Sengkang-Punggol LRT to get 15.8 per cent capacity boost with new trains

SINGAPORE – Travellers on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT network can look forward to more comfortable and less crowded rides with new two-carriage trains brought into the network. The first two new trains entered service on July 15.

When all 25 new two-carriage trains are in use by end-2028, the LRT network will have a 15.8 per cent increase in overall passenger capacity as all the single-carriage trains, along with some of the old two-carriage trains, are replaced.

Initially, the new trains will be used on the Punggol West Loop and Punggol East Loop over two weekends before being introduced into weekday operations towards the end of July, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on July 15.

The remaining 23 new two-carriage trains will progressively enter service from the third quarter of 2025, with the roll-out expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

LTA said this will increase the overall passenger capacity of the Sengkang-Punggol LRT network to meet ridership demand.

The network is operated by SBS Transit.

The new two-carriage trains can carry around 200 passengers each. This is the same capacity as that of the two-carriage trains currently in service and twice that of the single-carriage trains in the network today.

The single-carriage trains will be retired along with half of the existing two-carriage trains.

By end-2028, the Sengkang-Punggol LRT network will have an updated fleet of 33 two-carriage trains on the network.

This marks a 15.8 per cent increase in total passenger capacity from the existing fleet of 25 single- and 16 two-carriage trains.

The new trains, made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Mihara, Japan, have several improved features. These include more ergonomically designed seats, brighter and more energy-efficient LED lighting, and new door-closing indicator light strips above the doors that provide clearer warnings to passengers.

Additionally, the air-conditioning system is said to have been enhanced to further improve passenger comfort.

Compared with the older trains, the new ones also have more grab handles in the carriages, making it more comfortable for standing passengers.

In terms of running the new vehicles, the new trains come with an on-board touchscreen diagnostic panel, which makes for quicker fault detection during testing and maintenance. The trains also have inter-carriage doors that facilitate safer and quicker passenger evacuation during emergencies.

Complementing the fleet development is the expansion of the Sengkang-Punggol LRT depot to improve the overall capacity and reliability of the system.

Due to be completed in 2027, the upgrades include enlarging the area to 11.1ha from 3.5ha, two new reception tracks that will help speed up the launching of the trains onto the network, and three additional traction power substations to serve the new trains.

Speaking to the media at the launch event for the new trains held at Punggol LRT station, Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said that there could be disruption to existing services due to the work on the depot and appealed for residents’ patience.

Mr Daniel Sim, 54, a retired market research analyst, views the introduction of new trains as a way to maintain the overall reliability of the system, noting that he has never encountered a breakdown in his 14 years living in the Punggol estate. He also noted that the improved air-conditioning would be particularly beneficial when the trains are packed with students after school.