Light Rapid Transport

By Lee, Siew Yeen written on 2001-05-28
National Library Board Singapore

Comments on article: InfopediaTalk

The Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system was developed as part of the government's plan to extend the reach and accessibility of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong announced approval for building of the first fully automated LRT system at Bukit Panjang on 10 February 1996.

Background
Work on the LRT started in April 1996 based on a S$285 million contract signed by Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA). It was officially launched on 6 November 1999 by Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Tony Tan and its operator, Singapore LRT Pte Ltd (SLRT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore MRT Ltd (SMRT).

Description
Bukit Panjang LRT consists of 13 stations along a 7.8 km elevated track. Total passenger capacity for each vehicle is 105 and it links Bukit Panjang New Town to the MRT line at Choa Chu Kang.

LRT runs overhead so as not to affect ground traffic and roads, or be affected by traffic congestion. Controlled by a central system, the trains are driver-less and have intelligent on-blur windows which prevent passengers from peering into apartments as the trains pass by. The system is monitored using a network of cameras and closed-circuit television cameras.

In the next phase, Sengkang and Punggol LRT are expected to be ready by 2002 and 2004 respectively.



Author
Lee Siew Yeen, 2001



References 
 Green light for Light Rail system (1994, December 4). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Land Transport Authority. (1999/2000). Annual Report (p. 22). Singapore: Land Transport Authority.
(Call no.: RCLOS 354.595700878 SLTAAR)

LRT a hit on very first day (1999, November 7). The Straits Times, p. 1.

6 months to fix LRT teething faults (1999, November 17). The Straits Times, p. 1.

$285m contract for LRT system signed. (1996, April 13). The Straits Times, p. 1.

SMRT. (n.d.). About us: Introduction to SMRT Light Rail Pte Ltd. Retrieved January 5, 2004, from www.smrt.com.sg/slrt/aboutus_main.htm


The information in this article is valid as at 2001 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.



Subject
Commerce and Industry>>Transportation
Street-railroads--Singapore
Transportation--Singapore
Science and technology>>Engineering>>Transportation engineering
Business, finance and industry>>Industry>>Services>>Transportation and logistics



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