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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries wins another Singapore LRT order

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries wins another Singapore LRT order

Built World

Sengkang-Punggol light rail adds eight more two-car trains in a 30 percent capacity expansion

Yesterday: MHI confirms order for eight two-car trains

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Singapore's Land Transport Authority ordered eight more two-car trains for the Sengkang-Punggol light rail network, pushing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' total order to 33 trainsets. The order is part of a multi-year program to expand the 23-year-old system's capacity by 30 percent.

The Sengkang and Punggol districts are among Singapore's fastest-growing residential areas, with new malls, universities, and businesses drawing more riders. The expansion replaces the system's aging first-generation fleet and adds capacity to meet demand.

Why it matters

Singapore's Sengkang-Punggol LRT gets a 30 percent capacity boost as the northeast districts grow, with Mitsubishi supplying 33 new trainsets by 2030.

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Key Indicators

33
Third-generation trainsets on order
Total after this latest order of 8 two-car trains.
41
Total fleet by 2030
33 third-generation plus 8 second-generation trains.
30%
Capacity increase
Average capacity increase across the SPLRT when all carriages are in.
200
Passengers per two-car train
Each new two-car train carries about 200 passengers.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

2003 October 2026

9 events Latest: Yesterday
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. MHI confirms order for eight two-car trains

    Latest Contract

    Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announces order for 8 two-car trains, bringing total to 33 trainsets.

  2. Sengkang West Inner Loop resumes service

    Infrastructure

    Loop resumes service two weeks early after depot expansion works completed ahead of schedule.

  3. LTA announces eight more LRVs

    Announcement

    LTA announces procurement of eight more third-generation two-car light rail vehicles.

  4. Sengkang West Inner Loop closes for upgrades

    Infrastructure

    Loop closes to expand the SPLRT depot to three times its size.

  5. Free off-peak rides scheme launches

    Policy

    Free morning off-peak train rides introduced in northeast Singapore to moderate rush-hour demand.

  6. First third-generation trains enter service

    Operations

    First two of 25 new third-generation two-car trains begin commercial operation.

  7. Order for eight additional trains

    Contract

    MHI receives follow-up order for 8 two-car trains as part of the capacity enhancement project.

  8. Capacity enhancement project awarded

    Contract

    LTA awards MHI a project to enhance SPLRT capacity, including new trains and depot expansion.

  9. Sengkang-Punggol LRT opens

    Infrastructure

    Line opens connecting two MRT stations to residential areas; MHI supplies trains and all systems.

Scenarios

1

Sengkang-Punggol LRT fleet reaches 41 trains by 2030

Likely Resolves by End of 2030

Discussed by: LTA and MHI official announcements

The current program calls for 33 third-generation trainsets plus 8 second-generation trains, totaling 41 by 2030. If deliveries stay on schedule and the depot expansion completes, the fleet reaches full capacity with a 30 percent average capacity increase.

2

LTA orders additional trains beyond the current 33

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: LTA statements on growing ridership in Sengkang and Punggol

Ridership keeps rising as residential and commercial development continues in the northeast districts. If demand outpaces the planned 30 percent capacity increase, LTA may place further orders with MHI or another supplier.

3

Depot expansion completes on schedule by 2027

Likely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: LTA media releases on the expansion timeline

The depot expansion, which will triple the facility's size, is on track for completion by 2027. The Sengkang West Inner Loop already resumed service two weeks early, suggesting the work is progressing well.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2003

Sengkang-Punggol LRT opening (2003)

The Sengkang-Punggol LRT opened in 2003, connecting two MRT stations on the North East Line to surrounding residential areas. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries supplied the trains and all systems for the line's inauguration.

Then

The system provided first-mile, last-mile connectivity for residents in Sengkang and Punggol.

Now

MHI has maintained and upgraded the system for over two decades, receiving successive orders for additional trainsets and system improvements.

Why this matters now

This latest order continues a 23-year partnership, with MHI's reliability record cited as a reason for the contract award.

2025-2028

First-generation fleet replacement (2025-2028)

The SPLRT's first-generation fleet of 25 one-car and 8 two-car trains is being replaced by 25 third-generation two-car trains. The first two entered service in July 2025.

Then

The new trains offer higher capacity, with each two-car train carrying about 200 passengers.

Now

The replacement, plus 8 additional third-gen trains and 8 retained second-gen trains, brings the fleet to 41 by 2030.

Why this matters now

The fleet modernization is the core of the capacity expansion program that this latest order supports.

Sources

(7)