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More seats, better air-con systems: New two-car trains debut on Sengkang-Punggol LRT

More seats, better air-con systems: New two-car trains debut on Sengkang-Punggol LRT

More seats, better air-con systems: New two-car trains debut on Sengkang-Punggol LRT
The new trains plying the Sengkang-Punggol LRT lines will resume service on Saturday through Sunday.
PHOTO: AsiaOne/Ong Chin Wee

The first of two new light rail vehicles (LRV) for the Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SPLRT) began its first passenger service on Tuesday (July 15) where it completed three loops over the course of an hour in the afternoon.

The two new trains will ply the 14-station Punggol line over the two upcoming weekends, announced the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SBS Transit.

They will then be deployed for weekday service towards the end of July. 

These trains are part of the 25 new third-generation LRVs which will be progressively introduced into passenger service beyond the third quarter of 2025 after comprehensive testing and commissioning.

Come end-2028, the SPLRT fleet will consist 33 two-car LRVs, which will increase passenger capacity to meet ridership demand, LTA and SBS Transit said.

Speaking with the media at the first train's maiden voyage at Punggol station, Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling shared that residents of Punggol and Sengkang "have been looking forward to this development for many years now".

Fellow Punggol MPs were also present at the launch, including Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Senior Minister of State of Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary and Yeo Wan Ling. 

From left: Yeo Wan Ling, Sun Xueling, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Dr Janil Puthucheary.
PHOTO: AsiaOne/Ong Chin Wee

Theodora Lai and Bernadette Giam were also at the event, along with Jalan Kayu SMC's Ng Chee Meng.

The new two-car trains promise a smoother and more comfortable journey with ergonomic seats, Senior Minister of State Sun stated.

Their two carriages also mean an increase in seating capacity compared to single-car trains.

This is on top of brighter and more energy-efficient LED lighting, clearer LCD passenger information displays, new door-closing indicator light strips, as well as improved air-conditioning systems, according to LTA and SBS Transit.

The new train carriages are certainly brighter and promise more comfortable, ergonomic seats.
PHOTO: AsiaOne/Ong Chin Wee

In the event of emergencies, the new LRVs also have inter-car doors to facilitate safer and quicker passenger evacuation.

"As part of the replacement for the new train fleet, we will see the expansion of the depot," Sun added. "There could be some disruption to the services in the meantime, and we hope for the consideration of residents in Punggol and Sengkang."

Expansion of the depot will include a physical size increase from 3.5 to 11.1 hectares to accommodate the operation of a larger LRV fleet.

Two new reception tracks will reduce LRV launch times and three additional traction power substations will cater to the higher power demand of the new LRVs.

There will also be service adjustments along stretches of the SPLRT lines to facilitate these depot expansion works which are on track for completion by 2027.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Theodora Lai and Bernadette Giam are Sengkang GRC MPs. They are the People's Action Party's branch chairpersons and stood in the recent election but lost.

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