BUKIT PANJANG LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM

BUKIT PANJANG LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM

37.

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Transport (a) for the past three years, what is the number breakdown occurrences at the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) and how long are the stoppages; (b) whether the BPLRT system has met the level of service standards required; and (c) whether there are adequate back-up plans to assist commuters in the event of a breakdown.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: From 2008 to November 2010, BPLRT experienced 32 disruptions exceeding 10 minutes. Of these disruptions, eight lasted more than 30 minutes. The longest disruption lasted for four hours in September 2009. The majority of these disruptions were the result of technical faults to the signalling system or trains, and the remainder were due to track intrusions or extreme weather events.

The operator, SMRT Light Rail Pte Ltd, is required to meet the Operating Performance Standards (OPS) prescribed by the LTA. Amongst others, the operator is required to comply with the System Service Availability (SSA) standard, which stipulates the availability of LRT services at 99.5% in any month. Over the last three years, BPLRT has met the SSA standard, averaging 99.93% monthly. In months in which the breakdowns occur, the system availability falls, but the operator has managed to recover the services such that they have been able to meet the 99.5% availability requirement for the month.

Nevertheless, the occurrence of any disruption is an inconvenience to commuters. The LTA works proactively with the operator on measures to ensure that the expected level of service delivery can be maintained. On its part, the operator carries out regular and preventive maintenance for BPLRT, including pre-emptive replacement of critical equipment based on manufacturers' recommendations. The operator is also engaging

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Bombadier, the original equipment manufacturer of the BPLRT, to study how the reliability of the BPLRT system can be further improved.

In spite of these measures, service disruptions occur from time to time. In the case of breakdowns, the operator has a comprehensive Rail Incident Management Plan (RIMP) and Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) to manage the situation, and minimise inconvenience to commuters. This includes helping commuters disembark safely, providing timely updates to the public, ensuring prompt restoration of services and providing alternative forms of transport like free bus bridging services for disruptions exceeding 30 minutes. In addition, the operator works with various agencies such as the Singapore Civil Defence Force to ensure that these plans are updated regularly, to ensure their relevance in dealing with various scenarios. In the most recent incident in November 2010 which was reported in the media, commuters had to be evacuated by walking along the viaduct. SMRT staff were deployed to guide passengers back to the station platforms. I assure you that the commuters were safe at all times.

We would also like to assure Mr Liang that the LTA remains committed to ensuring the delivery of quality service to commuters, and will continue to monitor the service levels on the BPLRT closely.