Thomson-East Coast Line 4 begins passenger service; 7 new MRT stations from Tanjong Rhu to Bayshore

The fourth stage of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) began passenger service on Sunday (Jun 23) morning, providing commuters with new access to areas in eastern Singapore that were previously not connected to the rail network.

TEL stage 4 (TEL4) comprises seven new MRT stations: Tanjong Rhu (TE23), Katong Park (TE24), Tanjong Katong (TE25), Marine Parade (TE26), Marine Terrace (TE27), Siglap (TE28), and Bayshore (TE29).

TEL Stage 4 opens for passenger service on Jun 23, 2024

TEL4 Opening Ceremony on Jun 21, 2024, at Marine Parade station. (Image: LTA/Facebook)

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke at Marine Parade station during the opening ceremony at the TEL4 Public Preview event, which happened two days earlier on Jun 21, where commuters were given an opportunity to travel for free across the seven new MRT stations.

Mr Wong said TEL4 will bring the east closer to Singaporeans from other parts of the island; for example, it will be easier to get to East Coast Park and enjoy the amenities. With TEL4 opening, “we are one step closer to the completion of the entire TEL.”

The TEL4 opening brings the number of MRT stations from 175 to 182, and the total rail length across the network now spans around 267 kilometres.

“The fifth stage of TEL connecting Bayshore and Sungei Bedok will be completed by 2026. Beyond that, we will build an extension to connect TEL to Changi Airport. This will be completed in the mid-2030s, together with the opening of Terminal 5,” added Mr Wong.

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat trying his hand at the TEL Train Simulator during the TEL4 Public Preview. (Image: Chee Hong Tat/Facebook)

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat was also present at the TEL4 Public Preview, where he tried his hand at driving the TEL Train Simulator, specially designed and put together by SGTrains at the Friend of Land Transport Booth at Marine Parade station.

Mr Chee said in January that authorities were aiming to open the TEL4 in the first half of 2024.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) earlier said commuters can expect travel time savings of up to 50 per cent with TEL — a resident staying in Marine Parade travelling to Shenton Way will only take 20 minutes via TEL compared to the current 40 minutes by bus and train.

With the TEL4 opening, around 235,000 households will be within a 10-minute walk from an existing TEL station. TEL4 also “extends the reach of the rail network, providing commuters along the TEL with better access to work and play options along the East Coast area,” said LTA.

LTA said train service frequencies between Woodlands North and Bayshore stations on the TEL will operate at three minutes during peak hours and six minutes during off-peak hours.

“LTA and SMRT will continue to monitor the train loading and make necessary adjustments based on operational needs,” it added.

TE 23 Tanjong Rhu

Tanjong Rhu (TE23) station of the Thomson-East Coast Line 4. (Image: SGTrains)

TE 24 Katong Park

Katong Park (TE24) station of the Thomson-East Coast Line 4. (Image: SGTrains)

TE 25 Tanjong Katong

Tanjong Katong (TE25) station of the Thomson-East Coast Line 4. (Image: SGTrains)

TE 26 Marine Parade

Marine Parade (TE26) station of the Thomson-East Coast Line 4. (Image: SGTrains)

TE 27 Marine Terrace

Marine Terrace (TE27) station of the Thomson-East Coast Line 4. (Image: SGTrains)

TE 28 Siglap

Siglap (TE28) station of the Thomson-East Coast Line 4. (Image: SGTrains)

TE 29 Bayshore

Bayshore (TE29) station of the Thomson-East Coast Line 4. (Image: SGTrains)

TEL Thomson-East Coast Line 4 is now open for passenger service

Line Diagram of the Thomson East Coast Line Stage 4. (Image: SGTrains Graphics)

Train Network Map since the opening of Thomson-East Coast Line 4

The Train Network Map since the opening of Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 4 on Jun 23, 2024. (Image: SGTrains Graphics)

SEE ALSO: Train Network Map »
SEE ALSO: Future Train Network Map »

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Related Links
Thomson-East Coast Line – SGTrains

External Links
PM Lawrence Wong at the Opening of Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 4 (Jun 2024) – PMO
“Tried my hand at driving a #TEL4 train via this simulator.” – Chee Hong Tat/Facebook
“?We just commemorated the opening of #TEL4 ? with Lawrence Wong, celebrating 7 new stations from Tanjong Rhu to Bayshore making the east even more accessible.” – LTA/Facebook

Images: SGTrains, LTA/Facebook, Chee Hong Tat/Facebook.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.