Bukit Panjang Light Rapid Transit is a 7.8 km light rail line opened in 1999. It is fully automated. The rolling stock is supplied by Bombardier, and is similiar to the ones used in the Singapore Changi Airport's peoplemover service. It is currently operated by SMRT Light Rail, a subsidiary of SMRT Corporation.

Issues

The operation of the Bukit Panjang LRT was not without teething problems. Software glitches during initial running means that there were constant delays in service, sometimes severe. There were two serious accidents since its opening :

• In 2000, two LRT trains crashed head-to-back at Phoenix Station causing minor injuries. The operator was fined S$10,000.
• In 2002, a dislodged train wheel caused the entire shutdown of the system for a few days, as it crippled the power system and the rail at the incident was damaged and had to be repaired.

The poor operation was also partly the reasons why the operation of Sengkang LRT Line and Punggol LRT Line were awarded to rival company SBS Transit and rival manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Most of the problems have been addressed and ironed out since.

The Bukit Panjang LRT has been operating at a loss for the past five years. Like the North East MRT Line, critics say that the system is a white elephant.

It was also reported that residents were unhappy with the withdrawal of feeder bus services operating in the area since the opening of the Bukit Panjang LRT, and were further aggravated by the unreliability of the service. After lobbying to Members of the Parliament, some services were partially restored.

Stations

• BP1 Choa Chu Kang (Transfer to North South MRT Line is avaliable)
• BP2 Southview
• BP3 Keat Hong
• BP4 Teck Whye
• BP5 Phoenix
• BP6 Bukit Panjang
• BP7 Petir
• BP8 Pending
• BP9 Bangkit
• BP10 Fajar
• BP11 Segar
• BP12 Jelapang
• BP13 Senja
• BP14 Ten Mile Junction (shuttle station)

External links

• SMRT Light Rail Homepage