New rail facility will aim to reduce MRT testing closures

Singapore

SINGAPORE will build an integrated train testing centre (ITTC) to put new trains and rail systems through their paces without the risk of disrupting service on operational lines.

To be located on a 50 ha site at the former Raffles Country Club in Tuas - which has been acquired for the suspended Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail project - the centre is expected to be the first of its kind in Asia when it is ready around 2022.

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced the plans during a visit to rail operator SMRT's new North-South, East-West line operations control centre (OCC) in Kim Chuan depot on Wednesday morning.

He said that the ITTC will be modelled on similar facilities in Germany, South Korea and Japan. "It will cost us a few hundred million to build," he said. "It is a worthwhile investment."

He explained that the centre will be able to carry out testing "robustly, round the clock", and away from operational lines. "This will free up limited engineering hours, and reduce the need to close our MRT lines," he noted, referring to the early closure and late openings in place. "This will enhance the service levels provided to commuters."

He added that the ITTC will be also be able to handle integrated systems testing across all existing and future MRT lines. "By providing the local rail industry with a testbed for understanding the intricacies of new rail systems, the ITTC will deepen our railway operations and maintenance expertise," he said, adding that this would enhance rail reliability.

The minister said that when the centre is ready by 2022 or so, it will be in time to receive new trains and systems for Circle Line 6 for testing. "By that time, the North-South and East-West lines will be completely renewed too," he said, referring to the upgrading of power systems, trains and track circuits on the two oldest lines.

In earlier estimates, these three renewal projects were slated to be completed by 2024. Three earlier major asset renewal projects - resignalling, sleeper and power rail replacements - have been completed.

As a result, the two lines have become less prone to breakdowns, although train speeds have not yet returned to pre-2011 levels.

SMRT's North-South, East-West line OCC was previously at Victoria Street, where it had operated for 32 years. With its move, Kim Chuan depot is now the nerve centre for the two oldest lines as well as the Circle Line. The new OCC is 50 per cent bigger than the previous one in Victoria Street.

The operator has also moved its headquarters from North Bridge Road to Paya Lebar Quarter.