ALSTOM’S AUTOMATED INNOVIA APM TRAIN ENTERS REVENUE SERVICE ON SINGAPORE’S BUKIT PANJANG LRT

Alstom announced the deployment of the first two trains on the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) line. The system was handed over to Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) on 16 July 2024, marking the beginning of the progressive delivery of the turnkey system.

Alstom was awarded the contract in 2018 to upgrade and renew the BPLRT system. The contract included a comprehensive signalling system upgrade. The current Alstom Cityflo 550 fixed block rail control and signalling system is being upgraded to the advanced Cityflo 650 Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) solution.

As part of the agreement, Alstom will supply a fleet of 19 Innovia APM 300R cars and retrofit 13 existing Innovia APM cars. The first Innovia 300R vehicles arrived in Singapore in April 2022, where they subsequently underwent extensive testing and commissioning by the transport regulator.

Yann Maixandeau, Managing Director, Singapore and Malaysia, Alstom said, “With over 50 years of expertise in automated people mover systems, Alstom is committed to delivering advanced, eco-friendly, and reliable mobility solutions. The upgraded BPLRT trains will feature state-of-the-art technologies, ensuring a safer, more comfortable, and efficient journey for all passengers. This milestone underscores our commitment to enhancing urban mobility in Singapore, providing residents with a seamless and sustainable travel experience.”

New and improved features
The Innovia APM 300R on BPLRT uses the advanced Cityflo 650 signalling system with wireless communication for optimal capacity, ensuring faster, more efficient, fully automated, and driverless journeys. These trains also feature an advanced condition monitoring system to prevent faults, prioritising passenger comfort and safety.

Designed with an emphasis on eco-design approach and advanced technologies, the Innovia APM 300R includes smart climate control, centralised train control, regenerative braking, and energy-efficient systems. Additionally, the Innovia APM 300R trains have smart privacy innovations such as automatically dimming windows, which cater to the line’s proximity to residential areas.