Commuters travelling on the East-West Line (EWL) during the period of scheduled track works from Nov 29 to Dec 8 might have wondered why they would have to alight and change trains at Paya Lebar station before continuing their EWL journey. Read on to find out why.
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EWL closure at Tanah Merah and Simei stations from Nov 29 to Dec 8
Image: SGTrains Graphics
From Nov 29 to Dec 8, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and rail operator SMRT are carrying out scheduled track works to link the EWL with the upcoming East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID) and to commission a new platform at Tanah Merah station.
The 10-day scheduled track works require Tanah Merah and Simei stations to be closed. This means there are no train services between Bedok and Tampines stations, as well as between Tanah Merah and Expo stations.
However, considering train services between the city/west and Bedok stations are still available, commuters might have wondered why they have to alight and change trains at Paya Lebar station before continuing their journey on the EWL.
MORE INFO: No EWL train services between Bedok & Tampines, Tanah Merah & Expo from Nov 29 to Dec 8, 2025 »
What are track crossings, and why do their locations determine where to alight and change trains?
Image: SGTrains Graphics.
Track crossings – also referred to as crossover tracks or track points – allow trains to cross from one track to another, and are commonly used when trains turn around (or U-turn) when they reach the terminus station, before going back in the opposite direction.
In this situation, during the scheduled track works, train services between the city/west and Bedok stations are still available. However, the furthest available track crossings in the east, not affected by the closure, are adjacent to Paya Lebar station.
Although it would be ideal for commuters if trains could continue travelling directly from the city/west to Bedok station, this is practically not possible as Bedok station does not have a track crossing available nearby for trains to turn around.
A track point device (highlighted) at a track crossing. (Image: SGTrains)
Moreover, with the nearest available track crossing near Paya Lebar station, as shown in the diagram above, there can only be two shuttle trains operating in the section between Paya Lebar and Bedok stations, resulting in waiting times of up to eight minutes during peak hours.
Hence, it is necessary to alight and change trains at Paya Lebar station to continue your EWL journey towards Bedok station, as the nearest available track crossing for trains from the city/west to turn around is at Paya Lebar station, as Bedok station does not have any.
MORE INFO: MRT Travel Guide – East-West Line closure at Tanah Merah and Simei from Nov 29 to Dec 8, 2025 »
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Images: SGTrains Graphics.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.