The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has called tenders to appoint operators for two upcoming mass rapid transit (MRT) lines in Singapore, namely the Jurong Region Line (JRL) and the Cross Island Line (CRL). The lines will use the same operating model as the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), under which the government will collect fare revenue and the operators will be paid a fixed service fee to operate and maintain the lines. The initial licensing period is for nine years, with a possibility of a two-year extension.
The tender will be limited to existing rail operators, SMRT Trains and SBS Transit Rail, while foreign operators can join as minority partners through a joint venture.
Contracts for both the lines are expected to be awarded by the end of 2024. Commercial operations on the JRL are scheduled to commence in 2027 while the CRL will open to passenger service in 2030.
