Singapore MRT: 20 years back

I have written many posts on the future of Singapore's transport system, and I think it is about time to write about the past.  Singapore's MRT system is relatively new, and only has a 23-year history.

Back in 1987, Singapore introduced the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), and in 1990, the system was completed.  The system only had three lines, of which the Choa Chu Kang Line and the North Line were connected to form what we know today as the North-South Line.

MRT map 1987-1996

The MRT consisted of 42 stations, connecting the island from the West, North, and East.  The MRTs today still look about the same as they were then.

After good reaction to the new MRT lines, many more lines were built, for example the Woodlands Extension in 1996 and the Changi Airport Extension in 2002.

Since then, all new MRT lines were built underground to save land space and to prevent it from being an eyesore.

New lines like the North East Line and Circle line were planned and built in the years that followed.  The North East Line, completed in 2003, is the world's first fully automatic driverless underground line.  The Circle Line, to be completed in 2011, will be second when completed.

As Singapore's MRT progresses on, it would continually expand.

Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)?

Personal Rapid Transit or PRT is a relatively new concept that few places have installed.  Morgantown, West Virginia, USA is the only city with operational PRT system.  PRT can be seen as a taxi system on tracks.  Each PRT station has its own track, separate from the main track, so the other PRT vehicles can bypass the station, as shown:

PRT has many benefits over other forms of transport:

• Faster (travels non-stop to destination)
• 100% on-demand service
• Environmentally green
• Safe (Computer controlled)
• Unworthy as a terrorist target

As such, there are ten more systems that are in test, under construction, or being proposed.

There is also one city that has plans for a full PRT system throughout the city.  Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is a future city to be completed in 2014.  By 2009, part of the city was already liveable.  The city is planning to build a full PRT system by 2012 which will replace roads in the city.  The following is a rendering of Masdar City:

Though PRT is relatively new, it seens to by a goof option as some cities like Masdar City has adopted the idea and even banned automobiles for PRT.

As Singapore is a highly populated city, PRT would probably be a good option for Singapore.  Perhaps in 2040, PRT would replace roads in Singapore?

Future Singapore MRT?

I recently presented my Geography ACE on Singapore's transport.  According to Newsweek, Singapore has one of the best infrastructures in the world.  As for transport infrastructure, the main form of public transport is buses currently, but the government wants to make the main form of public transport the MRT in 20 years time.  The MRT is not slowed by large crowds unlike buses, and the MRT is much faster than even cars.  As such, Singapore's MRT system is set to be doubled by 2020, and quadruple to 540km in 2030 – that's 130km longer than the London Underground!  This is a speculative Singapore MRT map that I found on the web.