
KKH’s lack of continuous monitoring baby’s vital signs “was not ideal”, said State Coroner

KKH’s lack of continuous monitoring baby’s vital signs “was not ideal”, said State Coroner

26/01/2023
Dozens of COVID protesters still behind bars in China: HRW

Dozens of COVID protesters still behind bars in China: HRW

26/01/2023
8 dead, including 6 Chinese nationals, after ship sinks near Japan

8 dead, including 6 Chinese nationals, after ship sinks near Japan

26/01/2023
“党籍不会过期失效”  前进党称已就党籍终止知会卡拉

Nurse disabled permanently after vaccine injury and sacked by SGH; Did the hospital advise her to apply for VIFAP?

26/01/2023
Man and 2-year-old daughter fell into hole in bridge at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, “seconds away from drowning”

Man and 2-year-old daughter fell into hole in bridge at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, “seconds away from drowning”

26/01/2023
Ruling on Trump ban marks defining moment for Facebook panel

Meta says Trump to be allowed back on Facebook, Instagram

26/01/2023

Trending posts

Two Indian nationals paid about S$330 and S$730 respectively for forged certificates submitted in their S-Pass application

MOM found issuing EPs meant for foreign PMETs to PRC waitress and general worker

by Correspondent
26/01/2023
26

...

Ho Ching breaks silence over Temasek’s write down of its US$275 million investment in FTX, says it “can afford to be contrarian”

US regulator questions VCs’ due diligence work prior to investing in FTX; Ho Ching says Temasek can afford to be contrarian

by The Online Citizen
24/01/2023
27

...

BPLRT network to close earlier at 11.30pm daily starting from 13 January to enable SMRT to intensify and accelerate renewal works

by Neyla Zannia
13/12/2018
0

...

“党籍不会过期失效”  前进党称已就党籍终止知会卡拉

AGC asked to explain purposes of 68 private letters of inmates illegitimately forwarded to prosecutors

by The Online Citizen
21/01/2023
16

...

Indian rupee falls 60% since signing of CECA while Singapore becomes top investor in India

by Correspondent
25/01/2023
34

...

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

by The Online Citizen
26/01/2023
18

...

December 2018
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Nov   Jan »
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
  • Contact Us

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

wpDiscuz