View source for Rail transport in Singapore

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{{Infobox rail network 
|name            = [[Singapore]]
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{{Photomontage|position=center
|photo1a=Crystal Mover 19 Changi Airport Skytrain 2023 (01).jpg{{!}}A Changi Airport Skytrain set
|photo1b=Sentosa Express Hitachi Small-type Monorail - The State of Fun livery.jpg{{!}}A Sentosa Express monorail train
|photo2a=Buses and Trains in Singapore.jpg{{!}}A C151 and C651 train operating on the East West Line
|photo3a=KTM Class 25 Train at Woodlands Train Checkpoint - February 2023.jpg{{!}}A KTM Class 25 train at Woodlands Train Checkpoint
|photo3b=Bukit Panjang LRT Cars.jpg{{!}}A Bukit Panjang LRT train
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|caption         = From top, left to right: A [[Changi Airport]] [[Crystal Mover|Light Rail Crystal Mover]] set, A [[Sentosa Express]] train in the 'State of Fun livery', a train on the [[North–South MRT line]] approaching [[Bukit Batok MRT Station]], a [[KTM Intercity]] train loading passengers at [[Woodlands Train Checkpoint]], and a [[Bukit Panjang LRT]] train passing through the estate.
|nationalrailway = 
|infrastructure  = '''[[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|MRT]] and [[Light Rail Transit (Singapore)|LRT]]''': [[Land Transport Authority]]
|majoroperators  = '''[[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|MRT]] and [[Light Rail Transit (Singapore)|LRT]]''': [[SMRT Trains]], [[SBS Transit]] <br />'''International railway''': [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu]], [[Belmond Limited]] <br /> '''Other''': Changi Airport Group
|ridership = '''[[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|MRT]] and [[Light Rail Transit (Singapore)|LRT]]''': 3.5 million per day (2018) <ref name="MRT&LRT ridership">{{cite web|title=Bus, train trips hit record high last year|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/bus-train-trips-hit-record-high-last-year|date=2019-10-13|website=The Straits Times|access-date=2019-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406131954/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/bus-train-trips-hit-record-high-last-year|archive-date=6 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><br>
'''[[KTM Intercity]]''': An average of 8,635 per day (2023) <ref name="KTM ridership">{{cite web|title= Malaysia keen to negotiate continuation of Johor Bahru-Singapore shuttle train service|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-johor-bahru-singapore-woodlands-shuttle-tebrau-operations-rts-link-3874446}}</ref><ref>https://data.gov.my/dashboard/ktmb-explorer/tebrau/JB%20Sentral/Woodlands%20CIQ</ref>
|passkm          = 
|freight         =  
|length          = '''[[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|MRT]] and [[Light Rail Transit (Singapore)|LRT]]''': {{convert|257.8|km|mi}}<br />'''[[Changi Airport Skytrain]]''': {{convert|6.4|km|mi}} <br />'''[[Sentosa Express]]''': {{convert|2.1|km|mi}}
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|ellength        = {{convert|266.3|km|mi|abbr=on}} (2022)
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|gauge           = '''KTM''': {{RailGauge|1000mm}}, <br />'''MRT''': {{RailGauge|1435mm}}
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'''Rail transport in Singapore''' mainly consists of a passenger [[urban rail transit]] system spanning the entire [[city-state]]: a [[rapid transit]] system collectively known as the [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Mass Rapid Transit]] (MRT) system operated by the two biggest public transport operators [[SMRT Trains]] ([[SMRT Corporation]]) and [[SBS Transit]], as well as several [[Light Rail Transit (Singapore)|Light Rail Transit]] (LRT) rubber-tyred [[automated guideway transit]] lines also operated by both companies. In addition, local specialised light rail lines are in operation in places such as the [[Singapore Changi Airport]] and [[Sentosa]].

A short remaining section of the railway originally built during the British colonial period is connected to the [[Malaysia]]n rail network, and is operated by Malaysian railway company [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu]] (KTM). The Singapore section of the railway now serves only [[inter-city rail|inter-city]] passenger services; until 2011 the railway also carried freight between Malaysia and the [[Port of Singapore]] at [[Tanjong Pagar]]. 

Two international rail links to Malaysia have been proposed to replace the KTM railway. The [[Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System]] is currently under construction and is scheduled to begin operations in 2026. The [[Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High Speed Rail]] was planned but shelved in January 2021.

Although Singapore is not a member of the [[International Union of Railways]] (UIC) given the nature of Singapore as a city-state and its lack of a national railway proper, [[SMRT Corporation]], [[SBS Transit]] and the [[Land Transport Authority]] are members of the [[International Association of Public Transport]] (UITP).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uitp.org/all-members?title=&field_member_category_tid=All&field_new_location_tid=3043|title=Our Members: Singapore|website=UTIP}}</ref> SMRT Corporation is also a member of the [[Community of Metros]] (CoMET) benchmarking group. In addition, [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu]], the Malaysian train operator that operate Shuttle Tebrau services in Singapore is a member of UIC.

==History==
===Early railways in the 19th century===
{{See also|Trams in Singapore}}
[[File:Singapore steam tram.jpg|thumb|left|A steam tram as used in 1880s Singapore]]
The first railway in Singapore was a steam railway dating back to 1877 that was used by the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company to "aid the labour of unloading vessels"; this railway ran along the mile-long wharf was served using [[0-4-0]]ST shunters supplied by Dick & Stevenson.<ref name=history>{{cite web|title=Singapore Railways History |url=http://searail.malayanrailways.com/Singapore/SRhistory.htm|access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref>

The foundations for the first [[tram]]way in Singapore were first laid in 1882 with the formation of the London-based Singapore Tramway Company following an approval under the 1882 Tramways Ordinance to construct five steam tramway lines across Singapore Town. On 8 December 1883, the Singapore Tramway Company launched a prospectus to construct and build tramways for the transport of passengers and goods in Singapore. The first rails were laid on 7 April 1885, and the first regular service from Tanjong Pagar to Johnston's Pier began on 3 May 1886.<ref name=nlb>{{cite web|title=Infopedia: Trams|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1085_2006-06-08.html|access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref> The tramway was operated using 16 (initially 14) 0-4-0ST steam tram engines from [[Kitson and Company]] and double-deck passenger trailer cars.<ref name=fwy1>{{cite book |last1=York |first1=F W |last2=Phillips |first2=A R |title=Singapore: A History of its Trams, Trolleybuses & Buses, Volume One 1880s to 1960s |year=1996 |location=Croydon, Surrey, UK  |publisher=DTS Publishing |isbn=1-900515-00-8 }}</ref> However, the tramway proved to not be competitive against other modes of transport like the [[rickshaws]] and was discontinued in 1894.

The first electric railways in Singapore began in 1891 as a 180 feet-long demonstration line built along [[Keppel Harbour|New Harbour]] (present-day Keppel Harbour) by Charles Buckley with anticipation that an electric tramway between the Town and Kranji be built eventually. Several distinguished figures, including the [[Sultan of Johor]]e were invited to witness the experiment and the Sultan rode on a makeshift tramcar up and down the line.<ref name=fwy1 /> This was followed by the Kranji Electric Line built near the residence of the Johore Sultan in 1892. Despite initial positive reception on the opening of the Line, little materialised out of the demonstrations.

===Singapore-Kranji Railway, 1900s===
[[File:Tank Road Station, Singapore, with a Hunslet 4-4-0T steam locomotive.jpg|thumb|left|Tank Road station, the original town terminus of the Singapore Government Railway]]
Plans to build a railway line through Singapore, primarily to service the New Harbour had been mooted as early as 1869 by Engineer W. J. du Port of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company but the project to build a railway line was only approved by Governor [[Charles Mitchell (colonial administrator)|Charles Bullen Hugh Mitchell]] only in 1899 after then Governor [[Cecil Clementi Smith]] raised the need for it in an 1889 Legislative Council meeting. Construction works were then initiated, with the groundbreaking ceremony held on 16 April 1900. Chinese labour was employed principally.<ref name=nlb />

C. E. Spooner, general manager of the [[Federated Malay States Railway]] (FMSR), was appointed the supervisor of the project. At a total cost of $1,967,495, the Singapore-Kranji Railway (also known as the Singapore Government Railway), running from Singapore to [[Kranji]], was completed in 1903. The first section was launched on 1 January 1903. It stretched from Singapore station at Tank Road to [[Bukit Timah]] and consisted of four stations along the line: [[Tank Road railway station|Singapore]], [[Newton railway station, Singapore|Newton]], [[Cluny Road railway station|Cluny]] and [[Bukit Timah railway station|Bukit Timah]]. According to a newspaper report the following day, “a total of 557½ passengers were carried” on the opening day. The second section, which extended the line to [[Woodlands railway station, Singapore|Woodlands]], was completed three months later when the Woodlands station was opened on 10 April 1903. In 1903, there were a total of 426,044 passengers. By 1905, this had increased to 525,553. Soon after, work began on the extension of the railway line from a point near Tank Road where a new through station was built in 1906/7 to the wharves at [[Pasir Panjang]]. The extension was completed and opened on 21 January 1907. With the extension, the stations along the line were Woodlands, [[Bukit Panjang railway station|Bukit Panjang]], Bukit Timah, [[Holland Road railway station|Holland]], Cluny, Newton, Tank Road, [[Borneo Wharf railway station|Borneo Wharf]] and [[Pasir Panjang railway station|Pasir Panjang]].<ref name=nlb /> [[People's Park railway station|People's Park]] and [[Mandai railway station|Mandai]] were later added as infill stations.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date= 11 December 1903|title= Singapore Kranji Railway|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/singfreepressb19090529-1.2.45?ST=1&AT=search&SortBy=Oldest&K=Mandai+railway+station&P=2&Display=1&filterS=0&QT=mandai,railway,station&oref=article|work= [[The Straits Times]]|location= Singapore|access-date=27 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date= 9 January 1949|title= Railway trip in 1909|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19490109-1.2.28?ST=1&AT=search&k=Borneo%20Wharf%20railway%20station&Display=1&QT=borneo,wharf,railway,station&oref=article|work= [[The Straits Times]]|location= Singapore|access-date=26 March 2022}}</ref>

Rolling stock-wise, the railway initially used four [[4-4-0]] steam locomotives from [[Hunslet Engine Company]] and in 1907, acquired another two of such engines.<ref name=fwy1 />

The Singapore-Kranji Railway initially ran nine trains every day: six through-trains between Woodlands and Tank Road and three trains stopping at Bukit Timah. The last train of the day left Tank Road for Bukit Timah at 6.40 pm. By 1904, there were eight runs per day with all trains running between Tank Road and Woodlands. At a speed of 16 to 29&nbsp;km/h, trains now took 54 to 55 minutes to reach Woodlands from the Town as opposed to two hours on other transport modes like the bullock cart, horse carriage or rickshaw.<ref name=eisen>{{cite book |last1=Teo |first1=Eisen |title=Jalan Singapura : 700 Years of Movement in Singapore |year=2019 |location=Singapore  |publisher=Marshall Cavendish |isbn=9789814828741 }}</ref>

===Return of the tramway, 1905-1926===
{{Main|Trams in Singapore}}
[[File:Singapore tram, 3rd class.jpg|thumb|right|Singapore Traction Company (STC) took over the fledging tramway network in 1925. A third-class tram as operated by STC circa mid-1920s]]
Meanwhile, tramways were experiencing a construction boom across many urban areas following improvements for electric tramways by [[Frank J. Sprague]] in 1888. With high hopes of exporting the electric tram beyond domestic markets, Singapore Tramways Ltd was established in 1901 to build an electric tramway for Singapore. The Tramways Ordinance of 1902 was subsequently enacted, granting rights to the company to build and run a tramway in Singapore.

Five lines, which both ran along the original steam tram alignment and extended beyond the original steam tram network, were planned but another line running between High Street and [[Orchard Road]] and a connecting line to a depot at Mackenzie Road were also built.<ref name=fwy1 /> In 1905, a power station was built to provide electricity supply for the [[overhead lines]] of the tramway; the same station also powered the electric street lighting of the municipality.<ref name=nlb />

The electric tramway was to operate both passenger services and freight services. To this extent a variety of rolling stock was acquired from the [[United Electric Car Company]], namely cross-bench tramcars and "Californian" tramcars for passenger services and freight motors, open wagons and vans for freight transport.<ref name=fwy1 />

On 29 March 1905, the Singapore Tramways was officially acquired by the Singapore Electric Tramways Limited. The electric tramways opened to public on 24 July 1905 to little fanfare. Run-ins with bullock carts and rickshaw drivers as well as vandals troubled the electric tram operations. The growth of the island's commerce provided the impetus for increased hauls, which included passengers, though human traffic on the trams saw slow growth. The competition from rickshaws remained stiff. Nonetheless, the reduction in tram fares increased ridership to 32,000 in 1909; at the end of that year, the company was in the black – albeit with an ultra-modest profit of £134.26.<ref name=nlb />

The tram operators faced the strain of having to replace the tracks and maintain the generators. By 1913, all the tracks required replacement and the generators were worked to full capacity. The outbreak of the [[First World War]] restricted the overhauling efforts; by 1921, Singapore Electric Tramways was making losses of £50,000 annually. It sought professional advice from the successful Shanghai Electric Construction Company, and then undertook a complete rehabilitation in a last-ditch effort to keep the system alive. The trams were rebuilt and the fare scales revised. Fares for short-distance travellers (less than approximately 2.4&nbsp;km) were reduced and the result was dramatic. There was a 235-percent increase in ridership and revenues increased by 95 percent. Singapore Electric Tramways saw a profit of £23,000 in 1923.28.<ref name=nlb />

Just as the system started becoming viable, however, the municipal commissioners refused to extend tramway concessions. They cited incompatibility of the parties’ interests over the state of the roads on which the trams ran and were embarrassed that the reconstructed tracks ran on fine, metalled surface while the outside lanes were battered.<ref name=nlb />

On 1 October 1925, the electric tramways was taken over by the [[Singapore Traction Company]] (STC), which was tasked to convert from trams to [[trolley buses]]. The last trams ran on the streets in 1927.

===Subsequent developments, 1910-1941===
[[File:Tanjong Pagar Railway Station exterior view(1).jpg|thumb|right|Tanjong Pagar served as the railway terminus from 1932 to 2011.]]
In 1904, the Sultan of Johore signed off a 194&nbsp;km line between [[Gemas]] and [[Johor Bahru]] which was completed in 1909.<ref name=eisen /> There was now an almost continuous rail link between Singapore and [[Penang]] excluding the crossing of the [[Straits of Johor]], which was served using two boats named Singapore and Johore.<ref name=nlb /> In 1913, the Singapore-Kranji Railway was sold off to FMSR at a price of $4.136 million in anticipation of eventual connections between the two railways. This connection was finally fulfilled in 1923 with the opening of the [[Johor–Singapore Causeway|Causeway]].

From 1929 to 1932, the portion of the railway between Bukit Timah and Pasir Panjang was deviated from its original alignment to a new route running through [[Tanglin]] and [[Alexandra, Singapore|Alexandra]] to [[Tanjong Pagar railway station|Tanjong Pagar]] to eliminate the [[level crossings]] along the original alignment.

====Military railways, 1920s-1930s====
[[File:Rutland Railway Passenger Train 05-09-25 54.jpeg|thumb|right|Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0ST 3865 "Singapore"]]
The Admiralty Military Railway was a line that branched off the main line near Woodlands and was built in the 1930s to serve the Naval Shipyard at Sembawang. Three of the locomotives were 0-6-0Ts built by Hunslet in 1929 and numbered SL18-20. In November 1941 they were transferred to the FMSR as the second Class A, later becoming 331 class before being sold to the Port Of Singapore in 1946. In addition to the metre gauge line there was a standard gauge system and two of the locomotives which operated this system were returned to the UK in 1955. One of these, Hawthorn Leslie 3865 of 1936, an 0-4-0ST named "Singapore", has been preserved.<ref name=military>{{cite web|title=Singapore Military Railways |url=http://searail.malayanrailways.com/Singapore/Military.htm|access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref>

The Changi Military Railway was a 4-mile long standard gauge line built by the FMSR for the War Department, for the protection of Singapore's new Naval Base at Sembawang. The fortifications for the Naval Base were laid at the entrance to the Old Strait, at Changi, where one 15-inch gun, one 9-inch battery, one 6-inch battery and search lights were installed. The artillery installations were supplied with underground ammunition depots and loaded with armour piercing shells. On the beach, concrete machine emplacements and wire were installed. Airfields in Sembawang, Seletar and Tengah were to provide air cover for the Base. Bagnalls of Stafford supplied an 0-6-0ST, number 2547 of 6/1936, to the War Office department, Changi, Singapore. It had 16" x 22" cylinders and 3' 4" driving wheels. It was last seen derelict in 1947 but its fate is unknown. The railway ran from Fairy Point pier to the battery with a short branch to a depot.<ref name=military />

===Post-war developments, 1950s-1995===
{{See also|History of the MRT (Singapore)}}
[[Image:Jurong KTMB railway line.jpg|thumb|left|Disused railway bridge in the defunct KTM Jurong Line.]]
[[File:Singapore old mrt map.png|thumb|left|A map of the initial MRT system used from 1987–1996]]
By the time the [[Second World War]] ended in 1945, the FMSR was still operating six stations along the line: Tanjong Pagar, Tanglin Halt, Bukit Timah, Bukit Panjang, Kranji and Woodlands. In 1946, the FMSR closed Tanglin Halt, Bukit Panjang and Kranji to allow for faster travel between Woodlands and Tanjong Pagar.<ref name=eisen /> Meanwhile, FMSR was renamed as Malayan Railways in 1948 after the formation of the [[Federation of Malaya]]; in 1962 it was renamed again as [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu]] (KTM).

In 1953, a proposal was made to convert the existing Malayan Railway line into a double-tracked electrified [[light rail transit]] system to resolve the congestion problem; diesel [[railcar]]s could be used should this not be economic. Nothing materialised out of the proposal however. When STC bus drivers went on strike in 1956, a local supplementary train service had to be provided by the Malayan Railways to provide relief for commuters affected by the strike.<ref name=fwy1 />

In 1961 the Singapore Harbour Board had 16 miles of tracks in its 950-acre site, which were connected to the main line west of Tanjong Pagar station. By the 1970s it had been renamed to the Port of Singapore Authority and owned a number of diesel shunters.<ref name=history />

Following [[Self-governance of Singapore#Full internal self-government (1959–1963)|full internal self-governance]] of Singapore in 1959, the new government under the [[People's Action Party]] pursued an aggressive industrialisation policy to resolve unemployment problems, one of which included building [[Jurong|Jurong Industrial Estate]] in 1960. Keen on tapping the economic hinterland of Malaya, a freight-only [[Jurong railway line|Jurong line]] was built in 1963 and was opened in 1965. Trains would run west from Bukit Timah under Clementi Road, through Ulu Pandan, under a roundabout at Upper Ayer Rajah Road and Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim and branched out into three lines that penetrated into Jurong Industrial Estate. Despite high expectations of having 2-3 million tons of good moved every year, a shaky merger with Malaysia from 1963 to 1965 led to under-utilisation of the line's potential. The Jurong line eventually closed in the 1990s despite renewed calls from the Automobile Association of Singapore and various members of the public to upgrade the line for passenger service.<ref name=eisen />

Use of steam locomotives was discontinued in Singapore in 1972. Electrification was planned since the late 1970s but plans never come to fruition.<ref name=history />

KTM trialled [[railbus]] services using experimental vehicles from [[British Rail Engineering Limited|BRE]]-[[British Leyland|Leyland]] and [[Ganz Works|Ganz Mavag]] of Hungary between Singapore and Johor Bahru in 1988.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lawrence|first1=David|title=British Rail Designed 1948-1997 |year=2016 |location=United Kingdom  |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |isbn=978-0711038370}}</ref>

In 1982, a closed loop [[Sentosa Monorail|monorail]] line commenced operations at the resort island of Sentosa following the approval of plans to build it in 1979. The same year, the green light was also given to the construction of the [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Mass Rapid Transit]] (MRT) following a three-phase study conducted from 1972 to 1982 and a debate on an all-bus system against a bus-rail system. The initial MRT network opened in phases from 1987 to 1990, two years ahead of the original deadline of 1992.

In 1990, a rubber-tyred [[automated people mover]], the [[Changi Airport Skytrain]], was opened in [[Changi Airport]] to connect between Terminal 1 and the then newly-opened Terminal 2 on both the landside and airside. Like many of its [[list of airport people mover systems|contemporaries]] such as the [[Tampa International Airport People Movers]] and the [[Gatwick Airport Shuttle Transit]], the Skytrain initially used the fully automated [[Adtranz C-100|Westinghouse-Adtranz C-100]] system.

In 1995, the statutory board in charge of the MRT, the MRTC, was merged with several other statutory boards in charge of other land transport matters to form the [[Land Transport Authority]].

===Last train out of Tanjong Pagar, 2011===
[[File:Woodlands Singapura.jpg|thumb|right|Since 2011, KTM trains stop at Woodlands instead of Tanjong Pagar.]]
The government of Singapore greatly coveted the 217 hectares of land used for the KTM line that was under Malaysian jurisdiction. In 1990, Prime Minister of Singapore [[Lee Kuan Yew]] and Malaysian Finance Minister [[Daim Zainuddin]] signed a landmark [[Malaysia-Singapore Points of Agreement of 1990|Points of Agreement]] (POA) where KTM would withdraw north to Woodlands from Tanjong Pagar in return for three parcels of Singapore land by a company jointly owned by Singapore and Malaysia. However, several terms of the POA came under disagreement between the two governments and little progress was made. In 1998, Singapore moved its CIQ facilities to Woodlands from Tanjong Pagar but Malaysia did not follow suit.<ref name=eisen />

It was only in 2010 when an agreement was reached between the Prime Ministers [[Lee Hsien Loong]] and [[Najib Razak]] to close the loops in the POA. In the end, KTM was shortened to [[Woodlands Train Checkpoint]], while any plans south of Woodlands Train Checkpoint were removed. A cross-border metro system was also agreed upon by the two governments.<ref name=eisen />

On 30 June 2011, Tanjong Pagar railway station saw its last train out before it was closed the next day.

===Contemporary developments, 1990s onwards===
[[File:Marina South Pier MRT Station 202407.jpg|thumb|[[Marina South Pier MRT station]] is one of the newer MRT stations in the network and was opened in 2014.]]
[[File:Clementi MRT Station sleeper replacement plaque.jpg|thumb|The old timber sleepers on the two oldest MRT lines were replaced with concrete ones from 2013 to 2016.]]
Since the completion of the initial MRT system in 1990, the Singapore government has taken steps to further expand the city-state's urban rail network; said expansions have been highlighted in many plans such as the 1996 White Paper<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/PublicationsResearch/files/ReportNewsletter/White-Paper.pdf|title= 1996 White Paper|publisher= Land Transport Authority|access-date= 15 November 2019|archive-date= 25 November 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151125031148/http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/PublicationsResearch/files/ReportNewsletter/White-Paper.pdf|url-status= dead}}</ref> and various Land Transport Master Plans, the latest of which intends to bring the length of the MRT network up to almost 400&nbsp;km by 2040.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Toh |first1=Ting Wei |title=New Sungei Kadut MRT station linking North-South and Downtown lines could shorten trips by 30 mins |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/new-sungei-kadut-mrt-station-linking-north-south-and-downtown-lines-could |website=The Straits Times}}</ref> The first of such extensions was the Woodlands extension connecting [[Sembawang]], [[Woodlands, Singapore|Woodlands]] and [[Kranji]] to [[Yishun]] and [[Choa Chu Kang]] in 1996. In 2002, a spur line connecting [[Changi Airport]] to the main MRT network via [[Singapore Expo]] was fully completed while a new infill MRT station, [[Dover MRT station]], also commenced operations. In 2003, the first fully [[automatic train operation|automated]] heavy rail metro line (there are several older fully automated [[Medium-capacity rail system|medium capacity urban rail systems]] in cities such as [[Lille Metro|Lille]]) opened between [[Punggol MRT/LRT station|Punggol]] and [[HarbourFront MRT station|Harbourfront]].

Following studies on the feasibility of urban applications of [[automated people mover]] systems as feeder transport in the 1990s, a [[Light Rail Transit (Singapore)|Light Rail Transit]] (LRT) line was built between [[Choa Chu Kang]] and [[Bukit Panjang]] and was opened in 1999. However, this LRT line was plagued with many problems such as damaged guide rails.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/lets-talk-about-the-bukit-panjang-lrt-cc70f6496eca|title=Let's talk about the Bukit Panjang LRT|author=Teo Ren Jie|website=Medium}}</ref> The subsequent LRT lines built in [[Sengkang]] and [[Punggol]] in the early 2000s hence used the [[Mitsubishi Crystal Mover]] instead; said technology was also adopted for the Changi Airport Skytrain in 2007 to replace the original C-100 system when the system was further expanded to serve the new Terminal 3.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.mhi.co.jp/technology/review/pdf/e442/e442010.pdf|title= Automated People Mover "Crystal Mover" for Singapore Changi International Airport|publisher=Mitsubishi Heavy Industries}}</ref> Several LRT systems were also planned for many other new towns but were either cancelled or planned as new [[Circle MRT line|MRT]] [[Jurong Region MRT line|lines]] instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.remembersingapore.org/2013/07/23/singapore-mrt-history/amp/|title=A Journey into Singapore MRT's past|website=Remember Singapore|date=July 23, 2013|access-date=November 16, 2019}}</ref>

In 2002, construction of the [[Circle MRT line|Circle Line]], which was previously conceived as separate LRT lines, commenced and was to connect the sub-regional centres of [[Bishan, Singapore|Bishan]], [[Paya Lebar]] and [[Buona Vista]] together. However, construction was impeded by the collapse of Nicoll Highway in 2004 that claimed four lives and injured another three. Operations of the fully automated medium capacity line only commenced in 2009 and the original line was fully completed by 2012. The second medium-capacity MRT line, the [[Downtown MRT line]], was built from 2008 and was opened in stages from 2013 to 2017. In January 2020, the sixth MRT line, the [[Thomson–East Coast MRT line]], commenced operations.

In 2005, the original Sentosa monorail was closed down due to plans to redevelop Sentosa with an [[Resorts World Sentosa|integrated resort]] by 2010. A new [[Sentosa Express]] built by [[Hitachi]] commenced operations two years later.

The MRT system was hit by a series of serious disruptions in the 2010s, the most serious cases occurring in December 2011, July 2015 and October 2017. To address the problems, the government has sought to renew and expand the network as well as expand the workforce in the rail industry. This has included replacement of [[railroad tie|sleepers]], [[third rail]], power supply, [[SelTrac|signalling]] and [[track circuit]]s on the [[North–South MRT line|North–South]] and [[East–West MRT line|East–West]] lines,<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/upcoming_projects/system_renewal/upgrading_the_north_south_and_east_west_lines_nsewl.html|title= Upgrading the North-South and East-West Lines (NSEWL)|website=Land Transport Authority}}</ref> procurement of new rolling stock for existing lines and building of new lines to relieve congestion on the existing lines.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/plans-double-rail-network-2030-well-way-lta|title= Singapore on track to double rail network by 2030|website=TODAY|date=20 November 2015}}</ref> The Singapore Rail Academy was also inaugurated in 2017 to better train railway engineers<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/industry_innovations/industry_transformation_map/academies/singapore_rail_academy.html|title=Singapore Rail Academy|website=Land Transport Authority}}</ref> and a new integrated train testing centre is to be built by 2022 to rigorously test new rail technologies.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://landtransportguru.net/integrated-train-testing-centre/ |title= Integrated Train Testing Centre |website=Land Transport Guru}}</ref> These efforts are starting to pay off with the reliability of the MRT lines improving by almost ten-fold by 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=North-South Line's train reliability now on par with Hong Kong, Taipei systems: Khaw Boon Wan|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/north-south-line-train-rail-reliability-on-par-hong-kong-taipei-11694564|website=Channel News Asia|publisher=Mediacorp|date=5 July 2019|access-date=17 November 2019|archive-date=17 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117070426/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/north-south-line-train-rail-reliability-on-par-hong-kong-taipei-11694564|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Urban rail transit==
===Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)===
{{main|Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)}}
[[File:R151 Arriving Buona Vista MRT Station.jpg|thumb|Mass Rapid Transit]]
The [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Mass Rapid Transit]], which opened in 1987, is a [[heavy rail]] metro system that serves as the major backbone of Singapore's public transport system along with [[Bus transport in Singapore|public buses]]; as of 2022, the network has a length of {{convert|230|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} and 134 stations. The [[Land Transport Authority]] plans to provide a more comprehensive rail transport system by expanding the rail system to a total of {{convert|360|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} by the year 2030, with eight in ten households living within a 10-minute walking distance of an MRT station.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=38dc4ca3-5e70-4bf8-97bc-87f78e6303e7|title=Two New Rail Lines and Three New Extensions to Expand Rail Network by 2030|website=www.lta.gov.sg|access-date=2019-04-08}}</ref>

The current [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|MRT]] network consists of six main lines: the [[North–South MRT line|North–South Line]], [[East–West MRT line|East–West Line]], [[Circle MRT line|Circle Line]] and [[Thomson–East Coast MRT line|Thomson–East Coast Line]] operated by [[SMRT Trains]] ([[SMRT Corporation]]) and the [[North East MRT line|North East Line]] and [[Downtown MRT line|Downtown Line]] operated by [[SBS Transit]]. Two more lines, the [[Jurong Region MRT line|Jurong Region Line]] and the [[Cross Island MRT line|Cross Island Line]], will open in stages from 2027 and 2030 respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/jurong-region-line-mrt-stations-open-2026-10216126|title=Jurong Region Line to serve NTU, Tengah estate, Jurong Industrial Estate|website=CNA|language=en|access-date=2019-04-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/first-phase-of-cross-island-mrt-line-finalised-will-have-12-stations|title=First phase of Cross Island MRT line finalised; will have 12 stations|date=2019-01-25|website=The Straits Times|language=en|access-date=2019-04-08}}</ref>

===Light Rail Transit (LRT)===
{{main|Light Rail Transit (Singapore)}}
[[File:(SGP-Singapore) Bukit Panjang LRT Line Bombardier Innovia APM 300R C801B 136 @ Bukit Panjang 2024-08-02.jpg|thumb|Light Rail Transit]]
In several [[new town]]s, [[automatic train operation|automated]] [[rubber-tyred metro|rubber-tyred]] light rail transit systems function as feeders to the main MRT network in lieu of feeder buses. The first LRT line, which is operated by [[SMRT Corporation|SMRT]] Light Rail, opened in [[Bukit Panjang LRT line|Bukit Panjang]] in 1999 to provide a connection to [[Choa Chu Kang MRT/LRT station|Choa Chu Kang]] in neighbouring [[Choa Chu Kang New Town]]. Although subsequently hit by over 50 incidents, some of which resulted in several days of system suspension, similar systems albeit from a different company were introduced in [[Sengkang LRT line|Sengkang]] and [[Punggol LRT line|Punggol]] in 2003 and 2005 respectively, both operated by [[SBS Transit]].

===Trams===
{{main|Trams in Singapore}}
Trams twice operated in Singapore: a steam tram from 1886 to 1894 and an electric tram from 1905 to 1927. Both attempts were unsuccessful and the second attempt was replaced with [[Trolleybuses in Singapore|trolley buses]].

==Airport people mover==
{{Main articles|Changi Airport Skytrain}}
[[File:Singapore Changi Skytrain 20111109.jpg|thumb|Changi Airport Skytrain]][[Changi Airport]], the main international airport of Singapore, is served by an automated rubber-tyred [[Changi Airport Skytrain|Skytrain]] system which first opened in 1990 to connect both the landside and airside of Terminals 1 and 2 when the latter terminal opened the same year. From 2004 to 2007, the original [[Adtranz C-100]] system was replaced with the [[Mitsubishi Crystal Mover]] when the system was upgraded and expanded to Terminal 3. In 2019, six more vehicles were phased in and three-car services between Terminals 2 and 3 were introduced to expand the capacity of the system.<ref>{{cite web|title=Getting between Terminal 2 & Terminal 3|url=http://www.changiairport.com/getting-around/getting-around-the-airport/inter-terminal-transfer|access-date=6 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401061404/http://www.changiairport.com/getting-around/getting-around-the-airport/inter-terminal-transfer|archive-date=1 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

An underground airport people mover system will also be built to serve the new Terminal 5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sbr.com.sg/aviation/news/changi-impose-higher-fees-and-new-airport-tax-starting-july-1|title=Changi to impose higher fees and new airport tax starting July 1|website=Singapore Business Review}}</ref>

==Other local rail lines==
Singapore has had other various forms of light railway systems, such as the [[monorail]] system on [[Sentosa]] island, which opened in February 1982. This 6.4&nbsp;km, 6-station system was closed in March 2005 and a new [[Sentosa Express]] system was built by December 2006. The [[Jurong BirdPark]] previously featured an air-conditioned [[Jurong BirdPark Panorail|panorail]] which closed in 2012. A two-feet gauge railway using diesel-powered "steam locomotives" had also previously operated at the [[Singapore Zoo]] in the mid-1990s.<ref name=fwy2>{{cite book |last1=York |first1=F W |title=Singapore: A History of its Trams, Trolleybuses & Buses, Volume Two 1970s to 1990s |year=2009 |location=Croydon, Surrey, UK  |publisher=DTS Publishing |isbn=978-1-900515-01-6 }}</ref>

Historically Singapore had also operated several [[industrial railway]]s at the [[Port of Singapore]] and the [[Mandai]] Quarry and several military railways at military bases at Admiralty and Changi.<ref name=military /><ref>{{cite web|title=Singapore Industrial Railways|url= http://searail.malayanrailways.com/Industrial/industrial.htm}}</ref>

==International rail links==
===KTM West Coast railway line===
{{main|KTM West Coast railway line}}
[[File:Woodlands Train Checkpoint.jpg|thumb|A KTM Intercity train at Woodlands Train Checkpoint]]
[[File:Eastern and oriental express 20190401 jb.jpg|thumb|right|Eastern and Oriental Express]]
The sole mainline railway line providing direct international connections is the Malaysian [[KTM West Coast railway line|West Coast railway line]] which runs across the [[Johor–Singapore Causeway]] from [[Johor Bahru]] to [[Woodlands Train Checkpoint]], the southern terminus of the line.

The metre-gauge single track previously ran all the way to the [[Tanjong Pagar railway station]] in southern Singapore, running through Kranji, Bukit Timah and Buona Vista. The line was however closed on 30 June 2011 and train services, which were provided by [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu]], ended at Woodlands instead. The railway tracks were progressively removed.

All KTM Intercity train services used to cross the Causeway and end at Woodlands. However, from 1 July 2015, a shuttle service began running between [[Johor Bahru Sentral railway station]] (JB Sentral) in Johor Bahru and Woodlands. Intercity train services formerly serving Woodlands Train Checkpoint terminated at JB Sentral.<ref name="CNA">{{cite news |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ktmb-to-launch-shuttle-train-services-between-woodlands-johor-ba-8276594 |title=KTMB to launch shuttle train services between Woodlands, Johor Bahru |date=15 June 2015 |work=Channel NewsAsia |location=Singapore |access-date=31 July 2017 |archive-date=31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731203938/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ktmb-to-launch-shuttle-train-services-between-woodlands-johor-ba-8276594 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The shuttle service will be replaced by the [[Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System]] by 2027 when it is expected to become operational.

The [[Eastern and Oriental Express]] [[luxury train]] runs between Woodlands and [[Bangkok]] via [[Kuala Lumpur]].

===Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System===
{{main|Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System}}

The idea of an MRT link across the border to [[Johor Bahru]] has been mooted since the first MRT line was built in the 1980s. In 2010 when the relocation of the KTM terminus to Woodlands was agreed, it was also announced that a rapid transit system would be built to enhance connectivity across the border and to relieve congestion on the [[Johor-Singapore Causeway]].<ref>{{cite news |work= [[Channel NewsAsia]] |location =Singapore |date= 24 May 2010 |title= KTMB station in Tanjong Pagar to relocate to Woodlands by Jul 2011 |url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1058645/1/.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency= [[Bernama]] |date= 24 May 2010 |title= Malaysia To Relocate Tanjong Pagar Train Station To Woodlands |url= http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=500673 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221148/http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=500673 |archive-date= 3 March 2016 |df= dmy-all }}</ref>

The [[Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System|RTS]] is currently envisioned as a two-station line. Singapore RTS terminus will be at [[Woodlands North MRT/RTS station|Woodlands North]], providing interchange with the [[Thomson–East Coast MRT line]]. The Johor Bahru RTS terminus will be at [[Bukit Chagar RTS station|Bukit Chagar]], next to [[Johor Bahru Sentral railway station]] and [[Sultan Iskandar Building|Sultan Iskandar CIQ Building]].<ref>{{cite news |work= [[Channel NewsAsia]] |location =Singapore |date= 10 December 2015 |title= Ridership study to be conducted for Singapore-JB Rapid Transit System |url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ridership-study-to-be/2336708.html}}</ref> The two stations will each have combined Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities of both countries, similar to the current arrangement at Woodlands Train Checkpoint. Passengers will clear both countries' border controls before boarding the RTS train, and need no further checks upon arrival at the other station.

The RTS link was planned to be operational by 2024, but the project was postponed under the request of the Malaysian government for review, and its completion was pushed to end-2026, with construction starting in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-10-17|title=Malaysian PM Mahathir confirms RTS will proceed, but says it will 'take some time'|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysian-mahathir-rts-proceed-more-time-hsr-12009212|access-date=2020-07-22|website=CNA|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-21|title=JB-Singapore RTS Link project signing ceremony to be held on Jul 30, says Malaysian transport minister|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/malaysia-johor-bahru-singapore-rts-signing-july-30-12934908|access-date=2020-07-22|website=CNA|language=en}}</ref> After the completion of the RTS link, train services to [[Woodlands Train Checkpoint]] will cease operations, completing [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu|KTM]]'s withdrawal from Singapore.<ref name="RTS">{{cite news |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-malaysia-ministers-agree-to-start-mrt-service-to-johor-baru-by-2024 |title=Singapore, Malaysia ministers agree to start MRT service to Johor Baru by 2024 |date=31 July 2017 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=31 July 2017}}</ref>

===Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High Speed Rail===
{{main|Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High Speed Rail}}

Plans to build a high-speed rail link between Singapore and [[Kuala Lumpur]] have been mooted in recent years. A proposal was brought up in 2006 by [[YTL Corporation Berhad]], builder and operator of the [[Express Rail Link]] in Kuala Lumpur,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/252816/1/.html | title=Singapore open to proposals on bullet train between KL and S'pore | access-date=12 December 2007 | archive-date=18 January 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118211103/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/252816/1/.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> however it was not further acted upon due to the Malaysian government's lack of interest at that time.

In 2013, the governments of Singapore and Malaysia officially agreed to build the [[Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High Speed Rail]] between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore by 2020 at a meeting between Singapore's Prime Minister [[Lee Hsien Loong]] and Malaysia's Prime Minister [[Najib Razak]] in Singapore.<ref name=feb19agree>{{Cite news| title = KL-Singapore high-speed link to kick off| publisher = Investvine.com| date = 2013-02-20| url= http://investvine.com/kl-singapore-high-speed-link-to-kick-off/| access-date =2013-02-27}}</ref> The high-speed rail link will cut travel time between the two cities from seven hours on existing rail lines, to about 90 minutes. Malaysia's [[Land Public Transport Commission (Malaysia)|Land Public Transport Commission]] chairman, [[Syed Hamid Albar]], announced seven stops in Malaysia for the high speed railway, namely [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Putrajaya]], [[Seremban]], [[Ayer Keroh]], [[Muar (town)|Muar]], [[Batu Pahat]] and [[Iskandar Puteri|Nusajaya]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/transport/story/singapore-kuala-lumpur-high-speed-rail-have-seven-stops-malaysia-2014|title=Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High Speed Rail have Seven Stops Malaysia 2014}}</ref> In May 2015, the Singapore government announced Jurong East to be the site of the HSR terminus in Singapore, 600 metres away from the current [[Jurong East MRT station]].<ref>{{cite news |work= [[Channel NewsAsia]] |location= Singapore |date= 5 May 2011 |title= Singapore's High Speed Rail terminus will be located at Jurong East |url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-s-high-speed/1826070.html |access-date= 19 March 2016 |archive-date= 27 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170327153325/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-s-high-speed/1826070.html |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work= [[The Straits Times]] |location =Singapore |date=11 May 2011 |title= Singapore high-speed rail terminus will be at current Jurong Country Club site|url=  http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/singapore-high-speed-rail-terminus-will-be-at-current-jurong-country-club-site}}</ref> Construction of the railway was expected to start in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/kuala-lumpur-singapore-hsr-rail-link-what-to-know-10284406|title=KL-Singapore HSR: What you need to know|website=CNA|language=en|access-date=2019-04-08|archive-date=26 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126154119/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/kuala-lumpur-singapore-hsr-rail-link-what-to-know-10284406|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In May 2018, the Malaysian Prime Minister [[Mahathir Mohamad]] initially announced that the line was to be cancelled, but later said that the project was merely delayed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/hsr-postponed-not-scrapped-says-mahathir|title=HSR postponed, not scrapped, says Mahathir|date=2018-06-13|website=The Straits Times|language=en|access-date=2019-04-08}}</ref> An agreement for a two-year suspension was made, and the line was expected to open by January 2031.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/malaysia-singapore-ink-agreement-to-defer-high-speed-rail-project-for-two-years|title=Malaysia, Singapore ink agreement to defer high-speed rail project for 2 years; KL to pay S$15m for suspending work|date=2018-09-05|website=The Straits Times|language=en|access-date=2019-04-08}}</ref> However the two governments ultimately failed to reach an agreement to continue the project and terminated it on 1 January 2021 in a joint statement.<ref name="Yuen-C 2021">{{cite web | last=Yuen-C | first=Tham | title=KL-Singapore High Speed Rail terminated, after Singapore and Malaysia fail to reach agreement on project | website=The Straits Times | date=1 January 2021 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/kl-singapore-high-speed-rail-terminated-after-singapore-and-malaysia-fail-to | access-date=1 January 2021 | archive-date=1 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101025919/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/kl-singapore-high-speed-rail-terminated-after-singapore-and-malaysia-fail-to | url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2021, Malaysia compensated Singapore S$102.8 million for the terminated project.<Ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/malaysia-singapore-compensation-high-speed-rail-289151 |last=Yong |first=Michael |date=15 April 2021 |title=Malaysia pays S$102.8 million in compensation for terminated KL-Singapore HSR project |work=Channel News Asia |publisher=MediaCorp}}</Ref> In November 2021, the Malaysian Prime Minister [[Ismail Sabri Yaakob]] suggested reviving the project with route changes.<Ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-myhsr-kl-singapore-high-speed-rail-project-concept-proposals-3622841 |last=Bedi |first=Rashvinjeet |date=12 July 2023 |title=Malaysia seeks proposals to revive KL-Singapore HSR project |work=Channel News Asia |publisher=MediaCorp}}</Ref> Malaysia is currently in the process of gathering concept proposals to deliver the project under a joint public-private partnership.<Ref>{{cite news |date=8 November 2023 |title=Kuala Lumpur – Singapore high speed rail proposal deadline extended |work=Railway Gazette International |publisher=DVV Media International |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/kuala-lumpur-singapore-high-speed-rail-proposal-deadline-extended/65294.article}}</Ref>

==Technical specifications==
===[[Track (rail transport)|Trackwork]] and [[structure gauge]]===
[[File:Tanah Merah MRT Station, Jul 06.JPG|thumb|Elevated rail tracks in the MRT network have guard rails for safety purposes.]]
Historically, railway lines from the colonial period, such as the now-defunct trams and the KTM rail lines, used the [[metre gauge]] of 1,000mm. However several military railways in former British military bases also used the [[standard gauge]] of 1,435mm.<ref name=military />

The contemporary MRT system uses the 1,435mm standard track gauge with the elevated lines also having [[Guard rail (rail)|guard rails]] to prevent a derailed vehicle from striking fixed obstructions and viaduct parapets by keeping derailed wheels adjacent to the running rails. Three types of rail tracks are used on the MRT: [[Track ballast|ballasted track]], [[Ballastless track|fixed slab track]] and floating slab track; floating slab tracks are used at sections of the  rail network  located beneath  densely populated and built-up  areas to alleviate  vibration  and  noise transmission to neighbouring buildings,  by  means of  interposing  rubberised  supports  between the tunnel wall and the tracks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mot.gov.sg/news/COI%20report%20-%20Chapter%201%20-%207.pdf|title=REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO THE DISRUPTION OF MRT TRAIN SERVICES ON 15 AND 17 DECEMBER 2011|publisher=Ministry of Transport|date=3 July 2012}}</ref> When initially built, the MRT used [[swingnose crossing]]s for 26 out of 131 [[railway point]]s to minimise noise. From July to November 2000, these swingnose crossings were replaced with conventional ones for reliability reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20010413-1.2.16.1|title= A little noisier, but much safer|publisher=TODAY|author=Shazalina Salim|date=13 April 2001}}</ref>

The structure gauge of the MRT is based upon the [[kinematic envelope]] such that each point on the perimeter of the kinematic envelope is enlarged vertically upwards by 50mm and horizontally by 100mm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/Industry/files/DC_EGD09106A1_Overall.pdf|title=CIVIL DESIGN CRITERIA FOR ROAD AND RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEMS|publisher=LTA Engineering Group|access-date=17 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829145818/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/Industry/files/DC_EGD09106A1_Overall.pdf|archive-date=29 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Sengkang LRT line|Sengkang-]][[Punggol LRT line|Punggol LRT]] and [[Changi Airport Skytrain]] use a 1,880mm broad gauge guideway while the [[Bukit Panjang LRT line]] relies on a central guide rail.

===[[Railway coupling|Coupling]]===
KTM uses [[Janney coupler|AAR couplers]] on its trains. All trains on the MRT network, including [[work train]]s, use [[Scharfenberg coupler|Scharfenberg type 35 couplers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voith.com/ita-it/1994_e_g1712_en_schaku_verbinden-schuetzen_2016-09.pdf|title=Connect and Protect. Coupler and Front End Systems|publisher=Voith}}</ref> The Bukit Panjang LRT uses BSI (Bergische Stahl Industrie) couplers whereas the [[Mitsubishi Crystal Mover]] vehicles used on the Sengkang and Punggol LRT use the compact tight coupler from [[Japan Steel Works]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jsw.co.jp/en/product/technology/technical_review/technical_review-3851897704887617981/main/0/link/File172219393.pdf|title=History and Future Prospects of Rolling Stock Parts|publisher=Japan Steel Works Industrial Machinery Dept., Hiroshima Plant|first1=Teruyuki|last1=Aida|first2=Yusuke|last2=Nishimi|first3=Atsunori|last3=Yamaguchi|first4=Noriaki|last4=Oonuma|quote="JSW  began  to  consider coupler device for overseas, and delivered our  products  to  Singapore  for  new  transportation  systems  in  2000."}}</ref>

===[[Railway electrification]]===
[[File:PTC Punggol tracks.jpg|thumb|Guideway of the Punggol LRT, with the third rail located to the right of the guideway.]]
The entire MRT network uses the 750V DC [[third rail]] with the exception of the North East Line, which uses 1,500V [[overhead catenary]].

The Bukit Panjang LRT uses a 650V three phase AC third rail located between the guide beams whereas the Sengkang and Punggol LRT use a side-mounted 750V DC third rail.
{{clear}}

===[[Railway signalling]]===
[[File:Bukit Timah Railway Station in Singapore - train driver taking key token.png|thumb|right|[[Token (railway signalling)|Token signalling]] as used at KTM Bukit Timah station]]
The KTM was known to use token signalling in Singapore as the main line between [[Woodlands Train Checkpoint|Woodlands]] and [[Tanjong Pagar Railway Station|Tanjong Pagar]] was a single track line.

In contrast the MRT system uses contemporary technology for its signalling systems such as [[computer-based interlocking]], [[automatic train protection]], [[automatic train operation]] and automatic train supervision. Although the original signalling system used on the [[North–South MRT line|North–South and]] [[East–West MRT line|East–West]] lines were previously fixed-block, newer MRT lines use a moving block system and the former two lines have also been migrated to a moving block system. Although all MRT lines are automated and correspond to a Grade of Automation (GOA) 4, degraded modes in the form of Coded Manual and Restricted Manual are available for emergency and shunting purposes.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Pang|first1=Hock Lye, John|last2=Cheong|first2=Mun Kit, Eric|title=Railway Systems Handbook|date=2019|publisher=Institution of Engineers Singapore|isbn=978-981-14-2006-1}}</ref>

===Railway standards===
In the 1980s the railway standards adopted on the MRT network were from the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Japan]], with the former being for railway signalling and train control systems and the latter for rolling stock. The NFPA 130 Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems from the USA were also initially adopted as no local standards for a rapid transit system existed then until the development of the Standard for Fire Safety in Rapid Transit Systems (SFSRTS) by LTA and the [[Singapore Civil Defense Force]] in 2000. Subsequent railway standards for subsequent MRT lines were adopted from [[CENELEC]] of Europe; LTA also ensures that these new lines are compliant to standards laid out under [[ISO]] TC 269 and [[International Electrotechnical Commission|IEC]] TC 9, the latter which LTA is also a participating member.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ng |first=Hon Wai |date=January 2018 |title=Application of Railway Standards |url=https://issuu.com/desmond6/docs/tse_jan_18_web?e=15955373/57985486 |magazine=The Singapore Engineer}}</ref>

In March 2021, the first three areas of the Singapore Railway Standards was launched with the ultimate goal being to provide a benchmark for the rail industry players in Singapore. Developed by 17 working groups under a technical committee established in 2020, the standards would cover on asset management, maintenance, safety and security, and service.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/rail-industry-standards-launched-to-get-all-stakeholders-on-same-page|title=Singapore rail industry standards launched to get all stakeholders on same page|publisher=The Straits Times|date=23 March 2021}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Transport in Singapore]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite news|last1=Freeman|first1=Lewis R.|title=How the Railroad is Modernising Asia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5385284|access-date=8 November 2014|work=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]]|date=22 March 1913|location=Adelaide, SA, Australia|page=8}} (An historical article of approx. 1,500 words, covering about a dozen Asian countries.)
* {{cite book|last1=McNicol|first1=Steve|title=Kuala Lumpur & Singapore: a railway pictorial|date=1985|publisher=Railmac Publications|location=Elizabeth, SA, Australia|isbn=0949817503}}
* {{cite book|last1=Pang|first1=Hock Lye, John|last2=Cheong|first2=Mun Kit, Eric|title=Railway Systems Handbook|date=2019|publisher=Institution of Engineers Singapore|location=Singapore|isbn=978-981-14-2006-1}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Rail transport in Singapore}}
*[http://searail.malayanrailways.com/Singapore/SRhistory.htm Singapore Railways History] – A detailed history of Singapore's early railways
*[http://searail.malayanrailways.com/Industrial/industrial.htm Industrial Railways in Singapore] – About [[industrial railway]]s in early Singapore history
*[https://www.sgtrains.com/ SGTrains] – A [[railfan|train enthusiast]] community-created website on contemporary rail transport in Singapore

{{Asia in topic|Rail transport in}}
{{Rail transport in Singapore}}
{{Urban Rail Transit in ASEAN}}

[[Category:Rail transport in Singapore| ]]