The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Wednesday (June 14) that a contract worth S$589 million has been awarded for the Cross Island Line (CRL) expansion. A consortium consisting of CRRC Qingdao Sifang and Singapore CRRC Sifang Railway Vehicles Service will provide 44 new six-car trains for the CRL, with the option to purchase an additional 11 trains and long-term service support.
The fully automated trains will be designed and manufactured in Qingdao, China by the consortium. Delivery of the trains is expected to take place progressively from 2027. Phase 1 of the CRL, spanning from Aviation Park to Bright Hill, is projected to be completed by 2030.
Each car of the new trains will feature five doors on each side, similar to the trains on the Thomson-East Coast Line. Phase 2 of the CRL, scheduled to open in 2032, will introduce six additional stations including Turf City, King Albert Park, Maju, Clementi, West Coast, and Jurong Lake District.
With a planned third phase, the total length of the CRL will reach 50km, making it Singapore’s longest fully underground line. It will serve existing and future developments in the eastern, western, and north-eastern parts of the country. Nearly half of the CRL’s stations will serve as interchange stations with other rail lines when fully operational.
To enhance commuter accessibility within the trains, the gangway, which connects each train car, will be widened to 1.6m compared to the standard 1.4m on other train lines. The new trains will be powered by a 1500V D.C. Overhead Conductor Rail (OCR) system, ensuring increased energy efficiency compared to a typical 750V D.C. third rail system, according to the LTA.
Furthermore, the trains will be equipped with condition monitoring and diagnostic systems to detect potential equipment faults early. Some trains will also include an Automated Track Inspection system that monitors the running rail and OCR’s condition in real-time.
LTA highlighted that CRRC Sifang has a proven international track record, having supplied trains to various cities such as Beijing, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Chicago, and Sao Paulo. The authority has previously procured trains from the Qingdao-based railway company for the North-South-East-West Line and Thomson-East Coast Line through a consortium formed with Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing.
Construction for Phase 1 of the CRL, Singapore’s eighth MRT line, commenced on January 18 and will consist of 12 stations. The CRL expansion is set to enhance transportation connectivity and improve commuting experiences for residents across the island.
