The second stage of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) is ready for passenger service from 28 August 2021!
Commuters can look forward to a shorter waiting time with trains arriving at stations every five minutes during peak hours and every nine minutes off-peak. This is up from the current frequency of 10 minutes during peak hours and 15 minutes during off-peak hours at the first three stations of the TEL in Woodlands.
Residents of Nee Soon will also enjoy greater connectivity with these newly added stations!
MP Ms Carrie Tan who attended the opening ceremony of the Thomson-East Coast Line 2 at Mayflower Station said on her Facebook page that ‘an expanding network of MRT services with improved features, it certainly reduces the reasons for anyone to feel like we need to own a car to get around in Singapore.’
She also shared on LTA’s Art in Transit (AIT) programme at Springleaf Station. The AIT programme is Singapore’s largest public art showcase which integrates artworks by the country’s leading artists into MRT network.
The features of Springleaf station include an art mural covering the lift shaft; featuring local Springleaf elements and landmarks.
Inclusivity is also considered during the construction of these stations with two lifts provided at each station, to provide contingency and continued service even if one lift breaks down or is in repair.
“In consideration for those who are on wheelchairs, the lifts open up at the platform that leads directly to a train cabin that has wheelchair parking space. Very thoughtful of LTA and SMRT to make our train services more inclusive! There is also a video customer service function at the top-up booth for seniors who are confused by buttons. This service is in four languages,” Ms Carrie Tan added.
About 100,000 households will benefit from TEL1 and TEL2, many of which are residents of Nee Soon GRC.
When fully completed around 2025, the 43km, 32-station TEL is expected to have an average daily ridership of 500,000 initially, rising to one million in the longer term.
The line, which will run from Woodlands to Sungei Bedok and cost more than $25 billion, will also link to the upcoming cross-border rapid transit line to Johor Baru that is slated for completion in end-2026.