Singapore, South Korea: Six three-car J151 trainsets have arrived at Tengah Depot, where they are undergoing commissioning and static testing. Dynamic testing of the rolling stock, meanwhile, has been under way since 2023 at the Korea Railroad Research Institute’s (KRRI) test track in Osong, South Korea.
The South Korean manufacturer’s trains are destined for Singapore’s future 30 km elevated Jurong Region Line (JRL) light metro, whose first stage is due to open in 2028. Because of the line’s tight curves and other factors, the trains have been built to reduced dimensions, 2.75 m wide and 18.6 m long, compared with around 3.2 m and 23 m for the rest of the Singapore metro fleet, and are said to be able to negotiate small-radius curves.
Preparation of driverless metro trains from Hyundai Rotem for the launch in Singapore. Source: LTA
Each train is formed of two motored driving cars either side of an intermediate trailer, with provision to lengthen the formation to four cars. Top speed is rated at 70km/h, capacity reaches 450 passengers, and a battery provides emergency autonomous running if needed.
Inside the new Hyundai Rotem metro train for Singapore. Source: S Iswaran
The trains run under Siemens Mobility’s Trainguard Sirius radio-based CBTC system at the highest driverless automation level, GoA4. All trains will carry sensors to monitor their own condition, and some will also be fitted with a track diagnostics system.
New driverless metro train from Hyundai Rotem for Singapore. Source: cb11.2_train_bus_photo
LTA ordered the 62 three-car trains from Hyundai Rotem in 2020 for SGD 416.5 mln (over $300 mln), the South Korean builder’s first contract in the Singapore market. The existing MRT fleet was built by France’s Alstom, Canada’s Bombardier Transportation and Japan’s Kawasaki. CRRC of China has also been contracted to build trains for two further lines, the Cross Island Line (CRL) and the RTS Link.
