The Group Rapid Transit vehicles, which is similar to an
automated minibus, can travel at a speed of 40km/h and carry up to
24 passengers each, say the companies.
SINGAPORE: Automated vehicle systems providing seamless
first-and-last-mile connectivity for commuters in Singapore could
soon become a reality with the announcement of a joint venture (JV)
between SMRT Services and Dutch company 2 Getthere Holding
(2getthere) on Wednesday (Apr 20).
The Singapore-based JV, called 2getthere Asia, will market,
install, operate and maintain automated vehicle systems for
customers in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific, according to both
parties during a press briefing.
The aim is to commercialise 2getthere's third-generation Group
Rapid Transit vehicle system in Singapore by the end of the year,
both parties added.
A feasibililty study for these vehicles has been conducted on a
campus in Singapore, according to 2getthere’s chairman and founder
Carel van Helsdingen. “The first step is the feasibility study, the
next step is the trial, which is the proof of the pudding, and
then, the full implementation.“
A Group Rapid Transit vehicle that can accommodate 24
passengers. (Photo: SMRT Services)
These Group Rapid Transit vehicles, which is similar to an
automated minibus, can travel at a speed of 40km/h and carry up to
24 passengers each. It can operate as a low-cost automated transit
system that can cater for up to 8,000 passengers per hour in any
single direction.
“We can see these systems being applied in closed environments
like campuses, hospitals, and business parks,” said SMRT Services
managing director Colin Lim. “This would provide your high quality
first and last mile connectivity – for example, a commuter could
stop at an MRT station, get onto one of these vehicles and go to
different parts of his work environment.”
A replica of a Personal Rapid Transit system shown at
Wednesday's press briefing. (Photo: Lianne Chia)
2getthere has already implemented similar systems in other parts
of the world. For instance, a driverless Personal Rapid Transit
system, which uses smaller vehicles that seat four, was developed
in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Masdar City is a carbon-neutral,
car-free city powered entirely by alternative energy sources. More
than 2 million passenger trips have been made on this system to
date.
- CNA/kk
