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Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)

The Mass Rapid Transit or MRT (; ; ) is a rapid transit system that forms the backbone of the railway system in Singapore, spanning the entire city-state. The initial section of the MRT, between Yio Chu Kang Station and Toa Payoh Station, opened in 1987 establishing itself as the second-oldest metro system in Southeast Asia, after Manila's LRT System. The network has since grown rapidly as a result of Singapore's aim of developing a comprehensive rail network as the main backbone of the public transport system in Singapore with an average daily ridership of 1.564 million in FY07/08, about half of the bus network's 2.969 million in the same period.

The MRT has 66 operating stations with 113.2 kilometres of lines and operates on standard gauge. The rail lines have been constructed by the Land Transport Authority, a department of the government of Singapore, which allocates operating concessions to the profit-based corporations SMRT Corporation and SBS Transit. These operators also run bus and taxi services, thus ensuring that there is a full integration of public transport services. The MRT is complemented by the regional Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems that link MRT stations with HDB public housing estates.Land Transport Authority, Singapore 1996, pg. 8 Services operate from about 5:30 am and usually end before 1 a.m. daily with frequencies of approximately three to eight minutes, and services extended during festive periods.

So far, all built stations are in operation except Woodleigh Station. Since 1987, the Land Transport Authority has been expanding the system in order to connect every neighbourhood/region in Singapore. The North South Line, East West Line and North East Line are operational, while the Circle MRT Line and Downtown Line are under construction. Construction schedules for the Thomson Line and Eastern Region Line have been announced.

History

The origins of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) are derived from a forecast by city planners in 1967 which stated the need for a rail-based urban transport system by 1992.Sharp 2005, pg. 66 Following a debate on whether a bus-only system would be more cost-effective, the Parliament came to the conclusion that an all-bus system would be inadequate, since it would have to compete for road space in a land-scarce country. The initial S$5 billion construction of the Mass Rapid Transit network was Singapore's largest public works project at the time, starting on 22 October 1983 at Shan Road.Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Singapore 1988, pg. 8-9 The network was built in stages, with the North South Line given priority because it passed through the Central Area that has a high demand for public transport. The Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC), later renamed as SMRT Corporation — was established on 14 October 1983; it took over the roles and responsibilities of the former provisional Mass Rapid Transit Authority. On 7 November 1987, the first section of the North South Line started operations, consisting of five stations over six kilometres. Fifteen more stations were opened later, and the MRT system was officially launched on 12 March 1988 by Lee Kuan Yew, then Prime Minister of Singapore. Another 21 stations were subsequently added to the system; the opening of Boon Lay Station on the East West Line on 6 July 1990 marked the completion of the system two years ahead of schedule.Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Singapore 1988, pg. 10Sharp 2005, pg. 109

The MRT has subsequently been expanded. This includes a S$1.2 billion expansion of the North South Line into Woodlands, completing a continuous loop.Sharp 2005, pg. 110 The concept of having rail lines that bring people almost directly to their homes led to the introduction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines connecting with the MRT network.Sharp 2005, pg. 122 On 6 November 1999, the first LRT trains on the Bukit Panjang LRT went into operation. In 2002, the Changi Airport and Expo stations were added to the MRT network. The North East Line (NEL), the first line operated by SBS Transit, opened on 20 June 2003, one of the first fully automated heavy rail lines in the world. On 15 January 2006, after intense lobbying by the public, Buangkok station was opened. The Boon Lay Extension, consisting of Pioneer and Joo Koon, began revenue service on 28 February 2009.

Current network

Facilities and services

All MRT stations are either above-ground or underground. Most underground stations are deep and hardened enough to withstand conventional aerial bomb attacks and to serve as bomb shelters.Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Singapore 1988, pg. 14 Mobile phone service is available in and between all stations on the entire MRT network. Underground stations and the trains are air-conditioned.

Every station is equipped with General Ticketing Machines (GTMs), a Passenger Service Centre, LED and plasma displays that show train service information and announcements. All stations are also equipped with restrooms and payphones, although some restrooms are located at street level. Some stations, especially the major ones, have additional amenities and services, such as retail shops and kiosks, supermarkets, convenience stores such as 7-Eleven or Cheers, automatic teller machines, and self-service automated kiosks for a variety of services. Heavy-duty escalators shuttle passengers up or down stations at a rate of 0.75 m/s, 50% faster than conventional escalators.Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Singapore, Trackline Volume 4 No. 5 (October 1987), "A safe railway for all", pg. 4-5.

The older stations on the North South Line and East West Line were not originally constructed with any accessible facilities, such as lifts, ramps, tactile guidance systems (Braille tactiles on the floor surface), wider fare gates and toilets for passengers with disabilities;Sharp 2005, pg. 176-179 authorities in the past actively discouraged use of their system by the disabled. However, these facilities are progressively installed as part of a program to make all stations accessible to the elderly and to those with disabilities.Land Transport Authority et al, Journeys Issue 42 (Jan/Feb 2003), "Get a Lift-up!", pg. 10. As of 19 February 2009, all MRT stations except Buona Vista Station are barrier free.

Depots

SMRT Corporation has four train depots: The Bishan Depot is the central maintenance depot with train overhaul facilities,Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Singapore 1988, pg. 46 while the Changi Depot and Ulu Pandan Depot inspect and house trains overnight. The underground Kim Chuan Depot houses trains for the Circle Line. Ang Mo Kio Station, Jurong East Station and Tanah Merah Station were built with a third middle track for off-service trains to stop at before they return to their depots, but the last two are now used as terminals for the North South Line and the East West Line Changi Airport Extension respectively.

The Sengkang Depot houses trains for the North East Line, the Sengkang LRT and the Punggol LRT, all operated by SBS Transit. It is the first depot to have structural provisions for an industrial development located above the depot, to minimize the wastage of land in land-scarce Singapore.

Architecture and art

Early stages of the MRT's construction paid relatively scant attention to station design, with an emphasis on functionality over aesthetics. This is particularly evident in the first few stages of the North South Line and the East West Line that opened between 1987 and 1988 from Yio Chu Kang Station to Clementi Station. An exception to this was Orchard Station, chosen by its designers to be a "showpiece" of the system and was built initially with a domed roof. Architectural themes became a more important issue only in subsequent stages, and resulted in such designs as the cylindrical station shapes on most stations between Kallang Station and Pasir Ris Station, and the perched roofs on stations to the west of Jurong East Station.

Art pieces, where present, are seldom highlighted; they primarily consist of a few paintings or sculptures representing the recent past of Singapore, mounted in major stations. The opening of the Woodlands Extension introduced bolder pieces of artwork, such as a 4,000 kg sculpture in Woodlands Station. With the opening of the North East Line, a series of artworks created under a programme called "The Art In Transit" were commissioned by the Land Transport Authority. Created by 19 local artists and integrated into the stations' interior architecture, these artworks aim to promote the appreciation of public art in high-traffic environments. The artwork for each station is designed to suit the station's identity. Only stations on the North East Line come under this programme. An art contest was held by the authorities in preparation of a similar scheme to be implemented for the upcoming Circle Line.

Expo Station on the East West Line Changi Airport Extension is adjacent to the 100,000 square metre Singapore Expo exhibition facility. Designed by Foster and Partners and completed in January 2001, the station features a large pillarless titanium clad roof in an elliptical shape that sheathes the length of the station platform. This complements a smaller 40 metre reflective stainless steel disc overlapping the titanium ellipse and visually floats over a glass elevator shaft and the main entrance.

Expansion

The MRT system had relied on its two main lines, namely the North South Line and East West Line, for more than a decade until the opening of the North East Line in 2003. While plans for these lines, as well as those currently under construction, were formulated long before, the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) publication of a white paper entitled "A World Class Land Transport System" in 1996 galvanised the government's intentions to greatly expand on the existing system.Land Transport Authority, Singapore 1996, pg. 44-47 The plans allow for the long-term replacement of the bus network by rail-based transportation as the primary mode of public transportation. It called for the expansion of the 67 kilometres of track in 1995 to over 160 in 10 to 15 years, and envisaged further expansion in the longer term. It was anticipated that daily ridership in 2020 would have grown to 4.6 million from the current 1.4 million passengers. By 2030, the government envisages a rail network of 540 kilometres — more extensive than London's 408-kilometre Tube system.

Circle Line

Currently under construction in six stages, the 35.7-kilometre Circle Line (CCL) comprising of 31 stations will be the next major rail line to open since the North East Line in 2003. When completed, the line will connect all the existing radial MRT lines and allow commuters to bypass stations in the downtown area, thereby especially reducing congestion at the City Hall and Raffles Place interchange stations. The Circle Line will also connect to Marina South via a spur line branching off Promenade Station and ending at Marina Bay Station. 3-car trainsets will run on the Circle Line, in contrast to the 6-car trainsets running on all other existing lines. On 12 February 2009, Transport Minister Raymond Lim announced that the Circle Line Stage 3 comprising Bartley, Serangoon, Lorong Chuan, Bishan and Marymount stations will commence passenger service on 30 May 2009. According to SMRT CEO Saw Phaik Hua in an interview on 4 March 2009, Circle Line Stages 1 and 2 will open in 2010 though no mention has been made about when the Circle Line Stages 4 and 5 will open. The Circle Line extension towards Marina Bay Station will commence passenger service by 2012. On 16 April 2009, the Public Transport Council (PTC) announced that the Circle Line Stage 3 will operate 2 days ahead of schedule, on 28 May 2009.

Downtown Line

Currently in various stages of planning and construction, the 40-kilometre Downtown Line (DTL) comprising of 33 stations will connect the northwestern and eastern regions of Singapore to the new downtown at Marina Bay in the south and the Central Business District. Similar to the Circle Line, 3-car trainsets will run on the Downtown Line with line capacity for 500,000 commuters daily. It will be completed in three stages with stages 1, 2 and 3 opening by 2013, 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Thomson Line

The forthcoming 27-kilometre Thomson Line (TSL) is tentatively planned to serve 18 stations. The TSL will start from the Marina Bay station and end in the northern part of Singapore. En-route, the line will traverse through the Central Business District, Ang Mo Kio, Sin Ming, Kebun Baru, Thomson, Kim Seng and Woodlands in the north. It will relieve crowding on the North South Line and reduce travel times between Woodlands and the Central Business District. The underground line is expected to be completed by 2018.

Eastern Region Line

The 21-kilometre Eastern Region Line (ERL) is tentatively planned to serve 12 stations. The ERL will start from the Marina Bay station and go east to Marina East, Tanjong Rhu, Siglap, Marine Parade and Bedok South before terminating further north at Changi. It will generally be parallel to and south of the EWL. The underground line is expected to be completed by 2020.

Extensions to existing lines

On 25 January 2008, the Government announced plans for the East West Line extension from Joo Koon Station towards Tuas. This elevated 14 kilometre East West Line extension, consisting of 5 stations from Joo Koon Station towards Tuas, is expected to commence passenger service by 2015.

Plans were also announced for the North South Line to be extended underground by a kilometre southwards beyond Marina Bay Station to serve the Marina Bay area, such as the new International Cruise Terminal which is currently under construction. Initially slated for completion by 2015, the schedule has since been brought forward to 2014.

Rolling stock

Main articles: Kawasaki C151, Siemens C651, Kawasaki/Nippon Sharyo C751B, Alstom Metropolis C830, Alstom Metropolis C751A and Bombardier MOVIA C951

Three types of rolling stock are used on the North South Line and the East West Line. They are powered by 750-volt DC third rail, operate in sets of six cars,Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Singapore 1988, pg. 15 and use an automatic train operation system (ATO) that is similar to London Underground's Victoria Line.

The majority of the fleet comprises 66 six car C151 trains; these were the oldest trains in operation. They were built between 1986 and 1989 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in consortium with Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation and Kinki Sharyo for S$581.5 million. A S$142.7 million refurbishment of these trains' interior were completed in 2008. 19 more six car C651 trains, manufactured by Siemens in Vienna, were purchased in 1994 when the Woodlands extension opened.

A further 21 six car C751B trains have been running on the East West Line and the North South Line since 2000. Kawasaki Heavy Industries manufactured 66 cars and Nippon Sharyo manufactured 60 cars. The cars have a sleeker design and come with an improved passenger information system, more grab poles, wider seats, more space near the doors and spaces for wheelchairs. As these trains were originally intended to operate on a direct service from Boon Lay to Changi Airport, luggage racks were installed for air travellers. However, in April 2002, faulty gearboxes forced all 21 train-sets to be off-service, and the service was temporarily suspended. The direct service was scrapped in July 2003, and the luggage racks were removed.

25 six car fully automatic and driverless C751A "Metropolis" trains have been running on the North East Line since 2003. These trains are running on 1500 volts direct current supplied via overhead lines and are the first MRT trains in Singapore to incorporate CCTV. Alstom Transportation of France was contracted by the Land Transport Authority in 1997 and 1998 to supply these cars.Land Transport Authority et al, Journeys Issue 42 (Jan/Feb 2003), "Safe, Sound and Fully Automated", pg. 8–9. A further 40 three car fully automatic and driverless C830 "Metropolis" trains will run on the Circle Line in 2009. These trains will run on 750-volt DC supplied via third rail.

73 three car fully automatic and driverless C951 "Movia" trains will run on the Downtown Line in 2013, with initial deliveries scheduled for the last quarter of 2012 and the final deliveries for 2016.Downtown train deal goes to Bombardier, Christopher Tan, The Straits Times, 8 November 2008 These trains will run on 750-volt DC supplied by third rail. A further 22 new six car rolling stock are on public tender, to bolster the capacity for the North South Line and East West Line. They are expected to be delivered progressively from 2011 onwards.

Fares and ticketing

Stations are divided into two areas, paid and unpaid, which allow the rail operators to collect fares by restricting entry only through the fare gates, also known as access control gates. These gates, connected to a computer network, are capable of reading and updating electronic tickets capable of storing data, and can store information such as the initial and destination stations and the duration for each trip. General Ticketing Machines sell tickets for single trips or allow the customer to purchase additional value for stored-value tickets. Tickets for single trips, coloured in green, are valid only on the day of purchase, and have a time allowance of 30 minutes beyond the estimated travelling time. Tickets that can be used repeatedly until their expiry date require a minimum amount of stored credit.

As the fare system has been integrated by TransitLink, commuters need to pay only one fare and pass through two fare gates (once on entry, once on exit) for an entire journey, even when transferring between lines operated by different companies. Commuters can choose to extend a trip mid-journey, and pay the difference as they exit their destination station.

Fares

Because the rail operators are government-assisted, profit-based corporations, fares on the MRT system are pitched to at least break-even level.Land Transport Authority, Singapore 1996, pg. 58-59 The operators collect these fares by selling electronic data-storing tickets, the prices of which are calculated based on the distance between the start and destination stations.Sharp 2005, pg. 113-115 These prices increase in fixed stages for standard non-discounted travel. Fares are calculated in increments based on approximate distances between stations, in contrast to the use of fare zones in other subway systems, such as the London Underground.

Although operated by private companies, the system's fare structure is regulated by the Public Transport Council (PTC), to which the operators submit requests for changes in fares. Fares are kept affordable by pegging them approximately to distance-related bus fares, thus encouraging commuters to use the network and reduce its heavy reliance on the bus system. Fare increases over the past few years have caused public concern, the latest one taken effect from 1 October 2008. There were similar expressions of disapproval over the slightly higher fares charged on SBS Transit's North East Line, a disparity that SBS Transit justified by citing higher costs of operation and maintenance on a completely underground line, as well as lower patronage.

Ticketing

Main articles: CEPAS

Main articles: EZ-Link

Main articles: Network for Electronic Transfers

The ticketing system is based upon the Contactless e-Purse Applications (CEPAS) system which replaces the Enhanced Intergrated Farecard System (EIFS) which will be running concurrently alongside the CEPAS system till September 2009. This system allows for up to 4 card issuers in the market. EZ-Link is currently the only card issuer in the market, although NETS will be entering the market in September 2009.

An adult EZ-Link contactless smart card may be purchased for S$15 (inclusive of a S$5 non-refundable card cost and a S$10 credit) for the payment of public transportation fares in Singapore. The cards may be purchased at any TransitLink Ticket Offices and Passenger Service Centres. The card may also be used for payment of goods and services at participating merchants, Electronic Road Pricing tolls and Electronic Parking System carparks. Additional credit may be purchased at any General Ticketing Machine (GTM).

A Standard Ticket contactless smart card may also be purchased between S$1 and S$3 (excluding a S$1 refundable card deposit)the payment of MRT and LRT fares. The card may be purchased via the GTM. The deposit may also be retrieved by returning the card to the GTM within 30 days from the date of issue or donated to charity by depositing it in a collection box at the stations.

Alternatively for tourists, a Singapore Tourist Pass contactless smart card may be purchased from S$18 (inclusive of a S$10 refundable card deposit and a 1 day pass) for the payment of public transporation fares. The cards may be purchased at selected TransitLink Ticket Offices and Singapore Visitors Centres. The deposit may be retrieved by returning the card to selected TransitLink Ticket Offices and Singapore Visitors Centres within 5 days from the date of issue.

From September 2009, the yet to be launched NETS FlashPay contactless smart card may be purchased for the payment of public transportation fares as well. A trial of the new card will be conducted in May 2009.

Safety

Assurance has been given by both operators and authorities, that numerous measures have been taken in an effort to ensure the safety of passengers, with SBS Transit having to make greater efforts in actively publicising its safety considerations on the driver-less North East Line before and after its opening. Safety campaign posters are highly visible in trains and stations, and the operators frequently broadcast safety announcements to passengers and to commuters waiting for trains. Fire safety standards are consistent with the strict guidelines of the US National Fire Protection Association. Platform screen doors are installed at all underground stations. These doors prevent suicides, enable climate control in stations and prevent unauthorised access to restricted areas. Above-ground stations have open platforms, with a wide yellow line drawn 70 cm from each platform edge requiring passengers to stand at a safe distance from arriving trains (or face a fine). Bylaws deter uncivil, disruptive and dangerous acts, such as smoking, the consumption of food and drink, the frivolous use of safety features, and trespassing on the railway tracks. Penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment are imposed for these offences.

Safety concerns were raised among the public after several accidents on the system during the 1980s and 1990s, but most problems have been rectified. On 5 August 1993, two trains collided at Clementi station because of an oil spillage on the track, which resulted in 132 injuries. There were calls for platform screen doors to be installed at above-ground stations after several incidents in which passengers were killed by oncoming trains when they fell onto the railway tracks at above-ground stations. The authorities initially rejected the proposal by casting doubts over functionality and concerns about the high installation costs, but made an about-turn when the government announced plans to install half-height automatic platform gates in a speech on 25 January 2008, citing lower costs due to it becoming a more common feature worldwide. The gates will be installed first at the Jurong East, Pasir Ris and Yishun stations in 2009, before they are introduced at all other stations by 2012.

Security

Security concerns related to crime and terrorism were not high on the agenda of the system's planners at its original inception.López, M.J.J. (1996), Den Haag: RCM-advies, "Crime Prevention Guidelines for the Construction & Management of Metro Systems", pg. 35–39. However, in the wake of heightened security concerns after the Madrid train bombings in 2004 and the foiled plot to bomb the Yishun MRT Station, the operators deployed private, unarmed guards to patrol station platforms and check the belongings of commuters.

Recorded announcements are frequently made to remind passengers to report suspicious activity and not to leave their belongings unattended. Digital closed-circuit cameras (CCTVs) have been upgraded with recording-capability at all stations and trains operated by SMRT Corporation. Trash bins and mail boxes have been removed from station platforms and concourse levels to station entrances. This is to eliminate the risk that bombs will be placed in them. Photography without prior permission was also banned in all MRT stations since.

On 14 April 2005, the Singapore Police Force announced plans to step up rail security by establishing a specialised Police MRT Unit. These armed officers began overt patrols on the MRT and LRT systems on 15 August 2005, conducting random patrols in pairs in and around rail stations and within trains. They are trained and authorised to use their firearms at their discretion, including deadly force if deemed necessary. On 8 January 2006, a major civil exercise involving over 2,000 personnel from 22 government agencies, codenamed Exercise Northstar V, simulating bombing and chemical attacks at Dhoby Ghaut, Toa Payoh, Raffles Place and Marina Bay MRT stations was conducted. Thirteen stations were closed and about 3,400 commuters were affected during the three-hour duration of the exercise.