North East Line to start later at 8am on 4 Sundays for works to integrate upcoming Punggol Coast station

Artist’s Impression of Punggol Coast station platform for the North East Line. (Image: LTA)

Commuters who frequent the North East Line (NEL) are to note that the MRT line will start train services later at 8am on four Sundays in June and July 2024, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and rail operator SBS Transit said in a joint statement on Wednesday (Jun 12).

The late opening is necessary to facilitate rail expansion works to integrate the upcoming Punggol Coast (NE18) station with the existing NEL train network.

Temporary Service Adjustments on North East Line for integration of new Punggol Coast station

North East Line late opening at 8am to facilitate rail expansion works

Artist’s Impression of Punggol Coast station entrance for the North East Line. (Image: LTA)

The joint statement released on Wednesday said LTA and SBS Transit will carry out a series of works to integrate the new Punggol Coast (NE18) station with the existing NEL train network.

NEL train services will start later at 8am on four consecutive Sundays: Jun 30, Jul 7, 14, and 21.

LTA and SBS Transit said it will provide alternative travel options for affected commuters on the four Sundays to minimise the impact of the temporary service adjustments.

Temporary service adjustments, such as early closures or late openings, are not uncommon for rail expansion works; integration works for the upcoming Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) stage 4 with the existing TEL train network occurred from November 2023 to January 2024.

SEE ALSO: 7 New MRT Stations for Thomson-East Coast Line 4 Opening on Jun 23, 2024 »

The Punggol Coast (NE18) station is slated to begin passenger service by the end of 2024, enhancing rail connectivity and providing greater convenience for commuters in the northeast region.

Alternative travel options for affected North East Line commuters

Artist’s Impression of Punggol Coast station concourse for the North East Line. (Image: LTA)

LTA and SBS Transit will provide two shuttle bus services — operating with the same fare structure as taking the NEL — for the affected commuters on the four Sundays to minimise the impact of temporary service adjustments.

Shuttle Bus Service 21 will operate between Punggol (NE17) and Serangoon (NE13) stations, and Shuttle Bus Service 22 will operate between Serangoon (NE13) and HarbourFront (NE1) stations.

Both shuttle bus services will operate at intervals of three to eight minutes, stopping at every NEL train station on both north and southbound directions along their respective route.

LTA and SBS Transit said commuters may also continue their journey by using existing bus services to transfer to other MRT lines, such as the Circle Line (CCL).

It also advises commuters to plan their journeys in advance, including catering for additional travel time when travelling between the affected MRT stations using the shuttle bus services, and to check for travel updates before starting their trips.

Informational posters on the shuttle bus services and alternative travel routes will be displayed at the affected MRT stations. In addition, MRT station staff will also be deployed to provide assistance during the service adjustment period.

“The late opening hours will also be played regularly over the public address system at all stations,” said the joint statement.

Check Out Other Recent Posts

Preview the Thomson-East Coast Line 4 on Jun 21, 2024; free MRT rides from Tanjong Rhu to Bayshore

Works on Turf City MRT station of the Cross Island Line to start in Q3 2024

7th-gen Alstom Movia R151 train debuts passenger service on the North-South Line on May 25, 2024

Related Links
North East Line – SGTrains

External Links
Temporary Service Adjustments on North East Line for Integration of New Punggol Coast Station – LTA
Temporary Service Adjustments on North East Line for Integration of New Punggol Coast Station – SBS Transit

Images: LTA.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.