FIRST LOOK AT THE TRAIN
Media were given a preview of the RTS Link train by RTS Operations, a joint venture between SMRT RTS and Prasarana RTS Operations.
The driverless train runs at a maximum speed of 80kmh and is powered by a Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) system, which refers to a system that runs fully automatically without any operating staff on board.
The deployment of staff on board the trains for other purposes, such as customer service, is still under consideration.
Each train is 76m long and 2.7m wide, and consists of four cars with three doors on each side. There are a total of 126 fixed seats and 16 pop-up seats.
When passengers arrive at the station to start their journey, they will pass through automatic fare gates with an open-loop payment system that accepts various forms of payment.
They will then pass through all the necessary immigration and customs checks at the station where they are boarding.
For example, passengers taking the RTS Link from Woodlands North will pass through Singapore’s immigration checks, followed by Malaysia’s, before boarding the train for Bukit Chagar.
This is to prevent the build-up of crowds at the destination station, where passengers can simply exit after passing through the fare gates.
Due to the short duration of the journey, passengers are expected to hold on to their own luggage, and there are no racks for storage.
In a first for trains in Singapore and Malaysia, RTS Link trains will feature a hearing induction loop system that allows passengers with hearing aids to hear public announcements on the train.
The move is meant to enhance safety and inclusivity on board.
Other security measures include cameras on the train, and boxing up of the areas below the seats, in order to reduce areas where objects can be hidden.
