Press releases

Dec 19, 2008

French Expertise For Land Transport Research

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) signed a Memorandum of Collaboration today with French firms, Steria Asia Pte Ltd and Thales Security Asia Pte Ltd, in support of the Singapore Urban Transport Solution (STARS) initiative.

First launched in November 2008, STARS is an initiative which aims to promote Singapore as a centre for research for world class urban transport solution, promote collaboration with leading research and industry partners and build Singapore's capabilities in the area of urban transport solutions.

The areas of research that Steria and LTA will jointly explore include the personalisation of public transport information via mobile platforms, integrated real time bus trip guidance system and advanced road monitoring and management. Thales and LTA will explore the development of traffic management models using real time traffic information.

The signing of the MOC with Steria and Thales brings the number of STARS partners to eight, including the Economic Development Board, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore and LTA (Please refer to the attached fact sheet on STARS).

Besides the signing of the STARS MOC, two Downtown Line contracts were signed with French companies, Soletanche Bachy - Koh Brothers Joint Venture and Constructions Industrielles De La Méditerranée (CNIM). The contract awarded to Soletanche Bachy - Koh Brothers Joint Venture is for the construction and completion of the Downtown Line 1 Bugis Station and its associated tunnels, while the contract awarded to CNIM is for the design, manufacturing, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of 299 escalators for all DTL stations (Please refer to the attached fact sheet on DTL). The contracts were awarded in November 2008.

"The signing of the MOC and contracts with French compmpaninies signifies the deep and close ties that Singapore has with France. France's extensive experience in rail development and technology will benefit Singapore as it expands its rail network. In addition, through the collaboration on the STARS MOC, we also hoped to tap into French innovation for our land transport development in general," said Mr Yam Ah Mee, Chief Executive, LTA.

"With an efficient Paris' MRT network of 16 lines and more than four million people travelling per day, France is a strong leader in equipment and services as well as transport infrastructure. I am pleased that the four French companies, Steria, CNIM, Soletanche Bachy and Thales, will take part in LTA's impressive projects" said Mr Pierre Buhler, Ambassador of France to Singapore.

LTA was represented by Deputy Chief Executive, Mr Lim Bok Ngam while the representatives from France included Mr Jacky Elharrar, Chief Executive, Steria, Mr Patrick Oszczeda, Thales Corporate Country Director and Thales Security Asia Director, Mr. Dominique Delahaye, Member of the Executive Board, Director of Administration and Finance, CNIM and Mr Rémi Dorval, Chief Executive Officer, Soletanche Bachy. The signing ceremony held at LTA's office at Hampshire Road was witnessed by Mr Pierre Buhler, Ambassador of France to Singapore and Mr Michael Lim, Chairman, LTA

Fact sheet: