Some Bukit Panjang residents unaware of early LRT closure; others intend to adjust travel plans
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Train services on the Bukit Panjang LRT will stop an hour earlier from Thursdays to Sundays between Nov 14, 2024, and Oct 31, 2025.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
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SINGAPORE – Bukit Panjang resident Gina Gan will reduce her visits to Johor Bahru every weekend to just once a month, as train services on the Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) will stop an hour earlier from Thursdays to Sundays between Nov 14, 2024, and Oct 31, 2025.
The 55-year-old planner told The Straits Times she is worried she would not be able to comfortably catch the last BPLRT train from Choa Chu Kang LRT station to get back to her home in Bangkit. During this period, BPLRT services will end at 10.30pm.
On the days she does go into JB, she plans to leave there much earlier than usual.
Madam Gan was among 11 passengers whom ST interviewed at five BPLRT stations on the evening of Nov 14, the first day of the early closure.
Most were unaware of the early stoppage of services, and many told ST they would get home via other transport modes, such as private-hire cars and buses, after services end.
Mr Ganesh Hegde, 35, who lives near Segar station, said he is largely unaffected by the early closure as he normally gets off work at 8pm.
But the software engineer noted that it would be “troublesome” for him to travel home when he heads out for gatherings during weekends. He said he will adjust his plans so that he can catch the last LRT train, wherever possible.
Student Eric Yoo, 15, said the early closure will affect him when he heads home late on some days from the malls in Bukit Panjang.
But he does not mind this, as it is still possible to return to his Bangkit home via a direct bus service from the heart of Bukit Panjang. This will, however, take up to 20 minutes longer than the LRT ride.
ST observed small banners and signs informing passengers of the early closure near the fare gates of Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang LRT stations.
After the last train towards Choa Chu Kang departed at 10.30pm on Nov 14, an SMRT staff member at Bukit Panjang LRT station was seen turning away about 20 people trying to enter the station.
Among them was Ms Sarah Lim, 23, who had heard about the early closure, but did not realise that it began on Nov 14.
The legal executive, who was travelling from the Central Business District to her home in Yew Tee, said she would have to contend with an “inconvenient” 40-minute bus ride home from Bukit Panjang, compared with her usual 20-minute journey via the LRT.
At about 10.40pm, the shutters to most of the entrances leading to the LRT platform had been pulled down.
The early closure, announced on Nov 1,
The BPLRT needs intensive testing to fully integrate its upgraded signalling system with trackside equipment, and more time is required for testing beyond engineering hours, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and rail operator SMRT said earlier.
The early closure is meant to allow for the upgrading of the Bukit Panjang LRT’s signalling system, and the testing of new and retrofitted light-rail vehicles.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
As an alternative, passengers travelling after 10.30pm can take bus services that serve Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang, including services 67, 171, 920, 922, 960, 963, 972, 972M, 973, 974 and 976.
LTA said it will monitor ridership levels for these services, and adjust bus frequencies if needed.
BPLRT services will run as usual till 11.30pm on public holidays during the affected period.
The 25-year-old BPLRT network has had a long history of reliability issues, with the most recent disruption taking place on Oct 22 when train service stalled between Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang LRT stations
Service resumed the next morning.
Initial findings from ongoing investigations showed that the breakdown was caused by a gear failure
As a result, two wheels on the damaged assembly could not rotate normally, and the friction between the train’s rubber tyres and the track caused the tyres to deflate.
This led to a power trip after a bar below the train carriage came into contact with the power rail – which supplies power to the trains – and damaged it.
The BPLRT is in the midst of a multi-year asset renewal programme to improve its reliability, which includes an upgraded operations control centre and replacement of its power rails.
LTA and SMRT had said the full renewal programme is targeted to be completed by the end of 2026, and warned that additional extended engineering hours may be needed as works continue.
