Bombardier Innovia APM 100 C801
| Industry | Rail transport manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Fate | Acquired by Bombardier Transportation |
| Successor | Bombardier Transportation (now Alstom) |
| Products | Automated people mover trains (Innovia APM 100 C801) |
The Bombardier Innovia APM 100 C801 (initially designated ECX-100) represents the inaugural generation of automated people mover (APM) trains developed by Adtranz—later acquired by Bombardier Transportation and currently under Alstom—specifically for Singapore's Bukit Panjang LRT line.
Starting from August 2024, this train series has been gradually phased out in favor of the more advanced Bombardier Innovia APM 300R C801B units, with the complete replacement anticipated by September 2025.
Operational history
Since the Bukit Panjang LRT commenced operations, the C801 trains have been in service. The initial train was delivered on 21 January 1999, showcasing cerulean blue carriages accented by two turquoise stripes. In December 2004, a refurbishment program updated the fleet by substituting the original "Adtranz ECX-100" system with the "Bombardier Innovia APM 100" platform, alongside repainting the cars to feature a single red stripe on their cerulean blue bodies. Early versions included LCD advertising screens, which were removed in 2009 due to limited utilization. Presently, the Visual Passenger Information System (VPIS) provides details on the current and upcoming stations. The windows and windscreens are coated with green tinting; any damaged panes exhibit a distinct tint variation. The C801 units are equipped with rectangular incandescent headlights and taillights.
No further refurbishment initiatives are planned for the Bombardier Innovia APM 100 C801 trains as they approach the end of their operational lifespan and will be replaced accordingly.
Certain cars were experimentally fitted with solar-tinted windscreens on one end to lessen heat and light penetration, enhancing passenger comfort—a modification that was subsequently expanded across additional vehicles.
Car number 116 received an upgrade featuring bright LED headlights identical to those on C801A models, replacing the original yellow incandescent lamps. Currently, all but six cars have adopted LED headlights. Due to the design of closed-end carriages, passengers must wait for trains to halt and doors to open to move between cars during two-car configurations. Seating arrangements are uniform, consisting of teal-colored seats—four located at each end and eight centrally positioned—reflecting the original LRT color scheme before transitioning to grey in 2003. Unlike the circular LED headlights found on C801A trains, the C801 fleet retains their original rectangular incandescent lighting.
Defects in the C801 rolling stock
In 2016, Lee Ling Wee, managing director of SMRT Trains, revealed minor structural issues identified in the C801 fleet during a routine Bombardier inspection conducted in 2015. Cracks were detected across all 19 trains; twelve units underwent local repairs through welding, while seven awaited maintenance due to less severe damage. These fissures appeared on lateral beams beneath the underframe, with surface areas not exceeding 12 cm².
The Land Transport Authority classified these cracks as typical wear and tear and confirmed they posed no safety risks. This announcement followed similar crack findings earlier that year affecting Kawasaki Heavy Industries & CSR Qingdao Sifang C151A trains operating on other MRT lines.
Retirement
On 7 March 2018, a contract valued at $344 million was awarded by the Land Transport Authority to Bombardier (Singapore) for the comprehensive renewal of the Bukit Panjang LRT system. This project entailed retiring all 19 C801 trains and substituting them with Bombardier Innovia APM 300R C801B automated people mover vehicles. The first C801 unit (Car 101) was decommissioned and sent for local dismantling at Soon Kim Recycling Pte Ltd on 26 November 2023. By 30 July 2025, fifteen trains had been scrapped, leaving only four still operational.
Livery
Train formation
The C801 functions as a single-unit vehicle equipped with motors and third rail current collectors, enabling the connection of up to two units during operation. Each train car is numbered from 101 to 119 and is assigned a three-digit identification code by SMRT Trains, where the initial digit is consistently 1, followed by the specific car number. The series from 101 to 119 was manufactured by Adtranz.