Bukit Panjang LRT

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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.

Category Links

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