Status Operational Services 2 | Termini Punggol | |
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Type Automated guideway transit/People mover System Light Rail Transit (Singapore) Stations 15 (2 not in operation) | ||
The Punggol LRT Line is an automated guideway transit line in Singapore. The line, which initially opened on 29 January 2005, connects the residential districts and suburbs of Punggol to Punggol Town Centre, where it connects with the North East MRT Line and the Punggol Bus Interchange. It is the third line of the LRT system in Singapore and like all other lines, it is fully elevated and uses automated trains.
Contents
The first phase is a 10.3-kilometre (6.4 mi) line with 15 stations in two loops. Provisions has been made for a northern spur line, starting from Teck Lee, which will serve the future Punggol North area. However, this plan was aborted with the change in the Punggol master plan.
History
Plans for the Punggol LRT Line were drawn up and announced in January 1999 with the development of Punggol New Town. Construction began in June 2000 by a consortium comprising SembCorp Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Corporation, at a cost of S$354 million. The first phase was completed in June 2004, and underwent testing by the Land Transport Authority. The system was handed over to SBS Transit on 1 December 2004, which conducted more trial runs and staff training before the opening of the East Loop on 29 January 2005. The West Loop opened on 29 June 2014.
Improvements
On 31 October 2012, the Land Transport Authority announced that by 2016 the Sengkang and Punggol lines would be upgraded to two-car trains, doubling the passenger capacity. An additional 16 more cars were to be ordered, bringing the total fleet size to 57. The longer trains also required modifications to the signalling and communication system.
On 29 December 2016, trains started operating in the two-car formations on the line's East loop during morning and evening peak hours from 6.45am to 8.45am and from 6.15pm to 8.15pm. Service frequency will be maintained at three to four minutes during morning and evening peak hours.
Services
There are four services in total, with two services on each loop. The East loop operates in both directions, while the West Loop operates one way at a time.
Rolling stock
Trains operating on the line are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Crystal Movers C810s and C810As. Trains operate from the Sengkang Depot which provides maintenance and train overhaul facilities for both the Punggol and Sengkang lines.
Train Formation
The original system comprises of single-car C810s. Each unit is 11,200 millimetres (11.2 m) long and can carry up to 105 passengers. 16 original C810s were modified to allow two-car train operation and 16 C810As came with this configuration. This boosted capacity to 204 per trip.