New 2-car trains for Sengkang-Punggol LRT will start service from Jul. 15

The first two of the 25 new third-generation two-car Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) for the Sengkang-Punggol LRT will begin passenger service on Jul. 15.

According to a press release by SBS Transit and the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the two new trains will be deployed to the Punggol West Loop and Punggol East Loop over two weekends, allowing for the trains' performance to be monitored.

After that, the trains will be introduced into the weekday operations towards the end of July 2025.

The remaining 23 new LRVs will arrive progressively and be integrated into passenger service from the third quarter of 2025 onwards, after going through comprehensive testing and commissioning.

New fleet and expanding depot

When all the new cars are deployed, the Sengkang-Punggol LRT fleet will comprise 33 two-car trains, increasing the overall passenger capacity to meet ridership demand.

With the introduction of the new trains, the third-generation trains will progressively replace all the existing first-generation fleet of 25 one-car and eight two-car trains.

Another eight second-generation two-car trains will remain in operation.

"With the new LRVs entering passenger service, commuters will enjoy smoother and more comfortable rides," said LTA.

LTA shared that the new trains will feature ergonomic seating, brighter and more energy-efficient LED lighting, clearer LCD passenger information displays, and new door-closing indicator light strips.

The new LRVs will also have an improved air-conditioning system.

In addition, the new trains will feature operational enhancements like an onboard touch-screen diagnosis panel for quick fault detection and more ergonomic access to onboard equipment by staff.

The LRVs will also have inter-car doors to facilitate safer and quicker passenger evacuation during emergencies.

To support the larger fleet, the Sengkang-Punggol LRT depot will expand from 3.5 to 11.1 hectares to provide additional stabling and maintenance.

It will also have two new reception tracks to reduce the LRVs' launch times and three additional power substations to cater for the higher power demand of the new trains.

The expansion is on track to be completed by 2027.

Repurpose

The old first-generation LRT trains will be progressively decommissioned as the new ones are deployed for passenger service.

LTA is inviting community partners to repurpose the decommissioned cars either as full train cars or through the reuse of individual parts.

Previously, LTA worked with various organisations, including City Developments Limited, ITE College West, SG Enable, the Singapore Armed Forces and Singapore University for Technology and Design, to upcycle decommissioned trains and train parts.

Interested parties can email [email protected] for more information.

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Top photos via LTA/Facebook