SINGAPORE, October 2025 — SMRT has significantly upgraded its rail-maintenance capabilities with the acquisition of a new flash-butt welding machine. This investment aims to enhance the speed and durability of rail-replacement operations, a key focus after recent service disruptions impacting commuters.

The S$1 million machine, acquired in February, can fuse rail ends in approximately 15 minutes a substantial improvement over the 40 minutes typically needed for manual welding. It achieves this by passing an electrical current directly through the rail ends, creating stronger, more durable welds without the use of filler materials.

This advanced technology is projected to increase SMRT’s rail-replacement efficiency by about 20%. Furthermore, the machine streamlines operations by requiring only two technicians to operate, compared to the four typically needed for manual welding processes.

Currently, the machine is used nightly at the Ulu Pandan Depot to weld dozens of rail segments. By the first quarter of 2026, SMRT plans to deploy it directly onto the tracks of the North-South and East-West Lines (Singapore’s oldest and busiest lines) to perform on-site welding during engineering hours.

This strategic adoption of flash-butt welding technology represents a significant step in modernising SMRT’s infrastructure, promising improved track reliability and a more robust public-transport system for the region.

Source: The Straits Times