Bombardier Innovia APM 300R C801B. The Alstom Innovia APM 300R C801B (APM 300R) is the third generation of automated people mover (APM) trains built by CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Alstom Transportation Systems (joint venture of Alstom (Formerly Bombardier Transportation) and CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Company) for the Bukit Panjang LRT line (BPLRT), Singapore, to replace the existing C801 trains built in 1999. The C801B trains are also the first of their kind to reuse the retro AC third rail shoes, in contrast with the newer Light Rail lines around the world that utilise the APM 300 system built with AC third rail instead of DC.

Overview
As the aging first generation trains drew near to its deadline service of 20 years, the LTA decided that the first generation trains were due for replacement instead of a refurbishment. This is in part of their renewal programme for the next 10 years for the BPLRT, including rail replacement and signalling upgrades. The LTA then awarded the project to Bombardier Transportation (the manufacturer of the BPLRT train cars at the time, now merged with Alstom) to procure 19 replacement train cars for the BPLRT. However, instead of using back the same technology for the train line, the LTA opted for Bombardier's latest technology on the Innovia system - Innovia APM 300. It is said to be much more reliable in many ways, including a much more robust braking and propulsion system, a higher reliability air conditioning system and many more. But with the BPLRT line utilising the same third rail technology as the APM 100, modification works on the APM 300 cars were done to work with AC third rail power supply. Hence, APM 300R was created, specifically for such conditions. The new trains were revealed on 3 December 2019, spotting a sleeker design and enhanced features.

Unlike the ECX-100 C801 and APM 100 C801A, the APM 300R C801B will feature more efficient MITrac AC traction motors and Variable Frequency inverters, controlled by transistors instead of thyristors.

Exterior design
The APM 300R C801B vehicles are painted black and white with a grey, turquoise and white hexagon shape patterns design. The SMRT Trains logo is pasted on the front and rear whilst the Land Transport Authority logo is pasted on the sides. Triangular LED lamps, comparable to the Bombardier Innovia APM 100 C801A vehicles which have circular LED headlights and taillights, are present.

Revenue service
The first two vehicles consisting of 2 cars each, designated 135 & 136, entered passenger service on 1 August 2024. As of 31 December 2024, 6 trains in service, 2 trains (Cars 133 & 134) are being sent back to Wuhu, China for modification works and the remaining 8 trains (Cars 144 - 151) is still not yet delivered. Whilst the vehicle set 141, 142 and 143 delivered from China to Singapore.

Pre-operational history
The first two train cars, designated 133 & 134, were lifted down from the depot to be sent back to the manufacturing plant in China for modification works. The Land Transport Authority later confirms that the two trains were prototypes used to undertake rigorous testing on the BPLRT network to anticipate potential issues under local operating conditions. LTA also confirmed that all trains delivered after came with the modifications pre-applied during manufacturing, and that two of said trains have already arrived and are undergoing local testing.

Train formation

The configuration of a C801B in revenue service is single-car. With both the motors and the third rail current collectors, the train cars can be coupled to a two-car formation during service.

The car numbers of the trains range from 133 to 151. Individual cars are assigned a three-digit serial number by the rail operator SMRT Trains. A trainset consists of one motor car, e.g. set 133 is car 133. The first digit is always a 1, while the last two digits identify the car number.
 Bombardier Transportation (now Alstom) and CRRC Nanjing Puzhen built sets 133 – 151.

References

Bombardier Transportation people movers
Innovia people movers
Bombardier Transportation multiple units
Light Rail Transit (Singapore) rolling stock