In a significant upgrade to public transport, the first two of 25 new light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the Sengkang-Punggol LRT line officially entered service on 15 July 2024. This wait has finally come to an end for Punggol and Sengkang residents, who have been anticipating this development for years.
Improved Train Features
The new two-car trains, which will initially operate on the Punggol West and East loops over the next two weekends, are designed for greater passenger comfort and capacity. Each train can accommodate about 200 passengers, featuring:
- Ergonomic seating
- Brighter, energy-efficient LED lighting
- Clearer LCD passenger information displays
- Enhanced air-conditioning systems
- Inter-car doors for faster evacuation in emergencies
Future Plans
These improvements are part of the broader plan to transition to a fully modernised fleet by the end of 2028. Once completed, the Sengkang-Punggol LRT will have a total of 33 two-car LRVs, replacing the older models currently in service.
Supportive Infrastructure
To support the new fleet, the existing LRT depot will undergo significant expansion—from 3.5 hectares to 11.1 hectares. This will include the construction of additional reception tracks and substations to meet the increased power demands, which is essential for a larger fleet.
Senior Minister of State for Transport, Sun Xueling, who was present at the launch, expressed her appreciation for the support from the community: “Residents of Punggol and Sengkang have been looking forward to this development for many years now. We hope for their understanding as we enhance transport connectivity.”
As new services are rolled out, minimal service adjustments will be necessary along parts of the Sengkang-Punggol LRT line. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SBS Transit are expected to provide updates regarding these changes.