Plans for Light Rail Transit Systems

Mr Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether there are more plans for LRT systems in terms of building newer LRT systems and improving the infrastracture of present LRT systems; and (b) whether he will provide an update on the service quality of the two LRT systems in Bukit Panjang and Sengkang.

Mr Lui Tuck Yew: LRT systems serve as feeder services to connect commuters to the MRT system or trunk bus services. In deciding the most suitable transport option to support a particular town, LTA considers factors like land use plans, expected ridership and projected costs. LRT systems remain a future possible option for densely populated towns, where there is sufficient ridership to justify the cost of building and operating such a system.

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Ridership on Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) and the Sengkang and Punggol LRT (SPLRT) systems has increased in recent years. Accordingly, operators have implemented capacity enhancement measures to cater to higher loading levels.

Additional trains were injected into both Sengkang and Punggol LRT systems earlier this year, resulting in higher train frequencies for commuters. In addition, SBST started operating Punggol East LRT in two directions throughout the day instead of only during the morning peak. Commuters taking Punggol East LRT can now travel in either direction, improving their travel times.

Plans are also in place for the longer term. LTA is wrapping up a feasibility study for two-car operations for the SPLRT to further increase capacity. The findings from the study will be shared in a few months' time.

For the BPLRT, an additional 13 train-cars are also being procured, with delivery expected in 2014. This will boost the BPLRT peak capacity by approximately 50%. In the interim, SMRT buses has launched its Bukit Panjang Supplementary Service 1 (BPS 1) on 24 Oct 2011. This service provides residents living in the Segar, Jelapang and Senja areas of the town with an alternative travel option and helps relieve loading on the BPLRT in the immediate term.

With regard to service quality standards, both LRT operators are required to meet Operating Performance Standards (OPS) prescribed by LTA. This includes compliance with the System Availability standard which stipulates the availability of LRT services at 99.5% for each month. BPLRT and SPLRT have complied with these standards over the last three years.

Despite this, we acknowledge an increase in the number of BPLRT incidents over time. BPLRT experienced seven incidents lasting more than 10 minutes in 2009; this number increased to 18 incidents for both 2010 and 2011 (Jan to Sep). In comparison, the number of SPLRT incidents lasting more than 10 minutes fell from 23 incidents in 2010 to nine in 2011 (Jan to Sep).

To improve the service quality of BPLRT, SMRT Light Rail (SLRT) has committed some $3 million in system improvement action plans for the BPLRT. These are expected to reduce the incidence of service delays and disruptions, resulting in better service levels for commuters. LTA and SLRT are also engaging Bombardier, the original manufacturer of the BPLRT system, to explore how the system's service quality can be further improved.

LTA will continue to work closely with the operators to enhance capacity and service levels of transport services in the Bukit Panjang, Sengkang and Punggol towns.