Sengkang-Punggol LRT services to resume on Oct. 4, 2 weeks ahead of schedule

Sengkang-Punggol LRT services will fully resume on Oct. 4 2026.

According to a press release by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), full train services will resume on the Sengkang West Inner Loop two weeks ahead of schedule.

The loop, via SW1 Cheng Lim from Sengkang LRT station, was temporarily closed from Apr. 19 2026 for major upgrading works.

It was initially slated to reopen on Oct. 18 2026.

However, LTA said that the project team was able to expedite the upgrading works on the loop by optimising the sequence of works carried out.

Size of LRT dept to be tripled 

The works aimed to facilitate the tripling of the size of the Sengkang-Punggol LRT depot, in order to accommodate a larger fleet and meet growing ridership demand.

Significant modifications to the existing tracks were made, as well as the connection of new reception tracks from the expanded depot to the existing line.

New signalling systems and equipment were also installed.

LTA also stated that the depot expansion is on track for completion by 2027.

As the works on the Sengkang West Inner Loop come to a close, the weekday peak-period shuttle bus services (Sengkang West Shuttle Bus Service A and Service B) will also cease operations on Friday, Oct. 2 2026.

Enhanced LRT fleet and features

LTA also announced that they will procure eight additional third-generation two-car Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs).

This will bring the size of the Sengkang-Punggol LRT fleet to a total of 41 two-car LRVs by 2030 to meet growing travel demand.

This is in addition to the plan to introduce 25 new third-generation two-car LRVs that are slated to replace the existing first-generation fleet.

According to LTA, the third-generation LRVs will provide smoother and more comfortable rides, with ergonomic seating, brighter and energy-efficient LED lighting, clearer passenger information displays, more visible door-closing indicators and an improved air-conditioning system.

They also incorporate enhancements that support operations and maintenance, allowing greater ease of diagnostics, fault detection, and access to onboard equipment.

Inter-car doors also facilitate safer and quicker evacuations during emergencies.

Extension of free off-peak rides: SMS Sun

Speaking at a media doorstop at Sengkang LRT Depot, Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling shared that the off-peak rail travel programme had performed better than its original target and will extend by another year.

LTA had previously announced that rides on the North East Line and Sengkang-Punggol LRT taken before and after peak hours (before 7:30am, and between 9am and 9:45am) would be free, in order to moderate travel demand during the morning. 

The initial target was to move seven per cent of passengers to off-peak travel timings.

Sun announced that currently, 10 per cent of passengers have moved to off-peak travel, which she called "encouraging".

As such, LTA has made the decision to extend the free off-peak rail travel programme by another year, to encourage more commuters to make use of the free rides.

LTA says that this will achieve a 30 per cent increase in average capacity across Sengkang-Punggol LRT.