SINGAPORE - Work to replace sleepers on the North-South Line has hit the half-way mark. Commuters can expect travel speeds to improve by this October or November, said rail operator SMRT on Wednesday on its Facebook page.
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Here is the statement by SMRT, as posted on its Facebook page on Aug 20 at 2.08pm:
Hi everyone,
We would like to address feedback from a number of you asking about speed restrictions for SMRT trains on the North South Line.
The replacement of timber sleepers is progressing well along the northern portions of the North South Line, particularly the stretches between Bishan and Woodlands. Sleepers are the beams that support the rails, providing a firm and stable support for the rail line. When new sleepers are fitted, the sleepers will need a period of time to settle on the ballast (i.e. stones) on which the tracks are laid.
For safety reasons, trains must observe a slower speed when traveling over newly-laid sleepers until the sleepers and ballast are properly settled. This explains why we have to impose speed restrictions at certain stretches of the tracks for trains travelling between Bishan and Woodlands. At these stretches, trains slow to around 40 kilometres per hour (km/h), compared to the normal speed of around 78 km/h.
Time needed for new sleepers to settle is vital and necessary. We have heard your feedback on the noticeably slower speeds along renewed stretches of track, and will do our utmost to inform and update you on why our train operations are run this way.
As resleepering work along the North South Line progresses, we are gradually lifting the associated speed restrictions, and the effect in terms of shorter journey time should be felt from October or November 2014 onwards. With the completion of resleepering work on the North South Line by early 2015, we are confident of completely removing all resleepering-related speed restrictions by the middle of next year.
Do note that when resleepering works start on the East West Line next year, commuters taking trains on certain stretches of the East West Line that have had their tracks renewed will experience similar speed restrictions.
We are committed to improving the travel experience for our commuters. In the meantime, we seek your understanding and patience. Our resleepering efforts are making good progress. Almost 50% of the sleepers on the North South Line have already been replaced, and we working with the community to minimise inconvenience while works are underway in the early morning hours.
In some of the more matured networks in cities such as London and Paris, segments of the metro lines are closed for days or weeks for track renewal works. We know this is not possible in the context of Singapore's urban rail network. As such, we strive to work within the tight engineering window of 4 hours between 1.30am to 5.30am, and we seek your understanding for the early closure of half an hour 5 days a week for selected stretches of the track. It is heartening to know that Singaporeans have been understanding and appreciative of the efforts that we are making to deliver the quality of service we have promised.
We would like to add that, resleepering works aside, there are other reasons for trains to slow down. Commuters should note that trains may slow down and even come to a stop when there is a train ahead that has yet to depart from the station platform. Several reasons could account for this delay. In most cases, the delay is due to commuters crowding the doorway and, as a result, the doors cannot close. And when doors cannot close, as part of the safety design of the train, the train cannot depart the station.
We hope that our explanation has helped update everyone on our resleepering efforts and Team SMRT's continued commitment to your safety. We will continue to engage you on the transformation efforts in SMRT.
Sincerely,
Lee Ling Wee
Managing Director, SMRT Trains