Upgraded trains on the North East Line
North-Easties are seriously winning when it comes to public transport perks. From free off-peak MRT rides to Punggol’s autonomous shuttles, there’s been no shortage of options making daily commutes better. And now, there’s one more reason to consider moving to houses along the purple line: all first-generation trains on the North East Line (NEL) have officially been given an upgrade.
But if you’ve been too busy squeezing through the peak hour crowds to notice, here’s the lowdown of what’s new.
Why did the trains on the North East Line get upgraded?
What the interiors of the first-generation trains used to look like, before the upgrades.
Image credit: @17122021 via Reddit
These first-generation NEL trains have been in service since June 2003, which means they’ve been serving commuters for over 2 decades since the line first opened. Considering the NEL is also one of Singapore’s busiest MRT lines – so packed that free off-peak rides were introduced to help ease congestion – it was about time these veteran trains got a glow-up.
The upgrade, officially known as “mid-life upgrading works”, kicked off in 2019, and the first refreshed trains returned to passenger service on 28th February 2022. So chances are, you’ve probably already hopped on one without even realising.
Upgraded first-generation train.
Image credit: SBS Transit Ltd via Facebook
Works were carried out progressively across the fleet, and all 25 first-generation trains on the NEL have officially completed their makeover, with the final train returning to passenger service in March 2026.
What are the upgrades to look out for?
Refreshed train interiors
Image credit: @17122021 via Reddit
The most obvious differences are inside the train cabin, featuring brighter LED lighting, as well as new panels, flooring, seating, and handrails.
One detail eagle-eyed commuters might spot right away is the updated seats that are now decked out in 2 shades of purple, ditching the old orange accents altogether. Honestly, it’s a more fitting look for our purple line.
Improved air-conditioning system
Screenshot from: SBS Transit Ltd via Facebook
We all know the struggle of rushing for the train, only to end up packed like sardines in a stuffy cabin during peak hour. Thankfully, the upgraded trains now come with an improved air-conditioning and ventilation system, which provides better airflow, all while being energy-efficient.
LCD screens showing real-time information
Image credit: SBS Transit Ltd via Facebook
If you’re not the type to spend your MRT ride doomscrolling, you’ve probably already noticed the new digital display screens onboard. They provide commuters with real-time travel info, like the next station and which side the doors open on.
Upgrades that improve train reliability
Image credit: SBS Transit Ltd via Facebook
MRT breakdowns have become a frustratingly familiar part of the commuting experience for many of us – we’ve either been stuck in a train before or had to rush to work or school after an unexpected breakdown. The good news is that the upgraded first-generation NEL trains come with a bunch of improvements aimed at making rides more reliable.
For instance, the driver console cover has been redesigned with an access panel, allowing staff to check and respond to train faults more quickly. The trains have also been fitted with a Condition Monitoring System, which tracks train performance in real time and flags potential issues early so they can be sorted out before becoming bigger problems.
We’re just scratching the surface of the technical upgrades – we don’t want to bore you with all the engineering details. But hopefully, these improvements will mean fewer disruptions to our daily commute.
Keep your eyes peeled for these upgraded first-generation North East Line trains
Second-generation train on the NEL.
Image credit: @17122021 via Reddit
BTW, the second-generation trains are still plying the NEL tracks, so don’t confuse them with the upgraded ones. You’ll be able to differentiate them by looking at the colour of the reserved seats – red for second-generation trains and light purple for the refreshed first-generation trains.
The next time you board the train, look up and try to spot the changes, and appreciate the upgrades that will bring us a more comfortable train ride experience.
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Cover image adapted from: @17122021 via Reddit, SBS Transit Ltd via Facebook