Bukit Panjang LRT

Bukit Panjang LRT Chinese Tamil
Insert Images
Overview
Type	Light rail/Automated guideway transit system
System	Light Rail Transit (Singapore)
Status	Operational
Termini	Choa Chu Kang Ten Mile Junction
Stations	14
Services	2
Operation
Opened	6 November 1999
Owner	Land Transport Authority
Operator(s)	SMRT Corporation
Rolling stock	Innovia APM 100
Technical
Line length	7.8 km (4.8 mi)
Electrification	Third rail

Bukit Panjang LRT is a 7.8 km light rail line opened on 6 November 1999 and part of Singapore's LRT system. It is fully automated, and the project was contracted to Adtranz, Keppel Corporation and Gammon Construction. The line uses the Innovia APM 100 rolling stock supplied by Bombardier, and is similar to the ones used in the Singapore Changi Airport's people mover service during the 90s. It is currently operated by SMRT Light Rail, a subsidiary of SMRT Corporation. A complete loop journey on the line (excluding Ten Mile Junction Station) takes 28 minutes and all stations, except Choa Chu Kang and Ten Mile Junction Stations have two opposing side platforms, like Dover, Braddell, and Fernvale Stations.

Stations

Alpha-Numeric Code	Station Name			Notes
	English	Chinese	Tamil
Bukit Panjang LRT
BP1/NS4	Choa Chu Kang	蔡厝港	சுவா சூ காங்	Interchange station with NSL
BP2	South View	南景	சவுத் வியூ
BP3	Keat Hong	吉丰	கியட் ஹோங
BP4	Teck Whye	德惠	டெக் வாய
BP5	Phoenix	凤凰	ஃபீனிக்ஸ்
BP6	Bukit Panjang	武吉班让	புக்கிட் பாஞ்சாங்	Shuttle to Ten Mile Junction / Interchange with future DTL
BP7	Petir	柏提	பெட்டீர
BP8	Pending	秉定	பெண்டிங
BP9	Bangkit	万吉	பங்கிட்
BP10	Fajar	法嘉	ஃபஜார
BP11	Segar	实加	செகார
BP12	Jelepang	泽拉邦	ஜேலப்பாங
BP13	Senja	信加	செஞ்சா
BP14	Ten Mile Junction	十里广场	பத்தாம் கல் சந்திப்ப	Station closed from Dec 10 2010 to Jan 1 2012 due to the renovation works at Ten Mile Junction.

Service

There are only two left services operating along the Bukit Panjang Line. Trains designated on Service A will ply the outer loop (clockwise) via Senja first whereas trains designated on Service B will ply the inner loop (anti-clockwise) via Petir first. Service C runs between Bukit Panjang and Ten Mile Junction. The service frequency for Service C is 20 minutes.Service C is no longer available from 10 December 2010 due to redevelopment of the building.

Issues

The operation of the Bukit Panjang LRT has experienced a lot problems. Software glitches during initial running means that there were constant delays in service (On 6 November 1999, the trains were unable to move as planned and frequently halted in between stations.), and were sometimes severe. There have been two serious accidents since its opening:

• In 2000, two LRT trains crashed head-to-back at Phoenix Station causing minor injuries. The operator was fined S$10,000.
• In 2002, a dislodged train wheel caused the entire shutdown of the system for six days, as it crippled the power system and the rail at the incident was damaged and had to be repaired.

There have also been over a hundred disruptions in service which stills continues today, the most recent being on 30 November 2010. The poor operation had no bearing on the operation of the Sengkang LRT and Punggol LRT being awarded to rival company SBS Transit and rival manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as those contracts were placed prior to Bukit Panjang LRT commencing operation. Most of the problems have been addressed and ironed out since.

The Bukit Panjang LRT was operating at a loss for the first five years. This has raised complaints from the public who argue that the system is a white elephant.

It was also reported that residents were unhappy with the withdrawal of feeder bus services operating in the area since the opening of the Bukit Panjang LRT, and were further aggravated by the unreliability of the service. After lobbying to Members of the Parliament, 2 feeder services, Services 920 and 922, were reinstated.

It has also been seen that all LRT trains had their white wheel covers removed.

Future plans

Plans by the Land Transport Authority have indicated a Mass Rapid Transit Station (Bukit Panjang MRT Station) near Bukit Panjang Station as part of the Downtown Line. When further details were revealed, it disclosed the close proximity of the new MRT station to both Bukit Panjang Station and Ten Mile Junction Station.