Introduction to the MRT

The Downtown Line is the fifth line to be introduced into the Mass Rapid Transport
system and is coloured blue on the system map. SBS Transit is currently operating this line.

Designed as a medium-capacity radial line, the Downtown Line boasts as the longest fully
underground and automated rapid transit line in the world. Spanning 41.9km with 34 stations
from the northwest to the eastern part of Singapore, the line opens rail connections in Bukit
Timah and provides an alternative to the East-West Line.

As with newer train lines, the stations feature curated artworks as part of the Art in Transit
programme. The artworks for Beauty World, Jalan Besar and Expo stations are selected
through the Downtown Line Art in Transit competition.

The Thomson-East Coast Line is the sixth line to be introduced into the MRT
system and is coloured brown on the system map.
The line is designed to be a medium-capacity line and is a fully automated & driverless.
When fully completed, it will span 43km with 32 stations. The first two stages of the line
opened in 2020 and 2021, with subsequent stages opening in 2022, 2024 and 2025. As of
now, the train service is only from Woodlands North to Caldecott.
The Thomson-East Coast Line will serve as an alternative to the North-South Line from
Woodlands to Marina Bay while providing new access to the train network for commuters in
the East Coast area.
All Thomson-East Coast Line stations will also feature Art in Transit.
 The North-East Line is the third line to be introduced into the MRT system and is
coloured purple on the system map. SBS Transit is currently operating this line.

It is the first pioneering system in the world to utilise a radio CBTC system in 2003,
communicating via the IAGO waveguide. The fully underground and automated line currently
spans 20km long with 16 stations, providing a direct connection from the north-eastern
corridor of Singapore to the city.

FACTS: Trains on the NS, CC, and DT ‘s doors can move!

An automatic interlocking relay system which prevents the train from moving off when
the train doors are not properly closed. However, during the journey between stations,
the doors can be opened to a maximum of 10cm. This is not a design fault but a feature
that allows items, which were stuck in between the doors, to be removed. However,
please do not try to pry open any doors.

The Bombardier MOVIA C951 trains are the first generation of rolling stock for the
Downtown Line.
92 trains of three cars each have been purchased under contracts 951 and 951A and are
housed in Kim Chuan and Gali Batu Depots.
The use of medium-frequency converters instead of conventional converters result in weight
savings, and each train has an overall weight reduction of 5 tonnes. This would translate to
fleet-wide energy savings of 2000MWh per year, enough to power 430 HDB flats.
The trains are made from high-capacity aluminium car bodies, resulting in slow-life cycle
costs. This makes the train 90% recyclable at the end of its life cycle.
The train sports a white exterior with flat, slanted sides. The head of the train is designed
such that they are aerodynamic.
FEATURES:

(a. Seats at the ends of each train car have been changed to perch seats, creating wider
standing space for commuters.)
(b. Red LED light lines that are positioned above each door will light up when the doors
are closing.)
Train info: 9001 – 9092 (92), 80 km/h, L:70.1 m B:3.2 m H:3.7 m, 130 seats.

The Kawasaki Heavy Industries & CRRC Qingdao Sifang T251 trains are the first
generation of rolling stock for the Thomson-East Coast Line.
91 trains of 4 cars each are bought for the Thomson-East Coast Line, which will be fully
automated. The trains have been in service since 31 January 2020.The stations officially
open to the public are from Woodlands North to Gardens by the Bay (stage 3). It is expected
to be completed by 2040.
The trains will be housed in Mandai Depot and the new East Coast Integrated Depot in the
future.
 (Still under construction)

Train info: 2001 – 2091 (91), 90 km/h, L:92.9 m B:3.2 m H:3.68 m, 156 seats [batch 1]

 The Alstom Metropolis C751A trains are Singapore's first rolling stock that uses
Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC).
It is also the first generation of rolling stock for SBS Transit's North-East Line and has been
in passenger service since 20 June 2003.
There are 25 trains of six cars each, all of which are housed in Sengkang Depot. Unique to
the North-East Line, the trains are powered through overhead catenary.
A uniformed interior colour scheme of purple and beige is implemented across the whole
train.

Train info: 7001/7002-7049/7050 (25), 90 km/h, L:138.5 m B:3.2 m H:3.7 m, 240/296 seats

REFURBISHMENT ALERT! ⚠

Several new features in some trains include refreshed interior with purple-colour seats,
better air-conditioning, and dynamic route displays (replaying old LED stickers).

The Alstom Metropolis C751C trains are the second-generation rolling stock for the
North-East Line.
18 trains of six cars each were purchased and housed in Sengkang Depot and have been in
passenger service since 1 October 2015.
 (Reserved seats in red)

(The bottom of each door has a gap reducer made of

rubber that protrudes out, reducing the platform-train gap. This helps to prevent passenger
accidents due to the platform gap.)

The new Alstom Metropolis C851E (NEL) trains are the third generation of rolling stock
for the North-East Line. 6 trains of six cars each were purchased and will be put into service
in 2024.
The new trains are equipped with condition monitoring systems to gather data from the
equipment on the trains, enabling continuous monitoring of the health of the equipment to
allow the operator to carry out predictive maintenance for the trains.
Summary of Designed Train Speeds:
For your reference
EW & NS & DT line: 80 km/h
NE & TE line: 90 km/h
CC line: 78 km/h
BP LRT: 48 km/h
SK & PG LRT & Changi Skytrain: 70 km/h
Sentosa Express: 50 km/h

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This document was last modified on 05/3/23. ©9N Book 2023