Service Adjustments on Circle Line, Thomson-East Coast Line for Rail Expansion Works

Circle Line & Thomson-East Coast Line To Adjust Train Services For Rail Expansion Works. (Images: SGTrains, LTA)

Commuters travelling on the Circle Line (CCL) and Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) are to take note of temporary adjustments to train service for rail expansion works, SMRT said in a joint statement with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Thursday (Oct 5).

These service adjustments between October 2023 and May 2024 are necessary for LTA and SMRT to undertake integration and commissioning works for the 7-station TEL stage 4 (TEL4) and the 3-station CCL stage 6 (CCL6) to become seamlessly part of the existing network.

Service Adjustments on Circle Line and Thomson-East Coast Line to Facilitate Rail Expansion Works

Single Platform Service on Circle Line (Jan–Apr 2024)

Service adjustments on the Circle Line from Jan 20 to May 24, 2024. (Image: SGTrains Graphics)

UPDATE: LTA announced on Wednesday (Apr 3) that train services on the CCL will resume normal operations on Saturday, Apr 6, more than a month ahead of its originally planned schedule of completion on May 24, 2024.

Single-platform operations will be used – from Jan 20 to Apr 6, 2024 – between Labrador Park and HarbourFront CCL stations due to the closure of a platform at Telok Blangah and HarbourFront stations for track works to connect HarbourFront station and the CCL6.

During single-platform operations, one shuttle train will be operating between Labrador Park and HarbourFront CCL stations at 10-minute intervals.

The joint statement also noted that due to the single-platform operations, CCL trains will turn around at Kent Ridge and Labrador Park stations instead of HarbourFront station to ensure that peak-hour train intervals between Paya Lebar and Kent Ridge stations are preserved.

Commuters can expect a 5-minute headway at stations between Kent Ridge and Labrador Park stations during that period.

In addition, commuters can alternatively utilise the 11 public bus services – 10, 30, 57, 61, 93, 97, 100, 143, 166, 188 & 963 – during the period of single-platform operations.

Express Shuttle Bus Service E31 will be provided during weekday peak hours that ply HarbourFront, Telok Blangah, Labrador Park and Kent Ridge stations at 10 to 15-minute intervals.

MORE DETAILS: Express Shuttle Bus Service E31 on Weekday Peak Hours »

Commuters travelling to/from Haw Par Villa and Pasir Panjang stations can also travel on existing bus services – 10, 30, 143 or 188 – which serve the stretch of stations from Haw Par Villa to HarbourFront stations.

Early Closure, Late Opening of Thomson-East Coast Line (Nov 2023 – Jan 2024)

Marine Parade MRT station for the Thomson-East Coast Line 4. (Image: LTA)

From Nov 3, 2023, to Jan 28, 2024, train services on the TEL will start later at 8:00am on Saturdays & Sundays and end earlier at 11:30pm on Fridays & Saturdays, except on Deepavali and its eve on Nov 11 and Nov 12, 2023.

These service adjustments are necessary to facilitate the “rigorous integrated testing of systems in TEL stages 1-4, to prepare for the opening of TEL stage 4 for passenger service next year”.

LTA and SMRT will provide two shuttle bus services for commuters affected by the late opening – plying between Woodlands North and Caldecott stations and between Caldecott and Outram Park stations – at 5 to 10-minute intervals.

No shuttle bus services are provided for the early closures at 11:30pm.

RELATED: Sneak Peek of Thomson-East Coast Line 4 – Seven MRT Stations Opening in 2024 »

Early Closure of Circle Line (Oct–Nov 2023)

Impression of the Alstom Metropolis C851E (CCL) train with an orange livery for the Circle Line. (Image: SGTrains)

Train service operating hours on the CCL will end at 10:00pm over four Sundays – Oct 15, 22, 29 and Nov 5 – to facilitate the testing of a new Automatic Train Supervision System (ATSS).

The ATSS is an essential component of the CCL signalling system as it regulates the safe movement of all driverless trains throughout the MRT line.

With the new ATSS up and running, it will improve CCL train services by enabling the operations of the 23 new Alstom Metropolis C851E trains, three new CCL6 stations and the expanded Kim Chuan Depot (KCD) when CCL6 begins operations.

RELATED: New 3rd Generation MRT Train for the Circle Line Arrives in Singapore »

TEL4 and CCL6 to commence passenger service in 2024 and 2026

“Commuters are advised to plan their journeys in advance.”

“Station staff will also be deployed to render assistance at affected stations during the service adjustment period,” the joint statement said.

LTA and SMRT thank commuters for “bearing with the inconvenience during the service adjustment period” as these works will “bring us closer to completing Stage 4 of the TEL and Stage 6 of the CCL, slated to commence passenger service in 2024 and 2026 respectively”.

“Together, these expansions will provide greater convenience for commuters and improve the resilience of our MRT network.”

Check Out Other Related Posts

New 3rd Generation MRT Train for the Circle Line Arrives in Singapore

Sneak Peek of Thomson-East Coast Line 4 – Seven MRT Stations Opening in 2024

Thomson-East Coast Line 3 Begins Passenger Service, Increases Connectivity with 11 New MRT Stations

Related Links
Circle Line – SGTrains
Thomson-East Coast Line – SGTrains

External Links
Joint News Release – Service Adjustments on Circle Line and Thomson-East Coast Line to Facilitate Rail Expansion Works – LTA [Accessed 05 Oct 2023]
Service Adjustments on Circle Line and Thomson-East Coast Line to Facilitate Rail Expansion Works – SMRT [Accessed 05 Oct 2023]

Images: SGTrains, LTA, SGTrains Graphics.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.
Last updated on 05 Apr 2024.