Bukit Panjang LRT Renewal Hits 88% Completion, Aims for 2026 Finish

As of November 16, 2023, the renewal works for the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) system in Singapore are approximately 88% complete, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA). This significant milestone marks progress in a project that began in 2018 and is expected to conclude by the end of 2026. The upgrades aim to enhance rail reliability and provide smoother rides for passengers, a critical improvement given the line’s history of operational challenges since its inception in 1999.

Details of the Renewal Works

The renewal initiative addresses long-standing reliability issues that have been highlighted by former Transport Ministers, particularly during incidents of disruption in July 2023. Central to the renewal is the replacement and enhancement of the power rail system, which has been in service since the BPLRT began operations.

“The renewal works are not solely about replacing parts. They also involve redesigning components and introducing modularized parts,” the LTA stated. These enhancements facilitate smoother transitions for light rail vehicles moving between power rail segments and simplify maintenance processes.

On a recent Saturday, media representatives were invited to observe the power rail replacement at Bangkit LRT station. The operation commenced around 1 a.m., following a safety briefing for the 49 workers involved. They transported equipment to the platform and executed the replacement within a tight two-and-a-half-hour window before service resumed at 5 a.m.

The power rail spans 17 kilometers across the BPLRT network, with approximately 45 meters replaced each night. Each segment consists of five parallel aluminum rods that supply electricity to the trains. The workers employed a stud welding method for the replacement, which is noted for being quicker and generating less noise compared to traditional thermal welding.

Signalling System and Train Fleet Upgrades

Another significant achievement in the renewal process is the update of the train signalling system to the Communications Based Train Control (CBTC). The LTA described this upgrade as a “major undertaking,” necessitating the integration of new technology with existing infrastructure. The transition to the CBTC system was completed on November 8, 2025, following extensive testing across various operational scenarios.

Additionally, as of October 2023, all 19 new light rail vehicles (LRV) have been deployed, and the existing fleet of 13 second-generation LRVs has been upgraded to ensure compatibility with the new signalling system. The LTA is also renovating the Operations Control Centre (OCC), which serves as the operational hub for the BPLRT, to enhance coordination and monitoring capabilities.

The upgraded OCC will feature an ergonomic layout and additional overhead displays, allowing for improved management of operations. Until the renovations are complete, an interim OCC is in use.

Addressing Legacy Issues

The Bukit Panjang LRT, Singapore’s first light rail line, has faced technical difficulties and breakdowns since it opened in 1999. In 2017, then-Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan characterized the line as an “afterthought,” highlighting its problematic design. In 2024, Chee Hong Tat, the then-Minister for Transport, acknowledged the ongoing renewal efforts as essential for rectifying these “legacy problems” and improving services for commuters.

While the LTA initially projected the renewal works would conclude in 2024, the timeline was extended to 2026 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as noted by then-Transport Minister S Iswaran in 2022. The ongoing upgrades aim not only to rectify existing issues but also to ensure a more reliable and efficient transportation option for future generations of commuters.