Alstom has secured a major contract from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority to upgrade three East West Line (EWL) stations—Tanah Merah, Expo, and Changi Airport—with its state-of-the-art Urbalis communications-based train control (CBTC) system. The contract, valued at several hundred million euros, also includes equipping the extension of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) that will link directly to the future Changi Airport Terminal 5. This infrastructure enhancement will improve connectivity and help realise Singapore’s Land Transport Master Plan 2040 goals.
As the leader of the signalling consortium, Alstom will supply the same Urbalis system currently used on the TEL, ensuring system continuity and operational consistency. Its partner, ST Engineering Urban Solutions Ltd., will provide the Data Communication System (DCS) and Platform Screen Doors (PSD). Once operational, the extension will offer passengers faster and more seamless journeys between key city hubs and the airport.
The TEL extension will reduce travel time between Changi Airport and Marina Bay to about 45 minutes, and between Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay to 40 minutes—significantly shorter than the current 60-minute commute. The 57-kilometre TEL will run from Tanah Merah to Woodlands North, connecting important commercial and residential areas such as Orchard, Maxwell, and Gardens by the Bay, and linking to the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System.
“This contract highlights our ongoing partnership with Singapore and our continued commitment to delivering world-class signalling technology that meets the evolving mobility needs of the nation,” said Yann Maixandeau, Managing Director of Alstom for Singapore and Malaysia. “We are proud to support this next step in building a more efficient, connected, and sustainable rail network.”
Alstom’s CBTC solutions have been deployed on over 190 metro lines across 32 countries, including 67 fully driverless lines. The Urbalis system enhances operational efficiency, reduces energy consumption by up to 30%, and supports high levels of automation—making it suitable for both new rail corridors and existing infrastructure upgrades. This project builds on Alstom’s recent successful delivery of TEL Stage 4, which began service in June 2024, further strengthening the company’s footprint and leadership in Singapore’s transit infrastructure.
