Making Tracks in Singapore
July 15, 2004
ALSTOM is building the longest automated Metro in the world, in Singapore. The network comprises 31 stations and 32km of track.
ALSTOM is building the longest automated Metro in the world, in Singapore. The network comprises 31 stations and 32km of track.
The summer of 2003 saw the start of commercial service for the North East Line (NEL) of Singapore's fully-automatic Metro - with all-new trains and control systems designed and delivered by ALSTOM's Transport Sector.
Day one saw 220,000 passenger trips - and plenty of impressed commuters, according to Singapore's Straits Times. ' Crowds formed at Sengkang and other stations,' reported the paper. ' Commuters applauded when the shutters were lifted ... they described their ride as comfortable and fast.' The new line even received a government seal of approval when Singapore Transport Ministry chiefs gave it ' 8 out of 10' in its first week of operation.
The Transport Sector started work on the NEL back in 1997; the main focus now switches to the Circle Line (CCL) which is due to open in stages from 2006 to 2010.
Most experts agree that automatic networks are the way forward for urban transport: they satisfy commuter demands for an efficient, reliable service and they keep operating costs to a minimum. There are currently 26 Driverless systems running in Asia, Europe and North America.
They can also respond far quicker to passenger flows; an automatic train can come into service instantly - there's no need to find someone to drive it. All this makes winning these contracts to drive Singapore's public transport future extremely important to ALSTOM.
Succeeding at the Highest level
' It means we're succeeding at the highest level in what should be an increasingly valuable market in the future. The eventual intention is that no
Singapore inhabitant shall live further than 500 metres from access to a clean, safe, fast and environmentally friendly public transport system,' says Philippe.
For the NEL, the Transport Sector has designed, built and tested 25 six-car Metropolis trains and the Urbalis 300 signalling and automatic train control system. The Urbalis controls the trains, monitors safety and makes the most effective use of the network's resources.
The CCL is a full turnkey project worth € 774 million (70% going to ALSTOM).
'We are fully responsible from design to commissioning of everything on the CCL,' says Philippe. ' Track installation, rolling stock, the control centre and all linked subsystems. We're working in partnership with
Singapore Technologies Electronics (STE),' he adds, ' but we're in overall control of the consortium.'
Every aspect of the contract is supervised by ALSTOM. Everything that happens - no matter how insignificant - is recorded and filed electronically on a single database. This is available worldwide to everyone involved in the project.
' I agree that it is an enormous challenge,' says Philippe. ' I managed a driverless turnkey system in Taiwan for three years, but this is something else - far bigger in scope and ambition.'
Multicultural rewards
This is the start of a ten-year project for the Transport Sector. It would be a big enough challenge anywhere in the world, but working in Singapore means a unique background. One word: multiculturalism.
' We work with a large number of nationalities here,' says Philippe. 'Australian, English, Filipino, French, Malay and Singaporean. Singaporeans can be Chinese, Indian or Malay.
'All of us have had to make efforts to adapt to the wide range of cultures. But bringing all the team spirits together and working in the same direction is an immensely rewarding experience for everyone.'
Working with the LTA has been very rewarding as well.
'A demanding client like the LTA is a good thing,' says
Philippe. ' The Singaporean government is highly skilled at planning, and they know exactly what they want. The LTA reflects this approach and we always know exactly what they expect from us. Singapore is built on decades of this kind of forward thinking.'
So how is Philippe finding Singapore itself? It must be a big difference from his last project - a VAL line in Rennes, France.
'The climate here is much more predictable,' he laughs. ' The seasons don't change much - it's sunny every day and I'm certainly not complaining about that. My colleagues would agree that the people are very friendly here.
Indeed, it's one of the easiest places I've known to settle into.
' I'm enjoying Singapore and feel strongly that our Singapore contracts will make ALSTOM an even bigger player in the worldwide Metro marketplace.
' This is a key project for ALSTOM. Driverless networks are the future for public transport systems in an era where commuters want an increasingly high-quality, attractive and reliable service if they are to consider public transport as a real alternative to the private car. This is an opportunity for us to make a real impact.'
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