SINGAPORE: SMRT will overhaul 20-year-old trains in its fleet as part to reduce incidence of train faults, it announced on Wednesday (Nov 16).
The 19 German-made Siemens C651 make up Singapore’s second oldest fleet of trains which have been in service on the North-South and East-West Lines.
The upgrade for the SIE C651 trains is the largest and most comprehensive programme of its kind planned and executed by rail engineers in Singapore, SMRT said. It is expected to be completed in 2018. The trains will be “virtually rebuilt” with new components that replace 20-year-old technology.
The upgrade will also extend the lifespan of the SIE C651 fleet by another 15 to 20 years, making it fit for operations until 2041 at least.
“VIRTUALLY REBUILT”
According to SMRT, the upgraded trains will have new energy-efficient traction motors, new air-conditioning and better doors.
There will also be LCD panels that give passengers information on their train route as well as the next station. These electronic signboards will also keep commuters informed on passenger service updates and show “other exciting media offerings”, SMRT said.
STARiS 2.0. (Photo: SMRT)
The “more reliable” electric doors will replace existing pneumatic doors. These have fewer parts are touted to be safer for commuters, with high sensitivity to obstructions. There will also be visual cues like flashing lights before doors are closed to enhance safety for hearing-impaired commuters, as well as those who have headphones on.
The seats, lighting and public announcement systems on the trains will be refurbished as well, with two wheelchair bays available per train.
Improved seats, lighting in the new trains. (Photo: SMRT)
A new Trains Information Management System will be fitted into the upgraded SIE C651 trains to feed data to SMRT’s operation control and maintenance operation centres in order improve real-time monitoring of train functions.
Commuters can expect the first of the upgraded SIE C651 trains to be put into service from the second quarter of 2017, the transport operator said.
