Two-car trains on Sengkang loop of LRT start official operations

The Sengkang loop of the Sengkang-Punggol LRT is now officially operating with two-car trains. ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
Commuters boarding the two-car train. ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
Senior Minister of State for Transport Ng Chee Meng (seated, second from left) taking a ride on the new train. ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

SINGAPORE- The Sengkang loop of the Sengkang-Punggol LRT is now officially operating with two-car trains.

The trains will help to alleviate the peak hour crush in the mornings and evenings, and will be running at intervals of three to four minutes.

Each train car can accommodate 102 passengers.

On Tuesday morning, Senior Minister of State for Transport Ng Chee Meng took a ride on the new trains, accompanied by Member of Parliament (Sengkang West) Lam Pin Min, MP (Ang Mo Kio GRC) Gan Thiam Poh and MP (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) Teo Ser Luck.

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Two two-car trains were put into service on the Sengkang stretch just before Christmas, and eventually 16 of the entire LRT system's 41 trains will have two cars. Eight two-car trains are currently running.

"The new upgrade will bring about greater comfort and convenience for the residents. By doubling the capacity of the trains to 204, the waiting times during the rush hour will be significantly reduced," said Mr Ng.

The Land and Transport Authority (LTA) said that the busier Sengkang loop was prioritised for the upgrade, while upgrades on the Punggol loop will be completed by the first quarter of 2017.

The addition of these two-car trains comes about five years after plans to raise the capacity of the increasingly packed light-rail system were revealed by the LTA.

Correction note: An earlier version of this story stated that 18 of the entire LRT system's 41 trains will have two cars. LTA has clarified that the figure is actually 16.

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