Ever-increasing urbanisation and rapid industrialisation around the globe are fuelling the need to develop faster, more efficient, more reliable and economical modes of transportation. Subsequently, rapid transit systems are being developed, leading to an increase in the demand for more efficient and improved rolling stock. According to industry reports, global demand for rolling stock is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2 per cent from 2019 to 2025 with demand expected to touch $75.12 billion by 2025. Southeast Asia Infrastructure gives a snapshot of the recent developments in the rolling stock market across the region…
First set of trains delivered for the Jakarta-Bandung HSR line
In September 2022, China-based CRRC Qingdao Sifang Company Limited has delivered the first batch of trains for the 142 km Jakarta-Bandung high speed rail (HSR) line in Indonesia. The delivery comprises one eight-car Yawan train and one inspection train. Each Yawan train consists of four motor and four trailer cars. The trains are equipped with advanced grade of automation level 1 technology and are designed to reach a maximum speed of 350 km per hr. The second batch of three trains is expected to be delivered on December 25, 2022. The third and fourth batches of seven trains each will be delivered on February 25, 2023 and March 15, 2023 respectively.
It is estimated that the new line will reduce the journey time from Jakarta to Bandung from three hours to around 40 minutes. The project is being developed by Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, a consortium of Indonesian and Chinese companies. The trials of these trains on the Tegalluar-Kopo track will be conducted in November 2022. Commercial operations are expected to begin by June 2023.
DoTr overhauls 50 train cars on the Philippines’ MRT-3 line
In April 2022, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) of the Philippines announced that it had completed the overhaul process of around 50 train cars on the Manila Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), with more wagons scheduled for delivery. Japan-based Sumitomo, the line’s maintenance provider, is in charge of providing the vehicles for the rehabilitation project and plans to deliver the remaining 22 of the 72 wagons over the next few months.
As per the latest updates, 21 train sets are operational on the MRT-3 line, comprising 19 three-car CKD train sets and two four-car CKD train sets. The trains are operating at a full passenger capacity of 1,182 per train set.
New rolling stock to operate on Kelana Jaya LRT in Malaysia
The Ministry of Transport (MoT) of Malaysia announced that the first eight four-car trains (32 cars) will commence operations on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Kelana Jaya Line in July 2023. The remaining 19 trains will begin operation by the end of 2024. The trains are part of the RM 1.72 billion Kuala Lumpur Additional Vehicles 27 (KLAV27) project. A contract was awarded to Bombardier and Hartasuma Sdn Bhd to deliver 27 Innovia Metro 300 trains (108 cars) for the LRT line. The final assembly and interior fit-out of the trains will be carried out at Alstom’s Westport facility in Malaysia. The additional trains will reduce headway during peak hours.
Vietnam’s transport sector to be fully electric
The Government of Vietnam will stop manufacturing and importing internal combustion engine vehicles that run on fossil fuel from 2040. This is in line with the government’s agenda to achieve net zero emissions in the country’s transport sector by 2050. By 2050, all vehicles, including public transport, will be required to operate on electricity or green energy. To support this transition, charging infrastructure will also be scaled up across the country. To make rail transport more sustainable, the government will pilot the use of electric and green energy vehicles on existing lines until 2030 as well as invest in the development of new fully electric rail lines.
Government of Sarawak to purchase 38 autonomous rail vehicles
The Government of Sarawak has announced that it plans to purchase 38 autonomous rail rapid transit (ART) vehicles for the Kuching Urban Transportation System in Malaysia. The vehicles will be manufactured and supplied by China-based CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Company Limited. The key features of the ART vehicles include original independent guidance and trackfollowing technology. It also allows for short construction periods, adaptability, and flexible operation. With a speed of 70 km per hour, the vehicles will be able to carry around 300 passengers at a given time. Trackless articulated hydrogen-powered electric vehicles are also low carbon and environmentally friendly.
Thailand upgrades rolling stock with Chinese-made locomotives
The State Railway of Thailand has startedreplacing its old fleet with new diesel-electric locomotives. The authority is confident that this new diesel-electric locomotive will help increase the efficiency of service to the people. Manufactured by CRRC Qishuyan of China, 20 of the locomotives arrived in April 2022, with 30 more due by early 2023 in a deal reportedly worth THB 6.2 billion ($181 million). The majority of the old locomotives were built in the 1980s and 1990s and were only capable of roughly 2,500 horsepower. The new locomotives have 3,263 horsepower and can tow 550 tonnes at up to 120 km per hour. That speed drops to 70 km per hour for fully loaded cargo trains. They will be used to replace ageing stock for both freight and passenger uses for long distance routes, including links between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Nong Khai and the Deep South.
First batch of new Bukit Panjang LRT trains delivered in Singapore
In May 2022, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore received delivery of the first of 19 new trains for the Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT). The remaining cars are to be delivered in the upcoming months. No concrete timeline has been announced yet. Local testing of the train cars is expected to take three to six months to complete, and the new trains are scheduled to commence service on the BPLRT line by December 2022. The new train cars, which have been supplied by France-based Alstom, are a part of a $344 million modernisation project of BPLRT, scheduled to be completed by 2024. The 19 new cars will operate alongside the 13 existing trains. The LTA also plans to upgrade the existing trains.
MRail to provide MRO services for 35 train sets in Malaysia
M Rail Technics Sdn Bhd (MRail), a subsidiary of Destini Bhd, has secured an RM 531.39 million contract from Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport to maintain, repair and overhaul (MRO) 35 train sets operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd in Malaysia. The level 4 MRO contract will be valid for four and a half years (according to a statement on May 23, 2022). Each train set will undergo a comprehensive MRO process that includes complete disassembly of key components, extensive inspections, and parts replacement as necessary.
