First Foreign Entity to Co-Operate MRT Service in Singapore, Partnership Strengthens Global Transport Collaboration
A joint venture (JV) between SBS Transit and French transport operator RATP Dev has been awarded the tender to operate and maintain Singapore’s Jurong Region Line (JRL), marking a significant milestone in the country’s transportation landscape. This collaboration is especially notable as it is the first time a foreign entity will jointly operate an MRT service in Singapore.
On Nov 28, 2024, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) granted the JV a nine-year license, with an option for a two-year extension. The service fee quoted by the JV for the 11-year period is approximately S$750 million, around 8% lower than the bid made by competitor SMRT Trains, which also contended for the contract.
The JV comprises SBS Transit Rail and RATP Dev Asia Pacific, the latter being a subsidiary of RATP Dev, the international arm of the French state-owned transport group RATP. RATP Dev, the third-largest urban transport operator globally, operates metro systems in cities including Paris, Sydney, Doha, and Riyadh. It is also known for launching several new rail lines, such as the Paris Metro Line 14 extension for the 2024 Olympic Games.
With this deal, RATP Dev becomes the first foreign operator to co-manage an MRT line in Singapore, further expanding its footprint in Asia after expressing interest in Singapore’s metro and bus services in previous years.
The Jurong Region Line, Singapore’s seventh MRT line, will span 24 stations and serve key activity hubs in the western part of the island, strengthening the city’s transport network.
