Alstom Metropolis C751C

The Alstom Metropolis C751C is the second generation of communication-based train control (CBTC) electric multiple unit rolling stock in operation on the North East line of Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. Eighteen 6-car train sets were manufactured by Shanghai Alstom Transport Co Ltd (joint venture of Alstom and Shanghai Electric),^[1] Deliveries began in July 2014, and all trainsets were delivered by 2015.^[5][6][7]

Alstom Metropolis C751C
An Alstom Metropolis C751C train at Sengkang Depot
Interior of C751C train
Stock type	Electric multiple unit
In service	1 October 2015; 9 years ago (2015-10-01) – Present
Manufacturer	Shanghai Alstom Transport (Alstom and Shanghai Electric)[1]
Built at	Shanghai, China
Family name	Metropolis
Constructed	2014 – 2016
Entered service	1 October 2015; 9 years ago (2015-10-01)
Number built	108 Vehicles (18 Sets)
Number in service	108 Vehicles (18 Sets)
Formation	6 per trainset DT–Mp–Mi+Mi–Mp–DT
Fleet numbers	7051/7052 – 7085/7086
Capacity	1920 passengers (320 per car)
Operators	SBS Transit Ltd (ComfortDelGro Corporation)
Depots	Sengkang
Lines served	NEL  North East line
Specifications
Car body construction	Welded Aluminium
Train length	138.5 m (454 ft 4+3⁄4 in)
Car length	23.65 m (77 ft 7+1⁄8 in) (DT) 22.8 m (74 ft 9+5⁄8 in) (Mp/Mi)
Width	3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
Height	3.7 m (12 ft 1+5⁄8 in)
Floor height	1,100 mm (43+1⁄4 in)
Doors	1,450 mm (57+1⁄8 in), 8 per car, 4 per side
Maximum speed	100 km/h (62 mph) (design) 90 km/h (56 mph) (service)
Traction system	Alstom OPTONIX IGBT–VVVF[2]
Traction motors	16 × 150 kW (200 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output	2.4 MW (3,200 hp)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
UIC classification	2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′
Braking system(s)	Regenerative and pneumatic
Safety system(s)	Alstom URBALIS 300 moving block CBTC ATC under ATO GoA 4 (UTO), with subsystems of ATP, Iconis ATS and Smartlock CBI[3][4]
Coupling system	Scharfenberg
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Tender

The tender for trains under the contract 751C was opened together with another contract C830C for an additional 24 Circle line trains which was closed on 18 July 2011 with 4 bids. The Land Transport Authority has shortlisted all of them and the tender results was published on 1 February 2012.^[8][9]

S/N	Name of tenderer	Amount ($S)[9]
1	Alstom Transport S.A. / Alstom Transport (S) Pte Ltd Consortium	234,900,000.00[10] (Base Tender 2 - Offered in mixed currencies, and hence the differences of amount shown in the tender document.[8])
2	Hyundai Rotem Company	284,954,400.00 (Base Tender 2)
3	Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A.	234,443,494.80 (Base Tender 2)
4	CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive (formerly CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co., Ltd.) / Siemens Pte Ltd, Singapore Consortium	245,076,923.08 (Base Tender 2)

Design

A C751C train at Potong Pasir station.

Externally, the C751C shares similarities with its predecessor, the C751A in terms of shape, color and appearance, but has an additional window on the detrainment doors located at the ends of the train, allowing passengers to see the tracks ahead. The detrainment system on a C751C is also different than that of a C751A. The interior of the C751C is similar to the C751A but has redesigned gangways identical to those on the C830C. The seat colours are similar to the C951(A) and C801A, having a purplish tint. Priority seats can be identified by their red coloration. The C751C has a dynamic route-map system, similar to the C830C and C951. It also has a louder and higher-pitched traction motor than its predecessor, and is equipped with a new type of pantograph.

The C751C trains utilise overhead line gearboxes and they do not have any LCD Displays. Compared to the C751A trains, the interior roof is white instead of beige.

Features

The dynamic route map display (DRMD) as used on the C751C

It features a Visual Passenger Information System, letting commuters know what the current and next station is, as well as green blinking lights which indicate the side of which the train doors will open when the train reaches the station.

There is also a dynamic in-train route display, which provides commuters with their route information throughout their journey, and also indicates which side the doors will open. DRMD panels are installed in these trains.

They were slightly modified in 2023 to include Punggol Coast on the North East line extension, as well as the Thomson-East Coast Line interchange at Outram Park MRT Station. The new DRMD displays are identical to those found on the Alstom Metropolis C851E.

At most stations on the North East line, the train doors will open on the right side, but at the terminal stations like HarbourFront and Punggol Coast, some trains may open their doors on the left.

Driverless operation

The C751C is fully driverless under normal circumstances, using CBTC which do not require traditional "fixed-block track circuits" for determining train position. Instead, they rely on "continuous two-way digital communication" between each controlled train and a wayside control center, which may control an area of a railroad line, a complete line, or a group of lines. Recent studies consistently show that CBTC systems reduce life-cycle costs for the overall rail property and enhance operational flexibility and control.^[11]

Train formation

The coupling configuration of a C751C in revenue service is DT–Mp–Mi+Mi–Mp–DT.

Cars of C751C

Car Type	Driver Cab	Motor	Pantograph	Car Length		Wheelchair Bay
				m	ft in
DM	✓	✗	✗	23.65	77 ft 7.1 in	✗
Mp	✗	✓	✓	22.8	74 ft 9.6 in	✗
Mi	✗	✓	✗	22.8	74 ft 9.6 in	✓

The car numbers of the trains range from 7x051 to 7x086, where x depends on the carriage type. Individual cars are assigned a five-digit serial number by the rail operator SBS Transit. A complete six-car trainset consists of an identical twin set of one driving trailer (DT) and two motor cars (Mi & Mp) permanently coupled together. For example, set 7061/7062 consists of carriages 71061, 72061, 73061, 73062, 72062 and 71062.

• The first digit is always a 7.
• The second digit identifies the car number, where the first car has a 1, the second has a 2 & the third has a 3.
• The third digit is always a 0.
• The fourth digit and fifth digit are the train identification numbers. A full-length train of 6 cars have 2 different identification numbers. For example, 7051/7052 (normal coupling) or 7051/7062 (cross coupling).
• Alstom built sets 7051/7052 – 7085/7086.