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“Bedding-in” period of several months to be expected for DTL2: Khaw

SINGAPORE — Commuters can expect a “bedding-in” period of several months before the new Downtown Line 2 (DTL2) stabilises, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan today (Dec 21).

A peek at the completed train rail lines inside the tunnel at  Bukit Panjang MRT Station along Downtown Line 2. TODAY file photo

A peek at the completed train rail lines inside the tunnel at Bukit Panjang MRT Station along Downtown Line 2. TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — Commuters can expect a “bedding-in” period of several months before the new Downtown Line 2 (DTL2) stabilises, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan today (Dec 21).

Calling it “common for all new lines”, Mr Khaw added that while the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SBS Transit engineers have chalked up thousands of tests during many months of preparation, issues could still occur.

“LTA and SBST engineers have spent many months preparing and testing the entire system, from the operations control centre to the trains and tunnels. This includes a very large number of tests on the integration between DTL1 and DTL2,” said Mr Khaw.

“While they can perform all forms of testing in a simulated environment, they cannot fully replicate how the system will actually perform in a live environment involving thousands of commuters.”

Mr Khaw noted that there were disruptions in the months following the DTL1 opening in Dec 2013, and added that there could be more challenges for DTL2.

“There were two disruptions in January and March 2014. One involved a train’s emergency brake and the other, a power trip. This time round, when we need to integrate a new stretch of the line with another that is already in operation, we can expect more challenges,” said Mr Khaw.

Although the engineers were currently working hard to minimise any disruptions, Mr Khaw stressed that the worst must also be anticipated.

“We must... have drawer plans for contingencies in the event that disruptions do occur,” said Mr Khaw.

 

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