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Information About

Bukit Panjang Lrt Line




Bukit Panjang Light Rapid Transit is a 7.8 km Light Rail line opened in 1999 and part of Singapore 's Light Rail System . It is fully Automated . The rolling stock is supplied by Bombardier , and is similar to the ones used in the Singapore Changi Airport 's Peoplemover service during the 90s '. It is currently operated by SMRT Light Rail, a subsidiary of SMRT Corporation .


ISSUES


The operation of the Bukit Panjang LRT has experienced several problems. Software glitches during initial running means that there were constant delays in service, and were sometimes severe. There have been two serious accidents since its opening:

  • In 2000 , two LRT trains crashed head-to-back at Phoenix Station causing minor injuries. The operator was fined S$10,000.

  • In 2002 , a dislodged train wheel caused the entire shutdown of the system for a few days, as it crippled the power system and the rail at the incident was damaged and had to be repaired.


There have also been over fifty disruptions in service, the most recent being on 12 May 2004 . The poor operation was partly why the operation of the Sengkang LRT Line and Punggol LRT Line were awarded to rival company SBS Transit and rival manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries . Most of the problems have been addressed and ironed out since.

The Bukit Panjang LRT has been operating at a loss for the past five years. This has raised complaints from the public who argue that the system is a White Elephant (as some do about the North East MRT Line ).

It was also reported that residents were unhappy with the withdrawal of feeder bus services operating in the area since the opening of the Bukit Panjang LRT, and were further aggravated by the unreliability of the service. After lobbying to Members of the Parliament, some services were partially restored.


STATIONS




SERVICE


There are three services operating along the Bukit Panjang Line. Trains designated on Service A will ply the outer loop (clockwise) via Senja first whereas trains designated on Service B will ply the inner loop (anti-clockwise) via Petir first. Service C runs between Bukit Panjang and Ten Mile Junction . The service frequency for Service C is 30 minutes.


EXTERNAL LINKS