Bombardier Innovia APM 300R C801B

The Alstom Innovia APM 300R C801B (APM 300R) is the third generation of automated people mover (APM) trains built by CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Alstom Transportation Systems (joint venture of Alstom (Formerly Bombardier Transportation) and CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Company) for the Bukit Panjang LRT line (BPLRT), Singapore, to replace the existing C801 trains built in 1999. The C801B trains are also the first of their kind to reuse the retro AC third rail shoes, in contrast with the newer Light Rail lines around the world that utilise the APM 300 system built with AC third rail instead of DC.

Bombardier Innovia APM 300R C801B
A C801B two-car set departing Bukit Panjang LRT station.
Interior of a C801B car
In service	1 August 2024 (2024-08-01) – Present
Manufacturer	CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Alstom Transportation Systems (Alstom [formerly Bombardier Transportation] and CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Company)
Built at	Wuhu, Anhui, China
Family name	Innovia APM
Replaced	Bombardier Innovia APM 100 C801
Constructed	2019 –
Entered service	1 August 2024 (2024-08-01)
Number built	19 vehicles
Number in service	4 vehicles
Formation	Single vehicles (M) that can be coupled to form 2-car trains
Fleet numbers	133 – 151
Operators	SMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT Corporation)
Depots	Ten Mile Junction
Lines served	BPLRT  Bukit Panjang LRT line
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminum
Doors	2 × 2 per car
Maximum speed	55 km/h (34 mph) (design) 48 km/h (30 mph) (service)
Traction system	Alstom MITrac (500 series) IGBT–VVVF
Electric system(s)	600 V 50 Hz 3-phase AC third rail
Current collector(s)	Collector shoe
UIC classification	AA
Safety system(s)	Alstom Cityflo 650 moving block CBTC ATC under ATO GoA 4 (UTO), with subsystems of ATP, ATS and CBI
Coupling system	Dellner
Headlight type	Triangular LED
Track gauge	2,642-millimetre (8 ft 8 in) central guideway with rubber tyres

Overview

As the aging first generation trains drew near to its deadline service of 20 years, the LTA decided that the first generation trains were due for replacement instead of a refurbishment. This is in part of their renewal programme for the next 10 years for the BPLRT, including rail replacement and signalling upgrades. The LTA then awarded the project to Bombardier Transportation (the manufacturer of the BPLRT train cars at the time, now merged with Alstom) to procure 19 replacement train cars for the BPLRT. However, instead of using back the same technology for the train line, the LTA opted for Bombardier's latest technology on the Innovia system - Innovia APM 300. It is said to be much more reliable in many ways, including a much more robust braking and propulsion system, a higher reliability air conditioning system and many more. But with the BPLRT line utilising the same third rail technology as the APM 100, modification works on the APM 300 cars were done to work with AC third rail power supply. Hence, APM 300R was created, specifically for such conditions. The new trains were revealed on 3 December 2019, spotting a sleeker design and enhanced features.

Unlike the ECX-100 C801 and APM 100 C801A, the APM 300R C801B will feature more efficient MITrac AC traction motors and Variable Frequency inverters, controlled by transistors instead of thyristors.

Exterior Design

The APM 300R C801B vehicles features a black and white paint with a grey, turquoise and white hexagon shape patterns design. SMRT Trains logo are pasted on the front and rear whilst the Land Transport Authority logo are pasted on the sides same in every vehicle of the APM 300R C801B vehicles. Triangular LED lamps, as compared to the Bombardier Innovia APM 100 C801A vehicles, which have circular LED headlights and taillights.

Revenue Service

On 1 August 2024, the first two vehicles designated 135 & 136 have entered passenger service.

Pre-Operational History

The first two train cars designated 133 & 134 were lifted down from the depot to be sent back to the manufacturing plant in China for modification works. The Land Transport Authority later confirms that the two trains were prototypes used to undertake rigorous testing on the BPLRT network to anticipate potential issues under local operating conditions. LTA also confirmed that all trains delivered after came with the modifications pre-applied during manufacturing, and that two of said trains have already arrived and are undergoing local testing.

Train formation

The configuration of a C801B in revenue service is just the one car. With both the motors and the third rail current collectors, the train cars can be coupled up to 2 cars during service.

The car numbers of the trains range from 133 to 151. Individual cars are assigned a three-digit serial number by the rail operator SMRT Trains. A trainset consists of one motor car, e.g. set 133 is car 133. The first digit is always a 1, while the last two digits identify the car number.

• Bombardier Transportation (now Alstom) and CRRC Nanjing Puzhen built sets 133 – 151.