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Expect crowds during MRT suspension between Tanah Merah and Tampines stations from Dec 7-10: LTA, SMRT, Singapore News
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Expect crowds during MRT suspension between Tanah Merah and Tampines stations from Dec 7-10: LTA, SMRT, Singapore News

SINGAPORE — Passengers affected by the upcoming suspension of train services between Tanah Merah and Tampines stations from December 7 to 10 should expect crowds at stations and shuttle points, and plan for longer journeys, have said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and rail operator SMRT. said on December 4.

The four-day service outage, announced in early November, will allow track work to be carried out to connect the East-West Line (EWL) to the new East Coast integrated depot.

A shuttle service, Shuttle 7, will operate between Tampines, Simei and Tanah Merah stations at a frequency of three to five minutes, and up to 55 double-decker buses will be deployed each day.

Shuttle 7 fares will be the same as an MRT trip on the stretch.

“Affected stations and commuter points are expected to be crowded,” LTA and SMRT said in their joint statement.

They advised commuters to plan their trips in advance and consider alternative routes via the Downtown Line (DTL) and other MRT lines, as this could result in shorter travel times.

Commuters traveling to and from Tampines and Tanah Merah can switch to DTL at Tampines and Expo stations.

It is estimated that an average of 100,000 travelers will be affected each day by the suspension of train services, with their travel time extended by 20 to 30 minutes.

Depending on traffic conditions, it will take approximately 15 minutes for shuttle buses to travel between Simei and Tanah Merah stations, and 18 minutes between Simei and Tampines stations.

The closure between Tanah Merah and Tampines will also affect adjacent sections of the LEF.

Shuttle trains will run every five minutes between Tampines and Pasir Ris stations, and every eight minutes between Tanah Merah and Expo stations. They will run every 11 minutes between Expo and Changi Airport.

Those heading to Changi Airport can also take bus service 20 from Tampines or Simei stations to Expo station and take the EWL bus to the airport.

LTA and SMRT said that during the morning and evening peak periods on December 9 and 10, in order to maintain peak hour frequency, every second eastbound train will end its service at Paya Lebar station. The rest of the trains will continue to call at all stations towards Tanah Merah.

“Station staff will be available at affected stations to assist commuters during this period,” LTA and SMRT said.

Passengers can also refer to platform notice boards or obtain a brochure on alternative travel options, available at all EWL, DTL and North-South Line stations.

LTA and SMRT have previously said that connecting the EWL tracks to the East Coast Integrated Depot requires workers to remove around 80m of existing tracks, the sleepers that hold the running rail in place and the third rail that feeds the trains.

Trains cannot operate between Tanah Merah and Tampines stations during this period as electricity must be completely cut off to allow the safe removal of the third rail along the entire stretch.

The integrated depot is expected to be completed by 2026 and will house 220 EWL, DTL and Thomson-East Coast Line trains, as well as a bus depot that can accommodate more than 500 buses.

LTA said in November that further lane closures would be required in 2025 and 2026 to complete work at the depot. More details will be provided when ready.

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This article was first published in Strait Times. Permission required for reproduction.