LTA appoints independent panel to review power supply system for all train lines

LTA appointed an Independent Advisory Panel to review the power supply system for all MRT and LRT lines. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - The power supply system of the island's MRT and LRT networks will get a thorough health check, with the help of industry experts, academics and a foreign rail operator.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Wednesday (Dec 30) that it has appointed an Independent Advisory Panel (IAP), which will study the resilience of the current power supply system and consider international best practices in making its recommendations to the LTA.

The 13-member team comprises industry specialists from Hong Kong's MTR Corporation, Japan's Meidensha Corporation and Germany's Siemens, along with academics from the Singapore University of Technology and Design, National University of Singapore, and Nanyang Technological University.

There will also be representatives from SBS Transit, SMRT, LTA, the Energy Market Authority (Singapore) and Empower Engineering Services.

The LTA said the panel will be briefed on the existing power supply system and will make site visits to understand the current structure, equipment, and maintenance regime.

"In addition to assessing the condition of current equipment, the IAP will also examine how the existing protection settings and maintenance practices could be adjusted, if at all, to better factor in changes to passenger loading, network expansion and impact to operations caused by increased interfacing with other systems," LTA added.

LTA's chief executive Chew Men Leong said he was confident that the panel's recommendations will help LTA determine the necessary actions to minimise power-related incidents and enhance overall reliability.

The review is scheduled for completion by the end of next month, said the LTA.

It will then deliberate on the panel's recommendations and consider how these should be implemented.

The LTA said it will share relevant recommendations and the implementation plan when ready.

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