Sentosa Express to get S$30m upgrade

Singapore

HITACHI Asia, a subsidiary of Japanese tech giant Hitachi, has won a S$30 million contract from the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) to upgrade the Sentosa Express light rail system connecting Sentosa island with Singapore.

Under the contract, Hitachi will install a wireless signalling system known as CBTC (communication-based train control) and provide another train set comprising two carriages.

A Hitachi spokesman said the upgrade will enable the Sentosa Express to cater to more passengers and so serve an increasing number of visitors visiting the popular island resort.

The CBTC is a signalling system for urban transportation systems such as the monorail. It uses wireless to transmit information on the train's position and speed, enabling the operator to shorten the distance between two trains without compromising on safety. This reduces the time interval required between trains and shaves waiting time for guests. The improvement in train efficiency will also allow for the addition of another two-carriage train on the rail network. The contract includes the supply of this new train.

Hitachi will also install what is known as an automatic train operations (ATO) function in the network. With this, the computer system takes full control of the train, relieving train captains of the need to do this manually. This frees them up to for other functions such as managing safety and security on the train.

Mike Barclay, chief executive of SDC, said the Sentosa Express is a bespoke system created by Hitachi to cater to the unique needs of Sentosa. "We are pleased to award this contract to Hitachi as we continue to work together to provide our guests with a safe, efficient and comfortable people-mover solution," he added.

The Sentosa Express was launched in 2007 with Hitachi providing six train sets comprising 12 carriages, the signalling and power supply, operating systems and track switches, systems design and systems integration.

Alistair Dormer, the CEO of Hitachi Rail Global, said his company was excited to work with SDC once again to provide a better user experience for the Sentosa Express.

"Hitachi will continue to keep a close relationship with SDC to provide a safe and pleasant journey for all guests to Sentosa," he said.