So sad if BPLRT kena scrapped. Maybe refurbish the train like
they did on the MRT will be enough.
But can they build a multi-storey bus depot there, like the SBS
Sengkang train depot?
On the other hand, I do NOT have any solid / insider information
confirming that they will scrapped afterall, but really doubt the
fate of BPJ LRT as the CX-100 was performing CMI, long time the car
110 no announcement one, one even dunno if the doors are closing
and the station's announcement might be too late etc which I
personally, dont think it is feasible to refurbish the train like
C151 (C651 also kena complained as many problems but they will have
the refurbishment, so maybe thats the only hope, which one may have
to wait for 6 years later to make CX-100 17 years old.).
Personally, heres come the issue: 17, arriving 6 years later
[The minimal sensible age to refurbish a train is 15 years old as
said by SMRT the earliest year they would consider refurbishment of
C651 is in 2010 and in the sense of nearest 5 years]. What if the
tender was really 15 years because they feel that the entire LRT
system worth only a few hundred millions (Punggol LRT costs about
$400 million), which might not be enough for one of the particular
MRT contract while MRT costs billions (EWL / NSL was costing near
$6 ~ $10b especially if lateral extensions were factored in, NEL
$4.6b while CCL $6.7b and DTL / TSL / ERL together are going to hit
a $20b). (Read: one of the particular MRT contract does not
necessary refer to entrie stage of the line but it might be even
only one complex station maybe with including with its assoiciating
tunnels)
If it is true that the LRT tender is 15 years, and refurbishment
take 1 year (For all 19 trains, presumely they can refurbish 3 ~ 5
trains per month.), you have to factor the design (Interior) of BPJ
LRT, whos is gonna to refurb it (Read: Kawasaki and its Japanese
gang built the C151s, but it was Hyundai Rotem and dunno what
company which has no relation to this Japanese gang refurb it. So
maybe as an example while Bombardier built the CX100, but Alstom
gets to refurb it etc....???), the entire process may go up to 2
years (1 year decide, 1 year refurb itself in depot) and even if
they tomorrow announce the refurbishment of CX100, by then it has
finished its refurbishment, they are on service for less than 3 ~ 4
years. Ask again, do you think will SMRT foot this bill?
(Especially the poor track record on SLRT, whether LTA wants to
re-tender to SMRT or give it to SBS Transit is another issue.
Scarly, LTA also admits SLRT staffs inexperienced is one reason,
the failed track alignments [Read: Unnecessary turnings going up
and downs in Senja - BPJ etc and the one in Teck Whye - Phoenix is
like.....] is worsening the condition and decide to scrap and
rebuild one [Or not at all since I dont find BPJ a heavily built up
town which neither LTA will really scrap and
rebuild it as they wont build any new LRTs unless
the town is heavily built up]?
Summary: To scrap or not to scrap, to refurb or not, to build
new trains or not, all got their own concerns. The best and safest
bet is that 4 years later, we shall see if there is a re-tendering
or not. If no, then it might be a 20 years (25? 30? Should not be
more than 30 years) tender and after that, SMRT / LTA will see the
next step of chess to be moved.