The Singaporean Land Transport Authority has awarded a €90 million contract to Siemens to provide signalling technology to the planned Downtown line 3 (DTL3) extension.

Siemens will supply its Communications-Based Train Control system (CBTC) for fully automated operations in two new stations and one depot. The CBTC has received a Grave of Automation 4 ranking by the International Association of Public Transport, signifying a system that can operate without any human involvement.

The contract also includes supply of platform screen doors for two stations.

Siemens Mobility Division CEO Michael Peter said: “With this project, Singapore’s Downtown line is not only the world’s longest suburban automated metro line, but it is also benefiting from the most advanced CBTC technology.

“This enables the operator to strengthen the capacity and availability of the network, and contributes to improve the passenger experience of up to half a million people commuting every day.”

Expected to be completed in 224, the DTL3 extension will connect the Downtown Line with the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL).

“With this project, Singapore’s Downtown line is not only the world’s longest suburban automated metro line, but it is also benefiting from the most advanced CBTC technology.”

Siemens has already commissioned the first three sections of the automated Downtown Line (DTL) in Singapore.

DTL 1, the first section of the line spanning more than 4km, opened in December 2013. It comprises six stations between Chinatown and Bugis.

The 16.6km long second section DTL 2 opened in December 2015 and comprises 12 stations connecting Bukit Panjang and Rochor.

With 16 stations, the 21km long DTL3 was commissioned in October last year. It features three interchange stations in MacPherson, Tampines and Expo.

Overall, the automated Downtown Line has a total length of 42km with 34 stations and transports up to 500,000 passengers per day.