Transportation Deployment Casebook/2025/Singapore MRT

Introduction The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is amongst the most efficient, reliable and comprehensive rapid transit systems in the world and the second rapid transit system in South East Asia with the Manila Light Rail Transit being the first in the region. History of the modern mass rapid transit system https://www.scb.co.th/en/personal-banking/stories/tips-for-you/mass-transit-history 2025-03-18 www.scb.co.th en Since its inception in 1987, The MRT system currently has 240 kilometres of tracks and 160 stations with six main lines namely the North-South line, East-West line, North-East line, Circle line, Downtown line and Thomson East Coastline.LTA Rail Network https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network.html 2025-03-18 www.lta.gov.sg On top of the MRT lines, a total of two light rail systems namely the Bukit Panjang Line, Sengkang and Punggol Line have a total of 28 kilometres of tracks across 3 lines with 42 stations in total. The system currently serves over 6.0 million people with a daily ridership of over 3 million commuters.National Population and Talent Division, Strategy Group, Prime Minister’s Office Singapore Department of Statistics Ministry of Home Affairs Immigration & Checkpoints Authority Ministry of Manpower 2024 Population in Brief 2024 https://www.population.gov.sg/files/media-centre/publications/Population_in_Brief_2024.pdf Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) aims to connect 8 out of 10 households within a 10 minutes’ walk to the train stations. Hence, more MRT lines will be put into operation shortly including the current Downtown Line extension to Hume station in 2025, whereas in 2026 a few new extensions would be slated to be in operation which provide for Thomson East Coast line stage 5, Downtown Line Stage 3 and Circle line stage 6 along with the RTS link connecting Woodlands to Johor Bahru, Malaysia by the end of 2026. 2027 saw the opening of the first stage of the 7th MRT of the island which is the Jurong Region Line (JRL) with the second stage slated to open in 2028 and the final stage slated for 2029 operation. However, 2030 saw the opening of the Cross Island Line (CRL) Phase 1 and the Cross Island Lime (CRL) Punggol Island and Phase 2 slated for operation in 2032 and the Downtown Line extension 2 in 2035. By then the Singapore MRT system would be 360 kilometres of rail network. LTA Upcoming Projects https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/upcoming_projects.html#rail_expansion 2025-03-18 www.lta.gov.sg Transportation development history of Singapore Before the existence of the Singapore MRT, several forms of public transport systems existed on the island in the form of Steam Trams, Electric Trams and Trolley Buses which were operated for a brief period before World War II up till the early 1960s before motor buses became the mainstream mode of commuting. Motor buses were introduced to the island in 1919 by several private ethnic Chinese-owned companies that operated small seven-seater vehicles without licenses piled up on the streets recklessly waiting for passengers. From the 1920s to the 1930s, multiple bus companies began operating within their territories setting up their route, regulation, timetables and fare system. However, in 1935 the Municipal Ordinance ruled that only certified providers would be granted a license forcing individuals to restructure into 12 companies these later came to 11 companies after World War II. The number of companies was reduced to 4 and then to 3 in the 1970s due to corruption, strikes, overcrowding, inadequate staff training, poorly maintained buses and lack of coordination between the operators where the notable ones were the Hock Lee Bus Riots in 1955. In 1973 the issue of lack of standardisation and route duplication still persisted amongst the 3 bus operators. Hence, the government would then step in to merge these companies and form the predecessors of what was today SBS Transit which marks the start of nationalising the bus service of Singapore.Public Transportation History Of Singapore One for the Road https://livinglegacies.pluralartmag.com/2023/public-transportation-history-in-singapore/ 2025-03-18 https://livinglegacies.pluralartmag.com/2023/ en-US Background of the development of Singapore MRT system – Early Market Development The idea and proposal of building a rapid transit system in Singapore was first mooted in 1967, just two years after the young island nation was separated from Malaysia by a team of city planners from the State and City Planning Project, which was established on the same year to guide the long-term physical development in Singapore where they provide a forecast and conclude that the island needs a rail transit system by1992. This proposal was later added to the Ring Concept Plan or the 1971 Concept Plan in April 1970. To study the feasibility of implementing such a system, several feasibility studies have been conducted between the 1970s to the 1980s with the help of the United Nations Development Programme and World Bank. The first study conducted between 1972 to 1974 proposed a rail-based system to alleviate congestion and to provide mobility across the island which was reiterated in the second study conducted between 1974 to 1976. The second study also highlights the cost of implementing the MRT system which comes to be at S$1.75 billion spanning two lines running north-south and east-west. However, in the third and final study conducted between 1979 to 1980, the system would the expanded to include more stations and cover more areas which brings the cost up to S$3.9 billion. Other than the rail proposal, other alternative proposals are being proposed to the Singaporean government which are the all-bus system recommended by the Havard University team which was supported by the then finance minister Goh Keng Swee. This then evolved into a Great MRT Debate in 1980 which debated which system would Singapore likely go ahead with. Preset at the debate was Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, then Communication Minister Ong Teng Chong and then Finance Minister Goh Keng Swee. Then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew agreed to a rail-based system backed by then communication minister Ong Teng Chong that would bolster economic and social growth. The reason behind this rationale is that the 1982 Comprehensive Traffic Study shows that the all-bus proposal has some limitations due to Singapore’s limited land space.Public Transport Network https://www.sg101.gov.sg/infrastructure/case-studies/publictptnetwork/ 2025-03-18 www.sg101.gov.sg enOng Teng Cheong pushed for building MRT in S'pore, despite it being a controversial idea https://mothership.sg/2017/11/ong-teng-cheong-pushed-for-building-mrt-in-spore-despite-it-being-a-controversial-idea/ 2025-03-18 mothership.sg en In May 1982, the Singaporean government has given the green light to construct the initial phases of the MRT system for a total of S$5 billion for a 67km long system running in three lines- North-South line linking Yishun with Marina Bay, East-West line linking Pasir Ris with Boon Lay and a Western line linking Jurong town and Bukit Panjang with 42 stations.19 kilometres of the alignment runs underground while the remaining 48 kilometres are elevated. In August 1983, MRT Corporation took control of the project and active construction began in October of that year in phases up to January 1988 with commercial operation of the first section between Toa Payoh to Yio Chu Kang on 7 November 1987.MRT system begins operations https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=e926e24f-9c14-482b-b278-d582b535deb6#:~:text=The%20MRT%20system%20was%20first,Concept%20Plan)%20in%20April%201970. 2025-03-18 www.nlb.gov.sg Technology To implement and deliver the Singapore MRT system. Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC) has roped in several expertise in the form of a review team of seven members led by Kenneth Hansen from Havard and Indiana University during the initial planning and evaluation stages in 1980 to review the proposal prior to implementation. During the active construction phase, MRTC has also roped in expertise from MTR Hong Kong to assist in the construction and commissioning of the MRT system.Singapore Government Press Release 1980 Review of Proposed Mass Rapid Transit system https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/681-1980-06-05.pd thumb|A typical Singapore MRT train serving the North South Line and East West Line The Singapore MRT system is a modern and sophisticated metro network that serves Singapore. It consists of several high-capacity, electrified rail lines operating primarily on a steel-wheel-on-steel-rail system, ensuring smooth and efficient transport. Essential technological characteristics include: Driverless operation: The North East Line, Circle Line, Downtown Line and Thomson East Coast Line are fully automated (using Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) technology capable of Unattended Train Operation (UTO)), enhancing operational efficiency and reducing labour costs. Electrification: The MRT operates through a 750V DC third rail (for most lines) and 1500V DC overhead catenary (for North East Line), providing a reliable power supply. Smart Ticketing: Singapore MRT introduced an integrated fare system using the EZ Link or NETS FlashPay, which can be used in all public transit services are selected merchants and retailers. EZLink also provides one-day to five-day Singapore Travel Passes for passengers for unlimited travel in all public transport services.How To Pay SMRT https://www.smrt.com.sg/public-transport/getting-around/visiting-singapore/how-to-pay/ 2025-03-18 www.smrt.com.sghttps://www.nets.com.sg/nets/for-you/nets-flashpay 2025-03-18 www.nets.com.sgadmin Types of Singapore Tourist Passes https://thesingaporetouristpass.com.sg/type-of-passes/#stp-1 2025-03-18 The Singapore Tourist Pass en-US Platform Screen Doors: Installed in underground stations along with some half-height screen doors on elevated stations in recent years to improve passenger safety and the system efficiency. The main advantages that the Singapore MRT has delivered to the city-state over the past 3 decades would be reducing congestion, improving air quality, and enhancing urban mobility by offering a fast, efficient alternative to road-based transport. +Table 1: Different systems used in all lines (Present & Upcoming).LineRolling Stocks2016-02-24 Rolling Stock Land Transport Guru https://landtransportguru.net/train/rolling-stock/ 2025-03-18 en-USPassengersMaximum SpeedMethod of ControlWheelsNorth South Line (Red) 6-car EMU Manufacturer: Kawasaki, Siemens, CRRC Sifang, Alstom 192080 km/hFormerly: Fixed Block Supervised Train Operation (STO), Currently: Communication Based Train Control (CBTC), Driverless Train Operation (DTO)Closing Doors Are 2017-07-20 CBTC Implementation on Singapore NSEWL: A review Land Transport Guru https://landtransportguru.net/cbtc-implementation-review/ 2025-03-18 en-USSteel-wheel on steel-railEast West Line (Green) 6-car EMU Manufacturer: Kawasaki, Siemens, CRRC Sifang, Alstom 192080 km/hFormerly: Fixed Block Supervised Train Operation (STO), Currently: Communication Based Train Control (CBTC), Driverless Train Operation (DTO)Steel-wheel on steel-railNorth East Line (Purple) 6-car EMU Manufacturer: Alstom 1920100 km/hCommunication Based Train Control (CBTC), Unattended Train Operation (UTO)Steel-wheel on steel-railCircle Line (Yellow) 3-car EMU Manufacturer: Alstom 931Wayback Machine https://transport.mos.ru/common/upload/docs/1443535010_KumFattHo.pdf 2025-03-18 transport.mos.ru80 km/hCommunication Based Train Control (CBTC), Unattended Train Operation (UTO)Steel-wheel on steel-railDowntown Line (Blue) 3-car EMU Manufacturer: BombardierRailway-News 2012-10-12 Bombardier Deliver First Driverless Metro Trains For Singapore's Downtown Line https://railway-news.com/bombardier-deliver-first-driverless-metro-trains-for-singapores-downtown-line/ 2025-03-18 Railway-News en-gb 93180 km/hCommunication Based Train Control (CBTC), Unattended Train Operation (UTO)Steel-wheel on steel-railThomson East Cost Line (Brown)EMU train with four carriages Manufacturer: CRRC Sifang KawasakiNews & Events https://global.kawasaki.com/en/corp/newsroom/news/detail/?f=20140529_1100 2025-03-18 Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. en 1280SFM35动车组 - 动车组列车 - 记录高速动车组列车及城市轨道交通列车发展历程 —— 慧伊创新科技（北京）有限公司 https://china-emu.cn/Trains/CityRails/Model/M-551-T.html 2025-03-18 china-emu.cn90 km/hCommunication Based Train Control (CBTC), Unattended Train Operation (UTO)Steel-wheel on steel-railBukit Panjang LRT (Grey) Automated People Mover Manufacturer: Bombardier105 per trainFirst Light Rail Transit system https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=fe1e33e6-6770-4f4b-a800-51def14c2c04 2025-03-18 www.nlb.gov.sg55km/hCommunication Based Train Control (CBTC), Unattended Train Operation (UTO)Rubber TyredSengkang Punggol LRT (Grey) Automated People Mover Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries2023-05-09 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MHI Receives Follow-up Order for 8 Two-Car Trains for Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SPLRT) -- Additional 16 Cars to Boost Capacity of SPLRT Serving Sengkang and Punggol Districts -- https://www.mhi.com/news/23050901.html 2025-03-18 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. en105 per train80 km/hCommunication Based Train Control (CBTC), Unattended Train Operation (UTO)Rubber TyredJurong Region Line (Teal) EMU train with three carriages Manufacturer: Hyundai Rotemwww.hyundai-rotem.co.kr 현대로템 https://www.hyundai-rotem.co.kr/en/business/rail/details.do?productNm=Commuter%20Trains%20and%20Metro 2025-03-18 현대로템 en Approximately 450 per train80 km/hCommunication Based Train Control (CBTC), Unattended Train Operation (UTO)Steel-wheel on steel-railRTS Line EMU train with four carriages Manufacturer: CRRC Zhuzhou Approximately 1,087 per train2021-01-14 Technical Information - MRT Corp https://www.mymrt.com.my/projects/rts-link/technical-information/ 2025-03-18 en-US80 km/hCommunication Based Train Control (CBTC), Unattended Train Operation (UTO)Steel-wheel on steel-rail Market After the Singapore MRT began operating in 1987, it significantly changed travel patterns, serving over 3 million passengers daily. It mainly served passengers travelling between the island's central business districts and also to residential, commercial, and industrial hubs. The early market segments included: Office workers: Reduced commuting and journey time from home to workplace. Students: Providing convenient transportation to schools and universities from home results in high student patronage. Tourists: Linking major commercial, attraction and cultural districts promotes retail and tourism development. The continuous expansion of MRT into more areas and planned zones in the west like Tuas and Jurong is expected to attract even more passengers in the future. LTA East-West Line https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/east_west_line.html#:~:text=Train%20and%20Station%20Features,-Length%20of%20rail&text=In%20June%202017,%20the%20Tuas,peak%20hours%20was%20also%20reduced 2025-03-18 www.lta.gov.sgAdditionally, the MRT is well integrated with other public transportation modes, such as buses and light rail as well as cruises and monorail to Sentosa island has further increased travel demand and enhanced its connectivity to all corners of the island [8]. Policy In Singapore, eating and drinking are prohibited on the trains and at the station. However, several rules are in place in the MRT system that could result in a hefty fine if one violates them. This includes S$500.00 for eating and drinking inside the trains and stations, S$1,000.00 for smoking and the most severe of all spitting, littering, damaging railway property, bringing dangerous goods and travelling on an invalid ticket would result in a S$5,000.00 penalty.Rapid Transit Systems Regulations - Singapore Statutes Online https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/RTSA1995-RG1?DocDate=20190131&ValidDate=20190102&ProvIds=Sc- 2025-03-18 sso.agc.gov.sg en To comply with the policies enacted by the Ministry of Transport Singapore and the Public Transport Council (PTC). There are various methods of Automated fare collection for the Singapore MRT system which are distance-based fare from the ticket vending machine, fare concessionaire and Account-based ticketing where the most widely used form of this ticketing method is Ez Link. Unveiled in 2002 as an innovative cashless payment method as the successor to traditional magnetic strip cards, Ez Link offers seamless transfers from different modes of transport from MRT, and LRT to buses at a discounted rate along with purchases made at certain retail partners. SimplyGo EZ-Link Products & Services https://ezlink.simplygo.com.sg/ 2025-03-18 SimplyGo EZ-Link Products & Services en-US The integrated ticketing and fare policy aims to encourage the use of multimodal transport and facilitate seamless transfers between the various modes of transport. Growth of Singapore MRT Important timeline Initial network (First phase) Closing Doors Are 2017-12-31 History of the Singapore MRT Land Transport Guru https://landtransportguru.net/history-of-the-singapore-mrt/ 2025-03-18 en-US·       1987/11/07 - North South Line (Red): Yio Chu Kang station to Toa Payoh station ·       1987/12/12 - North South Line (Red): Toa Payoh station - Outram Park station ·       1988/03/12 – Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew officially launches the MRT system ·       1988/03/13 - North South Line (Red): Outram Park station- Tiong Baru Station - Clementi station ·       1988/11/05 - East West Line (Green): Jurong East station – Lakeside station ·       1988/12/20 - North South Line (Red): Khatib station - Yishun station ·       1989/11/04 - North South Line (Red): Bugis station – Marina Bay station ·       1989/11/04 - East West Line (Green): Bugis station – Tanah Merah station ·       1989/12/16 - East West Line (Green): Simei station – Pasir Ris station ·       1990/03/10 - North South Line (Red): Jurong Each station – Chao Chu Kang station ·       1990/03/10 - East West Line (Green): Boon Lay Station opened thumb|Singapore MRT maps as of the 1990s Subsequent Network (Expansion projects) ·       1996/02/10 - North South Line (Red): Extension: Choa Chu Kang station – Woodlands StationSingapore Government Press Release 1996 SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER GOH CHOK TONG AT THE OPENING OF WOODLANDS MRT LINE ON SATURDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 1996 AT 10.00 AM https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/19960210_0001.pdf ·       2001/10/18 - East West Line (Green): Extension: Clementi station - Dover stationSoh 2001 Dover MRT to open soon https://web.archive.org/web/20240506115339/https://litter.catbox.moe/thzu0d.PDF ·       2002/02/08 - East West Line (Green): Extension: Tanah Merah station – Changi Airport station2021-05-26 Completion Of The Changi Airport MRT Extension https://web.archive.org/web/20210526125554/http://www.mot.gov.sg/news-centre/news/Detail/Completion%20Of%20The%20Changi%20Airport%20MRT%20Extension/ 2025-03-18 web.archive.org ·       2003/06/20 - North East Line (Purple): Harbour Front station – Punggol stationNorth East Line https://www.sgtrains.com/network-nel.html#google_vignette 2025-03-18 SGTrains enC.Leong Getting There: The Story of the North East Line 2003 ·       2009/02/28 - East West Line (Green): Extension: Pioneer station – Joo Koon station2009-02-28 Channelnewsasia.com https://web.archive.org/web/20090228060947/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/411890/1/.html 2025-03-18 web.archive.org ·       2009/05/28 - Circle Line (Yellow): Bartley station - Marymount stationLand Transport Authority 2009 Early Opening for Circle Line from Bartley to Marymount https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/wayback/20130221220424/http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/PublicTransport/files/Early-Opening-for-CCL-from-Bartley-to-Marymount.pdf ·      2010/04/17 - Circle Line (Yellow): Bartley station - Dhoby Ghaut station ·       2011/10/08 - Circle Line (Yellow): Marymount station - Harbour Front station ·       2012/01/14 - Circle Line (Yellow): Marina Bay Station opened ·       2013/12/22 - Downtown Line (Blue): Bugis station - Chinatown stationLTA 2013 Downtown Line https://web.archive.org/web/20140703122517/http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltaweb/en/public-transport/projects/downtown-line/stages.html ·       2015/12/27 - Downtown Line (Blue): Bukit Panjang station - Rochor station ·       2017/06/18 - East West Line (Green): Tuas Extension: Gul Circle station – Tuas Link station ·       2017/10/21 - Downtown Line (Blue): Fort Canning station – Expo station ·       2020/01/31 - Thomson East Cost Line (Brown): Woodland North station – Woodland South station2019-12-11 First three stations of Thomson-East Coast Line to begin service on Jan 31; free travel for commuters for three days en The Straits Times https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/first-three-stations-of-thomson-east-coast-line-to-begin-service-on-jan-31-free 2025-03-18 0585-3923 ·       2021/08/28 - Thomson East Cost Line (Brown): Springleaf station – Woodland South station ·       2022/11/13 - Thomson East Cost Line (Brown): Mount Pleasant station – Gardens by the Bay station ·       2024/06/23 - Thomson East Cost Line (Brown): Founders' Memoria station – Bayshore station ·       2025/02/28 - Downtown Line (Blue): Hume station openedHume MRT station on Downtown Line to open on Feb 28, ahead of schedule https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/hume-mrt-station-downtown-line-open-feb-28-4893661?cid=telegram_cna_social_28112017_cna 2025-03-18 CNA en Future Network (Expansion projects) ·       2026/2H Thomson East Cost Line (Brown) – Stage 5 from Bedok South – Sungei Bedok ·       2026/2H Downtown Line (Blue) – DTL 3 extension – Xinlin Station to Bukit Bedok Station ·       2027/01 RTS Link Line opening from Woodlands station – Bukit Chagar station ·       2027 Jurong Region Line (Teal) – Stage 1 opening from Choa Chu Kang station – Tawas station ·       2028 (to be announced) - Jurong Region Line (Teal) – Stage 2 opening from Tengah station – Pandan Reservoir station ·       2029 (to be announced) - Jurong Region Line (Teal) – Stage 2 opening from Tengah station – Pandan Reservoir station ·       2030s and beyond – Cross Island Line (CRL) opening, Downtown Line (Blue) extension and TEL extension to Changi airport2024-05-01 Preparatory work to connect Thomson-East Coast Line with Changi Airport to begin in 2025 en The Straits Times https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/preparatory-work-to-connect-thomson-east-coast-line-with-changi-airport-to-begin-in-2025 2025-03-18 0585-3923 Quantitative Assessment – Data Collection and Analysis To provide a quantitative assessment to analyse the lifecycle and growth of the Singapore MRT network. The use of a three-parameter logistic function to map the growth and the lifecycle of the Singapore MRT network using the following formulae: S(t) = Smax/[1+exp(-b(t-ti)] The table 2 shows the travel demand for both the predicted and observed market size for the Singapore MRT system from 1995 which is the year the MRT system is in its initial form of having just 2 lines spanning 67km tracks to its current form in 2023 which already have 6 lines spanning 240km of tracks. Table 2: Taipei MRT Travel demand YearObserved Market size Predicted Market size19952701002875251996311100306664199733251532687919983452903482051999359890370673200038320239431320013909154191492002394565445202200342741547248920044648205010192005482165530797200651392056182120075573555940832008650430627564200965043066224120107551856980792011837675735036201292415077306120139573958120942014100813085206520151047915892897201611327709345052017113953097679520181205230101966820191235160106301620207404181106730202176650011506942022100192511947912023 11836951238902 Using the S-curves to represent the data of the passenger volume, using the life cycle model represent by the equation: f1−f=e−at+b where: ·       f = S(t)/K represent the fractional share of technology ·       S(t) = technology's size in year t and ·       K = final market size) ·       t = time ·       a, b = model parameters The formula of S(t) can identify the final market size(K): S(t)=K1+e−a(t−t0) ·       t0: midpoint year (inflection time) Then, use the 3-parameter logistic function to analyse the data: S(t)=K[1+exp⁡(−b(t−t0))] The results are shown in Table 3 below: Table 3: Excel RegressionParameterValueIntercept-151.7359388b0.07354158RSQ0.858905911 t_i=c/-b2022.118047 Analysis the change of passengers volume thumb|Singapore MRT Observed vs Predicted from 1995 to 2023 Early Stage (1987-1999): Initial Expansion ·       Singapore MRT began operations in November 1987 with the North South Line. ·       The early ridership growth was steady as passengers shifted from buses and private vehicles to the MRT. ·       Expansion of major lines (East West line and Woodland’s extension) led to increased connectivity and market penetration. ·       Government policies promoting transit-oriented development (TOD) development by integrating residential blocks (HBD) with food courts, void decks along with businesses like mini market and supermarkets integrated to MRT and bus stations to densify these areas thus increasing ridership. ·       Passenger volume steadily increased as new lines opened, and system reliability improved. ·       Light Rail Bukit Panjang Line opened in 1999 results in a steady growth of ridership in the North South East West MRT lines Growth Phase (1999-2019): Network Expansion ·       Major new lines have been added such as the North East Line, Circle Line, Downtown Line. ·       Ridership saw consistent year-on-year growth along with the opening of the NEL and Punggol LRT line in the Punggol area ·       EZ Link has been introduced to provide seamless integration between several modes of public transport in Singapore ·       Newer lines being built since then are fully automated and driverless. COVID-19 Impact and Recovery (2020-2023) ·       There is a sharp decline in ridership occurred in 2020 due to COVID-19 lockdowns such as the Circuit Breaker and travel restrictions. ·       The lowest point was observed between 2020 to 2021, when passenger numbers fell by nearly 40%, due to the circuit breaker policy. ·       Recovery began in 2022, people started to coexist with COVID-19. ·       By 2023, ridership had rebounded but remained slightly lower than pre-pandemic levels, as the pandemic changed working patterns and working from home (WFH) became more popular. . Major disruption on the East West Line occurred on 25 September 2024 caused by an equipment falling of from one of the older fleets of trains on the service damaging track equipment near Clementi station and causing a shut down between Boon Lay and Queenstown stations up till 1 October 2024.East-West Line MRT disruption: How a faulty train left a trail of destruction en The Straits Times https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2024/09/ewl-train-breakdown/index.html?shell 2025-03-18 0585-3923 Future Prospects (2024 and Beyond) ·       Continued network expansion with new planned lines and extensions (e.g., extension of the DTL and TEL along with JRL CRL West Coast extension and the RTS link to Johor Bahru), which is expected to attract more passengers and tourist into Singapore Maturity and future prospects As the system matures and the travel demand grows, the Singapore MRT faces new challenges: Expanding the service into underserved suburbs in the form of the proposed Seletar and Tengah Lines that would be ready by the 2040sProposed Seletar MRT line could offer Sengkang, Serangoon residents quicker route to Johor Bahru: Analyst https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/seletar-tengah-new-mrt-line-johor-4981436 2025-03-18 CNA en Harnessing advanced automation and big data into train maintenance and operation to provide better predictive maintenance which enhances service reliability.SMRT and CRRC Sifang Collaborate to Explore Key Upgrades on C151B Train for Enhanced Reliability and SMRT https://www.smrt.com.sg/news-publications/newsroom/media-releases/smrt-and-crrc-sifang-collaborate-to-explore-key-upgrades-on-c151b-train-for-enhanced-reliability-and/ 2025-03-18 www.smrt.com.sg Sustainable transportation: Promoting green infrastructure such as greener station design and energy-efficient trains and stations when on newer MRT lines. Digital service upgrades by providing real-time travel information and journey planning by utilizing the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platformMazars Forvis Mobility as a service in Singapore - Forvis Mazars - Singapore https://www.forvismazars.com/sg/en/industries/transport-logistics/transport-logistics-insights/mobility-as-a-service-in-singapore 2025-03-18 www.forvismazars.com en-GB References