Overview
- Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said commuters should expect more scheduled shutdowns to create longer work blocks for major renewals.
- An initial example runs Nov 29 to Dec 8 on the East-West Line, with no service between Bedok and Tampines and between Tanah Merah and Expo to connect the East Coast Integrated Depot; replacement options will lengthen journeys.
- Current nightly maintenance offers about 3.5 hours from last to first train, leaving roughly two effective working hours, which officials say is insufficient for major upgrades.
- An independent international panel urged longer planned closures plus network-wide condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and greater use of digital, AI and automation tools.
- Authorities highlighted manpower constraints and will channel part of a S$1 billion maintenance fund into workforce development as operators pilot technologies such as robotic inspections and automated depots, with a task force report due by end-2025.