The first Innovia APM for Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) will enter passenger service from 1 August 2024, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced.
These two vehicles are part of the batch of 19 new vehicles manufactured by Alstom Transport (S), which will gradually replace the BPLRT’s first-generation vehicles, some of which have been in service for over 20 years. By end-2025, all of the 19 new third-generation vehicles would have arrived in Singapore, in time for the full Bukit Panjang fleet to be renewed by 2026.
Alstom was awarded the contract in 2018 to upgrade and renew the BPLRT system. The contract included a comprehensive signalling system upgrade. The current Alstom Cityflo 550 fixed block rail control and signalling system is being upgraded to the advanced Cityflo 650 Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) solution.
As part of the agreement, Alstom will supply a fleet of 19 Innovia APM 300R cars and retrofit 13 existing Innovia APM cars. The first Innovia 300R vehicles arrived in Singapore in April 2022, where they subsequently underwent extensive testing and commissioning by the transport regulator.
The Innovia APM for Bukit Panjang LRT uses the Cityflo 650 signalling system with wireless communication for optimal capacity, ensuring faster, more efficient, fully automated, and driverless journeys. These trains also feature an advanced condition monitoring system to prevent faults, prioritising passenger comfort and safety.
The APM vehicle is equipped with smart climate control, centralised train control, regenerative braking, and energy-efficient systems. Additionally, the Innovia APM 300R trains have smart privacy innovations such as automatically dimming windows, which cater to the line’s proximity to residential areas.
In parallel, Singapore’s thirteen second-generation vehicles in service today are being upgraded. By mid-2025, half of the line’s fleet would have completed renewal works and return to passenger service. To serve commuters better, the new vehicles also come with new LCD monitors with dynamic coloured route displays, to help passengers better identify their current station and track the vehicles’ route. The new vehicles are also equipped with brighter, energy-efficient LED lights, and an upgraded air-conditioning system with enhanced cooling capabilities and even distribution of air throughout the vehicle.
In addition to the new vehicles, multiple concurrent activities and significant upgrades are ongoing to renew the Bukit Panjang system. Four second-generation vehicles have already been upgraded and are running in passenger service. These upgraded vehicles feature the new Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system similar to those used on the MRT lines, with backup systems that can enhance system reliability. The remaining nine second-generation vehicles will be gradually upgraded and tested in the coming months. The signalling system has also been upgraded in phases since 2022, with a new supervisory signalling system that was deployed together with the upgraded second-generation vehicles since July 2023.
LTA is refurbishing the Operations Control Centre (OCC) to enhance the overall operational management of BPLRT.
The entire power supply system for BPLRT has also been fully upgraded with increased capacity, including enhancements such as a dedicated power supply monitoring and control systems. The power rail system is also undergoing renewal works, with parts such as the rail brackets and joints being replaced with new and more robust components. All these improvements will help to improve system reliability.
The introduction of the two new third-generation vehicles marks an important milestone and LTA continues to work on the rest of the BPLRT renewal programme. The authority expects the renewal works to be completed by 2026.
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