The C801 trains have been operating since the BPLRT's opening in 1999. If such plans go through, it will be the first major overhaul for the C801 train cars. The refurbished train cars will have upgraded air-conditioning and air compressors together with an improved braking system plus installing Close Circuit Televisions under each train car to monitor under the train cars. However, plans of replacing the train cars are not ruled out by LTA.
Defects in the C801 rolling stock
Minor defects in the C801 rolling stock was made public in a press report made by operator SMRT Trains managing director Lee Ling Wee in 2016, when it was admitted that C801 trains had suffered from cracks. This was after the cracks from the rolling stock C151A trains, which runs on East West line and North South line, were made public on 5 July 2016 which caused a public uproar. According to the press report, the cracks was discovered "during a routine assessment by Bombardier in 2015" and the issue affected all 19 C801 trains. It was stated that 12 of them have fixed locally using wielding methods with remaining 7 awaiting for repairs as of time the report was published, having suffered the issue to a lesser degree. Lee did not reveal what caused the cracks, but a spokesman for Land Transport Authority told Straits Times that the issue is caused by "normal wear and tear" and added that they are not 'safety-critical'. All cracks in C801 trains were found on the "lateral beams of the under-frame" and they measured "no more than 12 cm".
C801 trains have rectangular headlights compared to the C801A trains, which have circular headlights.
Windscreen and windows are tinted green, but spoilt windows are replaced with a different tint.
The trains used to bear two turquoise stripes around the train, now replaced by a single red stripe.
Interior design
The C801 trains are similar to the C801A trains in terms of interior looks, other than the color scheme used.
The seats colour of the trains are green, 4 seats on both ends each and 8 seats in the middle.
LCD screens are installed initially, they were later taken out of the train. LED screens above the doors display the current and next station information.
During two car operations, there is no gangway to change from one car to another. The only way is to alight from one car and board the other.
Passengers can seat on either ends of the car, accommodating more seating space.
Livery
Formerly, the livery was under Blue until 10 May 2004 after the merger of SMRT Corporation. It uses two stripes of turquoise color on green background. In 2005, it changes to a single red stripe.
Experimental programmes
Some train cars were installed with solar windscreen on one of the car ends. This was to minimize heat and light from entering the trains, which were one of the main causes for warmer trains. The experimental windscreens were successful as they were subsequently rolled out to other train cars.
The trains used to had 2 LCD displays on each train cars for advertising purposes, but was deactivated around 2009/2010 and subsequently removed.
Car 116 was installed with the new bright LEDs used on C801A trains, replacing the existing yellow headlights. As of September 2018, all the train cars have been replaced with brand new LED headlights.
Car 102 and 119 were installed with CCTVs under the carriage of the train.
Train formation
The configuration of a C801 in revenue service is M. The train cars can be coupled up to 2 cars during service. The car numbers of the trains range from 101 to 119. Individual cars are assigned a three-digit serial number by the rail operator SMRT Trains. A trainset consists of one motor car. For example, set 101 is car 101.
The first digit is always a 1.
The second and third digit identifies the car number.
