LTA inked deal with SBS to enhance NEL services

Review on recent service disruptions is a top priority.

In a release, the Land Transport Authority and SBS Transit (SBST) have formed a joint team in October 2012 to further enhance the service reliability of the North East Line (NEL) and Sengkang-Punggol Light Rapid Transit (SPLRT). This is similar to the LTA-SMRT Joint Team set up earlier to improve the reliability of the North-South Line, the East-West Line and the Circle Line.

The LTA-SBST Joint Team will, as a priority, focus its attention on reviewing the underlying causes of and contributory factors to the recent service disruptions on the NEL due to component failure in the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) that supplies power to the trains, and identifying appropriate measures to address them.

The LTA-SBST Joint Team has also formulated plans to improve the reliability of the NEL in the longer term. Specifically, the Joint Team will:

1) seek to replace all U-bolts with corrosive-resistant materials that are more suitable for the current NEL tunnel environment.

2) study new materials for all 182 BWA wires, and will commence replacement works after completing the study in May 2013. The replacement works for all BWA wires is expected to be completed by mid 2014.

3) study ways to improve the OCS such that normal train operations can continue in the event of BWA wire failure. The modification works for the OCS to enhance its resilience, if feasible, are expected to commence in mid 2013.

4) engage an independent consultant to conduct a comprehensive review to enhance the overall NEL OCS, its maintenance regime, and recovery measures to allow for faster recovery from OCS incidents. The consultancy study will likely be concluded by mid 2014.