SMRT's upgraded Bishan Depot uses automation to boost train overhaul capacity

SMRT has completed its two-year, $7 million project to upgrade Bishan Depot, doubling the facility's monthly train overhaul capacity from two to four.

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan Correspondent

The upgrade streamlines work processes and introduces advanced equipment at the 39-year-old depot, which services the North-South Line operated by SMRT.

New autonomous vehicles and robots have cut manpower needs at Singapore's oldest train depot by 30 per cent, SMRT said on Nov 21.

The project, dubbed Depot 4.0, is intended to guide the design of future depots and upgrades to existing ones, the train operator said when it announced the plans in July.

The expansion of Singapore's rail network and addition of more trains mean that larger maintenance facilities and more manpower are required, but this comes amid a shrinking and ageing workforce, SMRT said.

With the upgrade complete, all train overhaul works will now be carried out at Bishan Depot, which is about the size of 55 football fields. This allows Tuas West Depot, the other train depot where overhauls were done, to focus on other types of maintenance work.

Typically, trains are overhauled for every 500,000 km and 1 million km travelled, with different parts of the train restored at each mileage milestone.

The upgraded depot was launched by SMRT chairman Seah Moon Ming. Also in attendance were Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow, the guest of honour, and former transport minister Khaw Boon Wan.

Depot 4.0 is a joint initiative with Chinese train manufacturer CRRC Qingdao Sifang, which has produced trains for the North-South and East-West lines, as well as the Thomson-East Coast Line in a joint venture with Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It will also supply trains for the upcoming Cross Island Line.

The upgraded depot uses automation to clear longstanding bottlenecks in the overhaul process.