To enhance reliability across the land transport system, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and transport operators are undertaking ongoing projects to upgrade and renew various aspects of the rail system in Singapore. Recently, SMRT Corporation, a leading multi-modal transport operator in Singapore, completed the escalator refurbishment works on the North-South and East-West lines. Read on to learn more about this refurbishment project and how it will help commuters.
The 6-year-long escalator refurbishment project
SMRT completed the six-year-long, $47.3 million escalator refurbishment project. A total of 231 escalators at 42 of Singapore’s oldest MRT stations on the North-South and East-West lines were progressively upgraded over the last six years. The project was handled by the contractor company Otis. The newly refurbished escalators are more energy-efficient escalators.
What was refurbished?
The upgrading of each escalator involved the removal, installation, and replacement of more than 1,000 parts and major components.
• New safety features have been added to 42 escalators, such as handrail speed monitors that activate an emergency stop when a handrail slips from its groove.
• The escalators now move at a slower speed during off-peak hours. Escalators will move at 0.5m per second instead of 0.75mso that it is safer for the elderly and young children.
• Skirt deflectors – barriers between the escalator steps and the side panels – have been installed. This will help to prevent people’s feet and clothes from getting caught in the gap.
• There will be lit-up arrows indicating the directions of the escalators.
• Step sensors have been placed that will stop the escalator if a step is not properly installed.
• Floor plate switches have been installed that will alert the staff if a floor plate is not properly closed and levelled.
A reliable rail network requires regular maintenance to improve the safety and reliability of the rail transit system. Together with the Land Transport Authority (LTA), SMRT is undertaking renewal works for better and smoother rides for commuters. SMRT has shifted more than half of the track circuits to the new system. Enhancements to power supply reliability have been made. In June 2019, SMRT completed installation of the Voltage Limiting Device on the NSEWL, which will help in the regulation of return voltage and prevent tripping of DC power, and identification of the location of power faults. As part of the long-term fleet renewal programme by LTA, SMRT is replacing aging trains on the NSEWL with 106 new Bombardier trains.
Commenting on the rail renewal works, SMRT Chairman, Seah Moon Ming, said: “Renewal projects for the North-South and East-West Lines’ (NSEWL) power supply systems, track circuits and trains continued unabated even during the pandemic.”
Seah Moon Ming further added: “When completed, the brownfield renewal projects will allow the NSEWL – two of Singapore’s oldest rail lines – to accommodate more trains and reduce waiting time for commuters. According to the annual Public Transport Customer Satisfaction Survey, trains and buses maintained a consistent score of 7.8 out of 10 in overall customer satisfaction.”
Conclusion
Singapore is expanding the rail system, improving rail reliability, and building more accessible commuter infrastructure to achieve its goal of a car-lite nation. Beyond this, LTA and transport operators like SMRT are also piloting new technologies and innovations to make commuting more convenient and comfortable. Rail renewal and expansion projects will strengthen the connectivity and resilience of Singapore’s land travel network.
About the Author
Jiwon Lee
Jiwon has been working as a project manager at a leading transport technology company. She is an enthusiast of new innovations in the land transport system and loves to shed her views on the same.
