North–South MRT line
North South line | |||
---|---|---|---|
Overview | |||
Native name | Laluan MRT Utara Selatan 南北地铁线 வடக்கு தெற்கு எம்ஆர்டி வழி | ||
Status | Operational Under construction (Canberra) | ||
Owner | Land Transport Authority | ||
Termini | |||
Stations | 26 (Operational) (excluding reserved station NS6) 1 (Under construction) | ||
Service | |||
Type | Rapid transit | ||
System | Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) | ||
Services | 1 | ||
Operator(s) | SMRT Trains (SMRT Corporation) | ||
Depot(s) | Bishan Ulu Pandan | ||
Rolling stock | C151 C651 C751B C151A C151B C151C CR151 (Future) | ||
History | |||
Opened | 7 November 1987 | ||
Technical | |||
Line length | 45 km (28 mi) | ||
Character | Elevated (Jurong East – Ang Mo Kio) Subsurface (Bishan) Underground (Braddell - Marina South Pier) | ||
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
Electrification | 750 V DC Third rail | ||
Operating speed | limit of 80 km/h (50 mph) | ||
|
The North South line (NSL) is a high-capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore, operated by SMRT. It runs from Jurong East, located in western Singapore, to Marina South Pier in the Central Area. The line is 45 kilometres (28 mi) long and serves 26 stations,[1][2] 11 of which are underground. It was the first MRT line to be built in Singapore and it began service on 7 November 1987.[3] The line is coloured red on the rail map.
Overview
As the name implies, the line connects central Singapore to northern and southern parts of the island. It runs mostly on overhead viaducts but goes underground within the Central Area, between Bishan and Marina South Pier. Travelling from one end of the line to the other takes about an hour.[citation needed]
History
First phase of development
The North South line was the first MRT line in Singapore, with the first section from Yio Chu Kang to Toa Payoh opening on 7 November 1987. Nine more stations from Novena to Outram Park followed on 12 December 1987.[4] The line was extended northward to Yishun on 20 December 1988 and it began independent operations on 4 November 1989, when the extension to Marina Bay was opened.[citation needed]
Second phase of development (Woodlands extension)
After the branch line opened in 1990, the Woodlands MRT line was envisioned to close the gap between Yishun and Choa Chu Kang.[5] During the initial planning of the line, Sembawang station was only intended as a provisional station, to be built at a later date due to the underdevelopment of Sembawang. Kranji station was not planned. But on the second round of planning, the government decided to build these stations and omit Sungei Kadut station from the plan. Sungei Kadut station will be built later if the town's population justifies the necessity for the station. With the official opening of the Woodlands Extension on 10 February 1996, the branch line became part of the North South line.[5]
Jurong East modification project
The Jurong East modification project entailed the construction of a new platform and the addition of a fourth track to Jurong East station to reduce waiting times and crowding at the station during peak hours.[6] The modification project was completed on 27 May 2011.[7] The track and platform was initially opened during morning peak hours only, but since December 2011, they also operate during the evening peak hours.[8]
North South line extension
A 1-kilometre (0.6 mi), one station extension from Marina Bay to Marina South Pier station was opened on 23 November 2014.[9] This extension serves the Marina South Pier, the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore and future developments in Marina Bay Downtown area.[9]
Canberra station
On 17 January 2013, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that a feasibility studies was being conducted to create a station between Sembawang and Yishun stations.[10] The feasibility studies was completed in 2014 and Canberra station will be built.[11] Shortly later on 1 August 2014, LTA announced that construction will commence in mid-2015 and is expected to be completed in 2019.[12] Construction works for Canberra station commenced on 26 March 2016.[13] This station, which is an Infill station and will have side platforms, will be built along an operational section of the line between Sembawang and Yishun stations. The construction costs S$90 million[14] and is expected to be completed by 2019 to serve upcoming developments near the station. On the 18 to 19 May, train services will be suspended between Woodlands and Yishun for upgrading works and on 20 May, train services will be suspended towards Ang Mo Kio.[15] The station will be opened on 2 November 2019.[16]
Installation of half-height platform screen doors
The government announced plans to install half-height platform screen doors on the elevated stations in January 2008.[17] The first platform screen doors were installed at Jurong East and Yishun stations in 2009 as trial runs.[18] Subsequently, installation began in May 2011 at Ang Mo Kio MRT station. On 14 March 2012, platform screen doors became operational on all surface stations on the North South line.[19]
Timeline of stations opened
- 7 November 1987: Yio Chu Kang – Toa Payoh
- 12 December 1987: Toa Payoh – Raffles Place
- 20 December 1988: Yio Chu Kang – Yishun
- 4 November 1989: Raffles Place – Marina Bay
- 10 March 1990: Jurong East – Choa Chu Kang
- 10 February 1996: Yishun – Choa Chu Kang
- 23 November 2014: Marina Bay – Marina South Pier
- 2 November 2019: Canberra
Improvement works
Timber to concrete sleeper replacement works
Timber sleepers were replaced when they neared the end of their lifespan of 15 to 25 years. The new replacement sleepers, made out of concrete, have a significantly longer lifespan.[20] Train services on the line were ended earlier to allow more time for the sleeper replacement works. All timber sleepers were replaced by April 2015. After the completion of the replacement works, train services resumed their normal operating hours.[21]
Resignalling works
A new moving-block signalling system, supplied by Thales, replaced the ageing fixed-block signalling system on the North South line. The upgrading works were completed in phases from 2016. With the upgraded signalling system, trains are now able to run closer to each other.[22] MRT trains were also progressively retrofitted with new equipment on board to be compatible with the new signalling system.
The new system was tested on the evening of 28 March 2017, when train services were paused to facilitate the testing. From 16 April 2017, the new system commenced full-day testing on Sundays for two months. The new C151B rolling stock were first introduced to the line on these testing days.[23] Since 28 May 2017, the new signalling system has been operating full-day on the North South line.[24]
Third-rail replacement
Replacement works on the third rail, which provides electricity to the trains, were completed in August 2017.[25] The new third rail replaced its 30-year-old predecessor, which was used since the opening of the line. The new electrical system is expected to make train services more reliable.[26]
Incidents
Fence crash
On 3 March 2003, a 23-year-old driver driving his brother's Mercedes E200 lost control of the car along Lentor Avenue, crashing through the fence and landing onto a stretch of track between Yio Chu Kang and Khatib stations. The incident forced a train carrying hundreds of commuters to come to a screeching halt, but not before flattening the front of the car. The accident disrupted train services for more than three hours and cost SMRT between $100,000 and $150,000 in damage and lost revenue.
Damaged rail
These two service disruptions on the North South line were both related to damaged rail, and became one of the worst disruption since SMRT's inception in 1987.[27]
On 15 December 2011, services between Bishan and Marina Bay stations were suspended due to damage sustained on 40-metre power rail between City Hall and Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations. Trains along the stretch were stalled and caused a service disruption until 11.40pm on that day.[28][29]
Two days later, a similar fault caused a seven-hour disruption between Ang Mo Kio and Marina Bay stations.[30][31] According to SMRT, the disruption was caused by damage to the third rail and the trains' collector shoes. Seven trains were damaged in this incident.[32]
Power trip
On 7 July 2015, the North South line along with the East West line were temporarily disrupted due to massive power trips detected along the line. A cause of the disruption was due to damaged insulators which caused a failure to properly supply power.[33]
New signalling system
During the first few months of testing of the new signalling system, there had been numerous occasions of major service disruptions, lasting up to three hours.[34][35] In wake of the re-signalling system tests, SMRT has advised commuters to plan for longer traveling time on the line.[36]
Bishan tunnel flooding
On 7 October 2017, a 20-hour long disruption of services started with a flooding in the tunnels between Braddell and Bishan due to faulty drainage system (causing rainwater to flood the tunnels rapidly, and that the disruption started during a torrential downpour), resulting in disruption of train services between Ang Mo Kio and Marina South Pier stations were suspended in both directions for several hours. A trackside fire between Raffles Place and Marina Bay stations further exacerbated the disruption; Train services between Marina South Pier and Newton resumed at about 9.20pm on the same day, followed by Newton and Ang Mo Kio at around 2pm the following day.[37] Although no injuries or causalities were reported, SMRT fired a total of eight employees from the maintenance crew, and incurred a S$2 million fine, following the incident[38].
Stations
Template:MRT route/North South
Station Number | Station Name | Image | Interchange/Notes |
NS1 EW24 JE5 | Jurong East | Cross-Platform Interchange with the East West line Interchange with the Jurong Region line (2027) | |
NS2 | Bukit Batok | ||
NS3 | Bukit Gombak | ||
NS4 JS1 BP1 | Choa Chu Kang | Interchange with the Bukit Panjang LRT and the Jurong Region line (2026) | |
NS5 | Yew Tee | ||
NS6 | reserved station; under planning | ||
NS7 | Kranji | ||
NS8 | Marsiling | ||
NS9 TE2 | Woodlands | Interchange with the Thomson-East Coast line (2019) | |
NS10 | Admiralty | ||
NS11 | Sembawang | ||
NS12 | Canberra | Station added on operational line (under construction, to be opened 2 November 2019[39]) | |
NS13 | Yishun | ||
NS14 | Khatib | ||
NS15 | Yio Chu Kang | ||
NS16 CR11 | Ang Mo Kio | Interchange with the Cross Island line (2029) | |
NS17 CC15 | Bishan | Interchange with the Circle line | |
NS18 | Braddell | ||
NS19 | Toa Payoh | ||
NS20 | Novena | ||
NS21 DT11 | Newton | Interchange with the Downtown line | |
NS22 TE14 | Orchard | Interchange with the Thomson-East Coast line (2021) | |
NS23 | Somerset | ||
NS24 NE6 CC1 | Dhoby Ghaut | Interchange with the North East line and the Circle line | |
NS25 EW13 | City Hall | Cross-Platform Interchange with the East West line | |
NS26 EW14 | Raffles Place | Cross-Platform Interchange with the East West line | |
NS27 CE2 TE20 | Marina Bay | Interchange with the Circle line extension and the Thomson-East Coast line (2021) | |
NS28 | Marina South Pier |
Rolling stock
The North South line consists of the following rolling stocks: C151, C651, C751B, C151A, C151B, C151C. They are housed in Bishan Depot, which provides train maintenance, inspection and overhaul facilities,[40] and in Ulu Pandan Depot.[41][42]
Train control
The North South line is currently equipped with Thales SelTrac Communications-based train control (CBTC) moving block signalling system[43] with Automatic train control (ATC) under Automatic train operation (ATO) GoA 3 (DTO).[44] The subsystems consist of Automatic train protection (ATP) to govern train speed, NetTrac MT Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) to track and schedule trains and a Computer-based interlocking (CBI) system that prevents incorrect signal and track points to be set.[45]
The old signalling system ceased operations on 2 January 2019.[42] It consists of Westinghouse fixed block signalling system with Automatic train control (ATC) under Automatic train operation (ATO) GoA 2 (STO). The subsystems consist of Automatic train protection (ATP) to govern train speed, Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) to track and schedule trains and a Relay interlocking system that prevents incorrect signal and track points to be set.
All underground stations are installed with full-height platform screen doors supplied by Westinghouse since their opening. Half-height platform screen gates by ST Electronics were installed on all elevated stations by March 2012.[19]
References
- ^ "North–South Line". Land Transport Authority. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
- ^ "North–South Line Extension". LTA. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "MRT Systems begin operations". Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ Rav, Dhaliwal (12 December 1987). "Shopping for Xmas the MRT way..." Straits Times. Retrieved 19 September 2017 – via eResources.
- ^ a b Singapore, National Library Board,. "Woodlands MRT line | Infopedia". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Jurong East Modification Project". Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "New Platform At Jurong East Station To Open On 27 May". Land Transport Authority of Singapore. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
- ^ "New Platform At Jurong East Station To Open On 27 May | Press Room | Land Transport Authority". www.lta.gov.sg. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ a b "North–South Line Extension | Projects | Public Transport | Land Transport Authority". www.lta.gov.sg. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ "Two New Rail Lines And Three New Extensions To Expand Rail Network By 2030". Land Transport Authority. 17 January 2013. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "New MRT station for North–South Line: Canberra". The Straits Times. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ "New Addition to North–South Line: Canberra Station". Land Transport Authority. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ^ "Work Starts for Canberra MRT Station on North–South Line". LTA. 26 March 2016. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Work starts on Canberra MRT station". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ "Canberra Station | Projects | Public Transport | Land Transport Authority". www.lta.gov.sg. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ "Canberra MRT station to open on Nov 2". CNA. 20 May 2019.
- ^ "Platform screen doors for all above-ground MRT stations by 2012". The Straits Times. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 28 January 2008.
- ^ Yeo Ghim Lay (3 September 2008). "Platform doors for elevated MRT stations". The Straits Times. p. 26.
- ^ a b "LTA completes installing elevated MRT station screen doors early". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ "SMRT Rail Improvements – Updates – SMRT Blog". blog.smrt.com.sg. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ "Project to replace MRT sleepers done".
- ^ LTA Website. "North–South Line Signal Upgrade". Land Transport Authority.
- ^ "Full-day Sunday Trials of New Signalling System on NSL".
- ^ "7 Questions about SMRT Trains' New Signalling System – SMRT Blog". blog.smrt.com.sg. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
- ^ "Factsheet on Power Rail Replacement Programme for the North–South and East–West Lines (NSEWL)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Third Rail Replacement on North South and East West Line".
- ^ "Minister Updates Parliament on MRT Disruptions". Ministry Of Transport. 9 January 2012. Archived from the original on 2 July 2012.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "North–South MRT line breakdown hits thousands". Channel News Asia. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ "2nd Update – SMRT statement: Service disruption on North–South Line (Northbound): Marina Bay Station to Bishan Station" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 April 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "MRT breaks down again". Channel NewsAsia. 17 December 2011.
- ^ "North–South Line service resumes after 7-hour disruption". Channel NewsAsia. 17 December 2011.
- ^ "Service disruption on North–South Line on 17 Dec 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 April 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ LTA. "Power trip on MRT network due to power fault on NSEWL". Archived from the original on 27 April 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Commuters feeling frustrated after recent train delays".
- ^ "Downtown Line, North–South Line hit by delays on Friday morning".
- ^ Leow, Annabeth (27 May 2017). "Plan for longer travelling time on North–South Line: SMRT". The Straits Times. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ "NSL disruption: No train services between Ang Mo Kio, Newton 'till further notice', says SMRT". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
- ^ "NSL disruption: Malfunctioning water pumping system resulted in flooded MRT tunnel, says LTA". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
- ^ "Canberra station on North-South line to open on Nov 2". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "10 shortlisted for Bishan Depot deal". The Straits Times. 10 June 1984. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
- ^ "Building the MRT's third depot". The Straits Times. 17 October 1986. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
- ^ a b "North–South Line signalling system to take up to 6 months to stabilise". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
- ^ "Thales awarded signalling contracts for Singapore North–South, East–West lines and Tuas West Extension | Thales Group". www.thalesgroup.com. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- ^ http://www.uitp.org/sites/default/files/Metro%20automation%20-%20facts%20and%20figures.pdf
- ^ "Thales awarded signalling contracts for Singapore North–South, East–West lines and Tuas West Extension" (Press release). Thales Group. 6 February 2012. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015.
{{cite press release}}
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