Thales awarded Singapore signalling contracts

Thales has won a US$156 million contract from Singapore’s largest rail operator, SMRT Corporation, to supply its SelTrac communications-based train control (CBTC) re-signalling solution for the North-South and East-West lines. The two lines combined are more than 100 km long and serve 54 stations. The Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA) has also awarded a US$31.7 million contract for the signalling of the Tuas West Extension comprising four stations for the future East-West line extension. The entire new signalling system is expected to be operational by 2018.

The re-signalling contract is part of SMRT and LTA’s plan to improve the public transport system, as growing population and new developments along rail axes have led to the increase of passengers traffic in the Singapore metro network. The addition of new trains and the enhancement of the signalling system will ease the congestion along the two lines especially during peak periods. SelTrac CBTC, incorporating moving-block technology, ensures safe train operation with minimal train separation thereby maximising passenger service frequency and system capacity.