Singapore, October 2026 – Cai Changjun, a former deputy general manager of Guangzhou Metro, is sharing his experience with Singapore’s rail sector through advisory roles at SMRT and the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Having joined Guangzhou Metro in 1995, before its first line opened in 1997, Cai was involved in the network’s development into one of the world's largest metro systems, with 19 lines spanning 780km and nearly 400 stations.
Cai currently serves on SMRT’s Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) and is one of five members of LTA’s Independent Advisory Panel. His advisory work covers technical improvements, rail operations, infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. He also brings experience from both asset ownership and network operations, as Guangzhou Metro manages its infrastructure and operates its services.
One area of focus is Suiteng OS, a railway operating system first deployed by Guangzhou Metro in September 2019. Developed following challenges involving proprietary railway diagnostic equipment, the system allows software to be updated independently of hardware. It is now being adapted and tested in Singapore through the SMRT-Guangzhou Metro Rail Innovation Laboratory, launched at Bishan Depot in June 2026.
Cai has also shared automation technologies introduced in Guangzhou, including multi-camera systems that inspect trains for defects, robots that examine train undercarriages and rail-mounted inspection equipment that surveys tunnel walls. These technologies are intended to reduce reliance on manual inspections while improving the efficiency and consistency of railway maintenance. Cai holds 36 invention patents, including technologies incorporated into Suiteng OS.
The collaboration reflects a two-way exchange of expertise between Singapore and China. Cai first visited Singapore in the early 2000s to study SMRT’s rail operations, particularly the Bukit Panjang LRT system. His current role demonstrates how international cooperation can help operators apply lessons from different networks, strengthen engineering capabilities and prepare ageing infrastructure for future upgrades.
Source: The Straits Times
Guangzhou Metro Veteran Brings Rail Expertise To Singapore
Journalism & Media
Share this story
Singapore is drawing on international rail experience as it works to strengthen the reliability and performance of its expanding metro network. A veteran who helped oversee the growth of Guangzhou Metro is now contributing his operational and engineering expertise to Singapore’s rail sector, highlighting the value of cross-border knowledge exchange in managing complex urban transport systems.
