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On June 22, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan marked the decommissioning of the first generation of MRT trains by switching off the lights of one 33-year-old Kawasaki train at the Bishan Depot.

First-generation MRT trains that ran for 33 years

In a Facebook post on June 22, Khaw mentioned that the Kawasaki trains were the first generation of MRT trains that were introduced in 1987.

They continued to run for 33 years until they were decommissioned on June 22.

The trains, also known as the Kawasaki C151 trains, operated on the North-South Line and East-West Line.

There were 66 of such trains.

Paid tribute to the people behind the first trains

Replacing the 66 trains is the Bombardier Movia CR151 series of trains, which will be equipped with the latest train technologies and more commuter-friendly features.

The transport minister also honoured and mentioned the people behind the first-generation Kawasaki trains.

This includes train captain Ling Gee Choon who was among the first batch of train captains who joined the then-Mass Rapid Transit Corporation in 1986.

Khaw also spoke to several long-time staff of the Land Transport Authority, such as Ho Kim Huey, who joined the service in 1986 and helped to draft the electrical and mechanical drawings of the first-generation trains.

Khaw noted that while the changes are "emotional", they are also "critical".

He emphasised that long term planning and sound execution are key to continuing the progress of Singapore's public transport.

"A seamless transition is undramatic, perhaps even boring, but it secures long term success. That is the Singapore formula", Khaw said.

You can see his full post here: