Faster trains along North-South Line from fourth quarter

SINGAPORE — After putting up with slower trains on stretches of the North-South Line for almost two years, commuters will get some respite as early as October, with the sleeper replacement work nearing completion and train speeds being gradually increased.

By the middle of next year, trains will resume travelling at 80kmh throughout the line — double the speed limit imposed on affected tracks under the replacement programme.

Speaking to reporters in the early hours of yesterday, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said work is on track for completion in the next year or so. “From around the fourth quarter of this year ... I think commuters will find that their journeys to their respective destinations (will be) a bit shorter than what they are today,” said Mr Lui, who was visiting the train tracks between Bishan and Ang Mo Kio MRT stations to observe the sleeper replacement work.

Following two major disruptions on the North-South Line in December 2011, the replacement programme for the line was started in November 2012. Concrete sleepers are being used to replace timber ones as they are sturdier and have twice the lifespan.

At sections where work is being done, temporary speed restrictions are enforced.

To date, about one-third of the sleepers on the North-South Line have been changed. This is about 17 per cent of the 188,000 wooden sleepers on the North-South and East-West lines that have to be replaced.

The tender for the sleeper replacement work for the East-West Line will be put up soon, Mr Lui said.

The replacement programme for both the North-South and East-West lines was originally scheduled for completion by 2019. The deadline was brought forward to 2016 after SMRT bought road-rail vehicles (RRVs) to help workers lift and position the concrete sleepers, which weigh 250kg each.

Currently, there are 10 RRVs used to carry out the work and the operator plans to introduce two more.

Each night, more than 300 concrete sleepers are installed. Mr Lui said the early closure of some stations by half an hour had also helped in accelerating the work.

Commuters TODAY spoke to were relieved to hear that journey times will be shortened on the North-South Line.

Mr Matthew Wong, a 25-year-old civil servant who takes the train to work from Kembangan to Yishun, said trains are especially slow along the stretch between the Bishan and Yishun MRT stations. Even though the additional journey time amounted to just one to two minutes, he said the slower speed is “frustrating”. He added: “You can see the cars and buses outside (the train windows) going faster than your train, even during heavy traffic.”

Ms Cheryl Chia, a 24-year-old writer, pointed out that slower trains also meant longer waiting times. For this reason and the service disruptions, Ms Chia, who travels from Bishan to Orchard four times a week, said she has avoided using the North-South Line.

Ms Rosy How, an administrator, welcomed the prospect of faster train speeds. “But the line is still ridiculously crowded. And sometimes, the train’s air-conditioning is not working so it’s very hot,” the 50-year-old said.

Apart from thanking foreign workers involved in the sleeper replacement work, Mr Lui acknowledged the patience of commuters, as well as that of residents who have had to put up with noise. He said he has asked SMRT to look into the possibility of organising visits for residents to witness the work and get “an idea of what’s going on and how important the work is”.

An LTA spokesperson said the details will be worked out and the visits will be conducted safely, without affecting the progress of the work.