The early closure of Bukit Panjang LRT services begins on Nov 14 as part of a major upgrade to the system.
SINGAPORE – A significant change in the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) service schedule has taken effect on November 14, 2024, and is expected to last until October 31, 2025. From Thursdays to Sundays, train services will now stop an hour earlier than usual, ending at 10:30 pm. This early closure has been implemented to allow for upgrades to the BPLRT’s signalling system and to facilitate testing of newly retrofitted light-rail vehicles. However, many residents in the Bukit Panjang area were unaware of this adjustment, and some are struggling to adapt their schedules accordingly.
Gina Gan, a 55-year-old planner who regularly travels to Johor Bahru, shared her concerns with The Straits Times, expressing that the early closure of BPLRT services will impact her ability to return home comfortably after visiting the Malaysian city. Normally, she would catch the last train from Choa Chu Kang LRT station, but with the services now ending an hour earlier, she will have to reduce her trips to JB to once a month instead of weekly. On the days she does go, she plans to leave earlier to ensure she can catch the last train back to Bangkit, her home station.
During interviews with passengers at five BPLRT stations, it was revealed that many commuters were unaware of the early closure, with some finding themselves turned away at the station after the last train had departed. Sarah Lim, a 23-year-old legal executive, was one such commuter who was caught off guard by the change. She had heard about the early closure but did not realize it began on Nov 14. As a result, she had to take a bus home, which would take her about 40 minutes compared to the usual 20-minute journey by LRT. While she acknowledged the inconvenience, she expressed her understanding of the necessity for the system’s upgrades.
For those affected by the earlier closure, alternative transport options have been made available. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has highlighted that passengers can use bus services that serve the Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang areas, such as buses 67, 171, and 920. Although these services are expected to help alleviate the impact of the early LRT shutdown, the LTA has also assured that it will monitor ridership levels and adjust bus frequencies accordingly to meet demand. Additionally, public holidays during the affected period will see regular LRT services running until 11:30 pm.
While some residents, like software engineer Ganesh Hegde, are less impacted by the change because of their typical working hours, others like student Eric Yoo, 15, find that the new schedule complicates their travel plans. Yoo usually travels late in the evening from malls in Bukit Panjang but will now need to adjust his plans to ensure he can catch the final LRT train. However, he does not mind taking the bus, which will add around 20 minutes to his commute but will still get him home safely.
The BPLRT’s early closure forms part of a larger initiative to improve the system’s reliability. The network, which has been in operation for 25 years, has faced persistent reliability issues, including a recent disruption on October 22, 2024, when train services stalled between Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang during the evening rush hour. This was caused by a malfunctioning train part. To address these issues, the BPLRT is undergoing a multi-year asset renewal program, which includes upgrading the operations control centre and replacing power rails, with the full renewal expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
