SBS Transit, in partnership with French-based RATP Dev Asia Pacific, has been awarded the contract to operate the Jurong Region MRT Line (JRL), Singapore’s seventh MRT line. This marks the first time a foreign operator has been involved in Singapore’s local rail industry. The joint venture’s bid was 8 per cent lower than that of competitor SMRT Trains. The nine-year contract, with a potential two-year extension, is valued at approximately SGD750 million.
The 24 km JRL will connect key western Singapore areas, including the Jurong Industrial Estate, Jurong Innovation District, and Nanyang Technological University. The line, consisting of 24 stations, is expected to open in stages between 2027 and 2029. Initial ridership is anticipated to reach 200,000, growing to over 500,000 as regional developments progress.
