The nine-year contract has a two-year extension option

SBS Transit, in partnership with French public transport operator RATP Dev, has secured the tender to operate and maintain the Jurong Region Line (JRL) for nine years, with an option to extend for another two years. The winning bid was $750 million, 8% lower than the competing bid put in by SMRT.

The award of the tender by the Land Transport Authority comes one year after SBS Transit’s parent company, ComfortDelGro C52, and RATP Dev, jointly won the contract to operate the South sector of Line 15 of the Grand Paris Express. 

According to the group, the license is expected to increase SBS Transit’s rail network in Singapore from 83 km to 107 km. 

The JRL is set to span 24 stations and is expected to open for passenger service in three stages from 2027. 

Singapore One Rail (SOR), the partnership between SBS Transit and RATP Dev, has committed to leveraging advanced technologies, such as video and data analytics, to deliver safe and sustainable train services, adds SBS Transit. 

Additionally, the group says that SOR is also expected to implement proven productivity initiatives to enhance operational efficiency. 

Jeffrey Sim, group CEO of SBS Transit, says: “Together with our French partner, RATP Dev, we are thrilled to receive this vote of confidence from the LTA, recognising the quality and competitiveness of our proposal. It has been a challenging journey to reach this point and we are glad that our hard work and persistence have paid off.”

Henri Pottier, CEO of RATP Dev in Apac, adds: “Our combined expertise will contribute to a more efficient, sustainable, and future-proof public transport system, ensuring JRL meets the highest standards of reliability, innovation, and integration with the broader transport network in Singapore.”

Shares in SBS Transit closed 2 cents higher, or up 0.82%, at $2.46 on Nov 28.