MassRailTransits:HUGE plans!

[sabaisabai]

To summarise from the skytrain section..

The MRT system is missing stations at NE2, Woodleigh, and NS6. Of these, Woodleigh is partially? constructed, while there are no signs of provision for stations at NE2 or NS6. Buangkok has been completed but awaiting opening while SBS accountants count their pennies. NE6, Dhoby Ghaut, definitely exists :)

There's also a station missing between NS11 (Sembawang) and NS 13 (Yishun). This area is under development with new HDB blocks going up, and a new station will be more feasible here than between Yew Tee and Kranji which is currently an industrial area with scungy dogs roaming around. Last time I went by, Canberra Link, the road running parallel to the MRT between Yishun and Sembawang, was being put across the canal.

[jpatokal]

The Land Transport Authority has just announced the layout and provisional station names for the entire Circle Line:
http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=925

And here is the alignment of the entire line and each individual station:
http://www.lta.gov.sg/images/CCL%20alignment.jpg
http://www.lta.gov.sg/images/circle%20line.pdf

Stages 1 and 2 of the Circle Line are already under construction and are targeted for completion in 2007, with the whole thing on line by 2010.

[jpatokal]

As the resident Singaporean on 2bangkok, I think I have to comment on this (http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Subway/MRTA02.shtml#future) too:
Loop lines and circle lines are nothing new in many metro system across the world. Our neighbour, Singapore, is busy constructing an entirely underground Circle Line to relieve congestion in the city.
Singapore is much smaller than Bangkok and the existing North-South line already forms a loop around most of the island. While the first part of the Circle Line will indeed go through the city center and parts of the East Coast, the rest will pass through less developed areas outside the city center, to the extent that a number of stations (3-4?) will be skipped entirely in the first phase.

Congestion in the Bangkok sense of the word is already pretty much unknown in Singapore, so there isn't really a pressing need for the new line, it's just in line with normal Singov policy and planning for the future, hoping that people will come when the line is built. This failed pretty badly for the North-East Line and I'm not sure the later stages of the Circle Line will be that successful either, but we'll see...

[admin]

Well, that's a fundamental difference in policy... Singapore builds these lines before other development starts to provide infrastructure to future construction. In Thailand, these projects are only built after congestion occurs and it is clear they are needed...

BTW: Thanks jpatokal for posting these things about Singapore... It gives good perspective as we examine the Thai systems.

[sabaisabai]

A wall at the deepest part of the new circle line has collapsed, causing a hole in the ground 100 metres long and 30 metres deep, and the collapse of the entire width of Nicoll Highway. Two workers are confirmed dead and two are still missing. The highway, one of the major routes into the city, will have to remain closed for many months.

The story is better told here (http://straitstimes.com.sg).

For a quick picture, try here (http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/html/webspecial/nicoll/photo/nicoll_1.jpg).

[jpatokal]

The Singapore Mass Transit Map is excellent! A few minor comments:

Areas next to NE1 should be "Harbourfront" and "Keppel Harbour"
NE14 has been built but is not open yet
The area marked "Changi East" is the airport

For stuff to add, I agree that the Sentosa LRT needs to be included since it's already under construction. For future plans the Bukit Timah MRT line should also be noted.

But all in all very good work, the LTA should definitely hire you :D

[mrtfreak]

where's this map? urban rail site? when is BTL (bukit timah line) going to be constructed?

[mrtfreak]

missing stations:
North East Line:
NE2 Kampung Baharu (will be built at a later date)
NE11 Woodleigh (IS BUILT! waiting for surrounding areas to develop)
NE14 Buangkok (opening in 2-3 years time)

North South Line:
NS6 Sungei Kadut area
NS12 Canberra area
*no dates set for construction

Sengkang LRT:
SW1 Cheng Lim
SW2 Farmway
SW3 Kupang
SW4 Thanggam
SW5 Fernvale
SW6 Layar
SW7 Tongkang
SW8 Renjong

Future missing stations (circle line):
Thompson (will be built at a later date)
Bukit Brown (will be built at a later date)
West Coast (will be built at a later date)

[mrtfreak]

i think NEL (north east line) project was not well supported by developments in and around the station areas. area around woodleigh is a cemetary. it should have been exhumed way before MRT operations, so homes could be built, leading to shorter station closure. flats around buangkok could have been built earlier so that as they near completion SBS Transit can get revenue when owners come to collect keys, check for defects, etc.

in a way, it is good concept to construct before areas are developed. it minimises disruption to services, eg road diversions, etc. however, getting people/population to follow the lines might be a problem if they don't want to move.

[sabaisabai]

Thanks for the information mrtfreak.

Do you know anything more about Kampung Baharu station on the NEL? In particular I'm wondering what provision has been made for the station, whether the lines have built to fit the platforms, the station shell has been dug out, or things like that.

[admin]

here it is:
http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/map/singmap.shtml

[mrtfreak]

sabaisabai, i have travelled a few times between NE3 Outram Park and NE1 Harbour Front, sometimes looking into the tunnel. from what i observe, there seems to be no provisions made, no matter what the media says (the Straits Times has said that the tunnels between the two stations have been made with provisions). so i am wondering how they are going to make a station there, especially doing so, when the NEL is in full operations. they must have a way, and i'm sure it will be interesting to see how they carry it out. but then again, it won't be for a long time. take NS6 and NS12 for an example. the line was inaugregated in 1996, but up to now, no construction has ever gone on. but as usual, our government is just planning for the future.

the kampung baharu station construction will certainely differ from the future thompson, bukit brown and west coast stations as the station boxes for those will be built when the line is constructed. the location has been chosen, alas, for the kg baharu station, it has not yet been chosen. thus, construction may take place anywhere between the two stations. i think this might be risky, especially when the trains are underground. imagine the excavation works that have to be undertaken. i would rather have had them build a shell station first.

[mrtfreak]

oh, ok. thanks. cool. the LTA official map can be viewed at
LTA website map (http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/index_proj_maprail.htm)

Trans Island bus services (TIBS) has merged with rail operator SMRT. the buses are now knwn as SMRT buses.

[jpatokal]

Originally posted by mrtfreak
missing stations:
North East Line:
NE11 Woodleigh (IS BUILT! waiting for surrounding areas to develop)
NE14 Buangkok (opening in 2-3 years time)

NE11 is not built, according to ST all they did was prepare a concrete shell for a future station. NE14, on the other hand, is 100% complete but was not opened for cost-cutting reasons (not enough passengers to make it worth the while).

[mrtfreak]

correction, if you happen to pass NE11 woodleigh station, you would notice that all major works to the station (Platform Screen Door [PSD], lift, escalator is all ready) and lights iluminate the station at the emergency exit areas. shell means that the major structures of the station are built, leaving only minor things to be installed (eg TVMS and signage). i don't know where all this stuff about NE11 not yet built comes from, but it is certainely untrue.

[hanleong]

There is one more station missing between kranji and Yew tee mrt station..

in sungei Kadut area, that is

[mrtfreak]

yes, the station will obviously not be built until sungei kadut is cleared of the industries that currently sit on it and the canberra station not until more development in the area.

additional note for bangkokians:
North-South line was originally from Marina Bay to Yishun, and Choa Chu KAng line from Jurong East to CCK. North-sOuth line was extended from Yishun to Choa Chu Kang via Woodlands. just in case you wanted to study it. ;)

[AMRivlin]

The Transit Authority in Perth, Australia finally has taken the initiative to create an EZLink system for their customers.

Only 5 years after Singapore utilizes this, TransPerth buses and trains will offer tag on tag off.

Bear in mind Perth has daily ridership (Trains AND Buses) of 100k

Questions Asked of TransPerth:
www.transperth.wa.gov.au
www.newmetrorail.wa.gov.au

When will roll out begin? I was aware of a test period, just curious when it will go live for the public.
Transperth conducted a patron trial of the new SmartRider ticketing system during the month of May 2004. We are now planning to launch the new system in early 2005.

Will all buses and trains be equiped or only certain routes?
The entire Transperth system will be equipped to handle the SmartRider technology. This will include processors on every Transperth bus, Fare gates at major rail stations and processors at minor stations and processors on the Transperth ferries.

What will happen to MultiRider (Magnetic Stripe) cards in distribution now?
MultiRider tickets will be withdrawn from sale on the launch of SmartRider. Transperth will be running both MultiRider and SmartRider in parallel for a period of eight weeks after the launch date to allow passengers to use up their Multiriders. Should any passenger have any MultiRiders left after this period they will be able to transfer the value onto a SmartRider card.

Is this the same technology the Singapore Transit Authority uses in its trains and buses?
It is similar smartcard technology to Singapore and it will operate on the same basis of tag on and tag off.

Will cards be able to be invalidated if lost and refunded, if connected to original purchaser?
Patrons will have the choice of registering their SmartRider card, which will then allow them to hotlist their card if it is lost or stolen. Hotlisting a card enables Transperth to turn the card off and preserve the balance on the card for the patron, which can then be transferred to another card.

[sabaisabai]

The highway has been reconstructed and was re-opened on the 4th of December. Buses started plying along the highway again from today, the 6th of December.

During the reconstruction I had noticed no mention of the subway reconstruction, and now the reason has become apparent. It seems road has been rebuilt over the construction site by completely filling the subway construction site and only attending to road building. Therefore the section of underground trainline will have to be re-built after the re-opening of the road, delaying the opening of the subway by two years. Unless there's something I'm missing, that seems a very shortsighted way of doing things. Surely it would have been more efficient to rebuild the subway in conjunction with the road while the road was closed, even if it meant further road closure of another six months or so.

[mrtfreak]

Originally posted by sabaisabai
The highway has been reconstructed and was re-opened on the 4th of December. Buses started plying along the highway again from today, the 6th of December.

During the reconstruction I had noticed no mention of the subway reconstruction, and now the reason has become apparent. It seems road has been rebuilt over the construction site by completely filling the subway construction site and only attending to road building. Therefore the section of underground trainline will have to be re-built after the re-opening of the road, delaying the opening of the subway by two years. Unless there's something I'm missing, that seems a very shortsighted way of doing things. Surely it would have been more efficient to rebuild the subway in conjunction with the road while the road was closed, even if it meant further road closure of another six months or so.
the soil around the nicoll highway area is made of alluvium. this is deposit from rivers, etc. it would be very unwise to construct the tunnels as well as the road at the same time as the soil would still be inclined to move. nicoll highway is an artery road to the city centre and with its closure for nine months already, traffic on other roads to the city have worsened. traffic on nicoll highway before the collapse was 2,500 vehicles per direction per hour. the LTA has in fact taken a long-term approach at the matter. since it was essential that the road be reopened, it did the repairs to open it in the fastest possible time. the authority was not foolish to disturb possible evidence in the inquery. also, it would be extremely foolish to disturb the soil without letting it settle properly. besides, the delay to the line is only to stage 1 of the circle line from national stadium to dhoby ghaut interchange. the other stages (2-5) will be able to operate without the presence on stage 1. the stage 1 section of nicoll highway may be relocated if the LTA chooses to do so.

[sabaisabai]

Thanks for the information mrtfreak.

Although the line can operate without section 1, this section is arguably the most important, since it passes through the central area and links to the DB interchange.

As a cyclist and public transport advocate, I see that cars rule in Singapore. The traffic is getting worse by the year, yet the price of COEs keeps coming down.. I thought that the idea of COEs were to restrict the number of cars on the roads? Getting a little off-topic here.

[mrtfreak]

Originally posted by sabaisabai
Thanks for the information mrtfreak.

Although the line can operate without section 1, this section is arguably the most important, since it passes through the central area and links to the DB interchange.

As a cyclist and public transport advocate, I see that cars rule in Singapore. The traffic is getting worse by the year, yet the price of COEs keeps coming down.. I thought that the idea of COEs were to restrict the number of cars on the roads? Getting a little off-topic here.
yes, COE was implemented to reduce the number of people owning cars. yes, the stage 1 might be essential. but what is more important is the safety of the area if they had continued, it might have caused buildings like the golden mile tower and the concourse to sink or even collapse. the dhoby gahut interchange is already very crowded. and thank godness that there will not be a further influx of passengers, especially to the north-south line station platform which becomes deadlock when bothe trains arrive at the station in addition to passengers coming from other lines.

the purpose for the cirlce line is to relieve heavy traffic at central interchange stations (raffles place and city hall) by getting passengers to travel to other lines aroudn the city. once stage 2 and 3 are completed, passengers from eastern isngapore will be able to travle northwards without passing through city hall interchange by changing at paya lebar and travelling to bishan.

[mrtfreak]

currently there are only 2 stations with side platforms (braddel and dover). i wonder why they built the majority as island (central-platform) or double-island where there are three tracks (jurong east, tanah merah, ang mo kio). could anyone shed light on this?

[jpatokal]

Central platform is more space-efficient, as passengers going in both directions can share the same stairs, elevators, ticketing systems, etc. Double-island is particularly efficient, eg. at Jurong East if you arrive on the center platform you can exit north to east-bound trains and exit south for west-board trains, no need to go up and down between the levels.

It also prevents the annoyance of accidentally choosing the wrong side -- not so bad in Bangkok's Skytrain, where the ticketing level is shared and all you have to do is walk back down, but in eg. older Tokyo stations or KL's STAR if you buy your ticket and go in on the wrong side there's no way across.

Dover was built as side-platform because the station wasn't originally anticipated when the track was built. Not sure about Braddell.

[Ijud]

Yes... the Star LRT station Khun Jpatokal referred to is the Masjid Jamek Station... it's the only station which has seperate ticketing counters on both sides of Jalan Masjid Jamek... I think they can't have common ticketting level like other stations do because of the space constrains and the narrow streets...

[mrtfreak]

yes, dover was built from 1999 to 2001. that was the construction period. but at jurong east, suppose the north south line were to be extended, say beyond jurong to jurong island. how are they going to approach it? the jurong station is used as in interchange as the NSL terminates in the centre track.

couldn't they have built a bridge linking the two platforms at masjid jamek? something like bukit bintang station.

[jpatokal]

Originally posted by mrtfreak
but at jurong east, suppose the north south line were to be extended, say beyond jurong to jurong island. how are they going to approach it? the jurong station is used as in interchange as the NSL terminates in the centre track.
Good question, and I remember thinking about the same thing when I first saw the station. There is no easy way to extend it, I suppose you could always add a fourth platform and create a third island but then things start to get quite confusing.
couldn't they have built a bridge linking the two platforms at masjid jamek? something like bukit bintang station.
Sure, but that would have added inconvenience now for a possible future benefit later. As far as I know there are no plans to extend the NS line towards Jurong Island, I believe the current thinking is that the EW line will extend west from Boon Lay and that the new Jurong Region LRT line would cover the missing pieces (NTU, Jurong Island, etc).

[mrtfreak]

the boon lay extension wetwards from boon lay (EW27) MRT station will take the line two stops down into jurong west's international road (near the Singapore Discovery Centre). the extension was officially announced in the newspapers in late december. the first new station will be at Jurong West street 65 which is just further down from the existing Boon Lay terminal. the next station will, be as said above, on international road. i think the stations codes will be EW28 and EW29. these used to be the codes for the Expo and Changi Airport stations respectively until they changed to CG1 and CG2.

[jpatokal]

The new Punggol LRT's East Loop and the Sengkang LRT's additional West Loop will start operating on January 29:

http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/whatsnew_10January2005-2.asp
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/126618/1/.html

I, for one, plan to celebrate by paying a visit to Jalan Kayu's famous Thasevi Roti Prata (http://www.streetdirectory.com.sg/map.jsp?masterID=128774&postal=799459&building_name=&road_name=Jalan%20Kayu&house_blk_no=235&heading=&x=32405.0000&y=42007.0000&&x=32405.0000&y=42007.0000&iconlist=star1,32405.0,42007.0;&star=1&level=6
), soon accessible via Sengkang West's Thanggam station.

[mrtfreak]

you're going? hey, what about me? i'm planning to try the new loops out too. especially the long awaited sengkang west loop. i'm going to be trying them out on 30 january, sunday.

[jpatokal]

Time for a 2Bangkok meetup in Singapore? :D I'm not sure where I'll be that weekend yet though, but based on my current schedule the odds of me being in Sing seem fairly high.

[mrtfreak]

lol. nah, i'm just joking jp... but yeah, the singapore network is expanding really quick. the sengkang west loop service will only be in one direction, however. from 5.20am to 3pm the west loop will run anti-clockwise, starting a thanggam station. from 3pm to 12-ish, it will run clockwise from renjong station.

similarly, the punggol loop will also run on a single lane during initial stages.

btw, which part of singapore are you from?

[jpatokal]

Originally posted by mrtfreak
btw, which part of singapore are you from?
Formerly Jurong. Now I spend so much time in Bangkok that I'm homeless :D

[mrtfreak]

Originally posted by jpatokal
Formerly Jurong. Now I spend so much time in Bangkok that I'm homeless :D
oh, i see. i stay in dover, which is near to jurong. so, you're staying in a hotel this time round?

[mrtfreak]

construction work has begun on stage 4 and stage 5 later this year to meet the target of a 2010 opening. large machines are in place at buona vista's new station site, adjacent to the exisisting east-west line station. the taxi stand and drop-off area have been relocated.

[mrtfreak]

possible station names:
jurong street 63 station -->pioneer station/ jurong west station
international road station --> joo koon terminal/ tuas terminal/ pasir laba terminal

[sabaisabai]

Here's the LTA's press release, including a link to a PDF with a map and station designs:
http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=1138

[jpatokal]

The station alignment is mildly strange though: assuming that the line alignment diagram is correct, it looks like there's barely 500m between Boon Lay and Station 1, and three kilometers to Station 2. Presumably there are many HDB apartments around #1, while the stretch between is mostly comparatively sparse industrial land...

It would also be interesting to know how the planned Jurong LRT syncs with this extension.

[mrtfreak]

i went to the station 1 site recently. it is an open field and yes, there are lots of flats around it. however, i think they are going to demolish either the existing run-off tracks from boon lay or the carpark blocking the route. either way, it will be interesting to watch the construction.

some singaporeans are afriad that the BLE will become like the changi line with only a shuttle between BLN station and station 2.

[sabaisabai]

some singaporeans are afriad that the BLE will become like the changi line with only a shuttle between BLN station and station 2. It will very likely be like that. I just can't see any demand for a service to International Road (or beyond to Tuas) outside a short peak hour in the morning and in the evening.

[mrtfreak]

i doubt so. there will stil be demand at station 1 as more people will not want to walk when they have the service so near to their houses now. if they operate it as a shuttle service, there will definitely be protests by the resdients there. station 2 however, will see the range of passengers very limited unless commuters use the station to get to the discovery station. otherwise, more or less it will be used by the factory workers.

i think the reason they are building station 1 is to relieve the very busy BNL station. it has only 1 descending escalator, and a lot of passengers use this station as it serves the entire jurong west section. by having station 1 a short distance away, it will reduce the number of alighting commuters at BNL.

[jpatokal]

i doubt so. there will stil be demand at station 1 as more people will not want to walk when they have the service so near to their houses now. if they operate it as a shuttle service, there will definitely be protests by the resdients there. station 2 however, will see the range of passengers very limited unless commuters use the station to get to the discovery station. otherwise, more or less it will be used by the factory workers.
I though the official plan was to build (yet another) large bus interchange at stn 2? Don't know why they don't just connect to the existing Tuas terminal though.

i think the reason they are building station 1 is to relieve the very busy BNL station. it has only 1 descending escalator, and a lot of passengers use this station as it serves the entire jurong west section. by having station 1 a short distance away, it will reduce the number of alighting commuters at BNL.
Now this makes sense, the crush at BLE during rush hour is ridiculous. The other station with the same problem is Bugis, although this was alleviated a bit by NEL and the Circle Line should help out even more.

[mrtfreak]

I though the official plan was to build (yet another) large bus interchange at stn 2? Don't know why they don't just connect to the existing Tuas terminal though.
i haven't heard of anything, but then again, people were talking about the BLE way before i had even heard of it. then it became official. anyway, its still the keyword, planning.

Now this makes sense, the crush at BLE during rush hour is ridiculous. The other station with the same problem is Bugis, although this was alleviated a bit by NEL and the Circle Line should help out even more.
bugis station is crazy. what draws the crowd there? i have no idea. i try to avoid exitting at that station when possible and i only use it like 1 time in 2 years at the most. people are actually speculating that bugis could become an interchange for the future bukit timah line (BTL). bugis as interchange = havoc.

take dhoby ghaut as an example. the station was okay efore it was upgraded to interchange status. but now, the north-south line station is teeming with people when one train arrives. there's going to be an accident on the escalator sometime i tell you (well, technically, it already did with a child getting their palm caught on the escalator edge)...

[sabaisabai]

I spotted these "carriages" from the bus near Golden Mile.. can anybody shed some light as to what they're for? (click on the link for the picture)

http://sabaisabai.org/temp/20050125-0001r.jpg

[mrtfreak]

those are flat bed cars. they may be used for tunneling work, or for work that requires construction material to be transported. there is a huge circle that goes right down to the lowest level (9 stories below or equivilent) and this was before the tunnels reached the kallang basin. through this hole, the TBM was delivered to dig the bored tunnel below the kallang basin and into "boulevard" station. its just my guess, but i'll try get it confirmed with my uncle. by the way, who took that photo/how did you find it?

[sabaisabai]

Thanks for the information mrtfreak. I took the photo, from the upper deck of bus 196, at the nearest stop to Golden Mile travelling towards Suntec City. I found it by looking out the window :)

Is that hole still there and operational? I remember once seeing an enormous crane there, before the works and highway collapsed. The crane was most likely lowering heavy equipment down to the 9th level, as you said. I think the hole was right near the collapse site.

(and on a side-issue, where I used to sit and drink Whiskey with Thai workers on the odd Sunday before commencement of construction)

I've found one place where you can see the tracks in the tunnel. Whether the tracks are only for the construction phase, or permanent, I'm not sure. The place I saw them was at Millenia station, from walking up Benjamin Shears bridge a short way from the contstruction site.

[mrtfreak]

i see, interesting stuff this. i don't think they would lay the tracks at such an early stage. from what i can see, the hole is still operational. only the cut-an-cover section would have been affected by the collapse. regarding the tracks again, i think these are only temporary and may be used for the track-laying machine in future.

[jpatokal]

Went for a spin on the Sengkang West Loop today (with the obligatory roti prata detour). The Mitsubishi Crystal trains are quite nice, smooth rubber-wheeled automated guideway transit much in the style of Tokyo's Yurikamome line, and the little cars were packed today with sightseers doing the loop (if you're already on the MRT, it costs nothing to board the LRT, do the circuit, and come back!). There was even some signposting and a nice direct walkway/bridge across the little hill to Jalan Kayu, where Thasevi was busily serving up its stuff even on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I think it'll be quite a few years until the remaining three stations open though, one was in the middle of complete jungle and the other two were just starting to have brush cleared for what will eventually be HDBs.

More later perhaps, now gotta run catch my flight back to the Big Mango...

[mrtfreak]

hey, i was there too! today as well. went on both Sk LRT and PG LRTs. er, there seemed to be a lot of confusion on the commuter's part at sengkang station. and i think on weekends they should operate both route A and B in addition to C and D. if not, have one platform for the western loop and one for the eastern loop. it is rather confusing as the western loop operates in a single direction at different times. before 3 pm, use the inner loop (anti-clockwise way). after 3pm, use the outer loop (clockwise direction). i did see the little brifge at thanggam station. why didn't they just cover it all the way? :mad:

did you go for the punggol ride? there's supposed to be a future LRT line in the middle of punggol station. currently, the single island platform covers the track. however, when you approach from either end of the punggol station, you'll see that the station can accomodate the future track which i believe will be used for the northern spur line in future.

[mrtfreak]

The Mitsubishi Crystal trains are quite nice, smooth rubber-wheeled automated guideway transit much in the style of Tokyo's Yurikamome line.

do you happen to know what kind of technology this line runs on? is it a VAL type system?
and the little cars were packed today with sightseers doing the loop (if you're already on the MRT, it costs nothing to board the LRT, do the circuit, and come back!).
i would discourage anyone from taking a free ride. SBS Transit is already a loss making company, and by taking free rides, we won't be helping them to come out from their loss-making any sooner.
I think it'll be quite a few years until the remaining three stations open though, one was in the middle of complete jungle and the other two were just starting to have brush cleared for what will eventually be HDBs.
i think the station in the jungle you're refering to is kupang, right? there are slopes on one side of the station at least (the car was packed, and i was at the side of the door at fernvale station). i'm not sure what the land use for the areas around farmway and cheng lim stations are, but they may be for private housing. anyway, it was nice to cross the sungei punggol. and it looks very scenic from the LRT vehicles. :)

[mrtfreak]

i'll have to go for punggol in this one. very nice, space-age design that serves its purpose as an interchange for the MRT and LRT. the LRT platform at this station is also wider than that at Sengkang. another contender maybe the expo station. but i don't like this station's design as it comes across to me as rather blatant, strong. like its meant to stand out. punggol's architecture blends into it surroundings better to me.

[jpatokal]

do you happen to know what kind of technology this line runs on? is it a VAL type system?
See here (http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr16/f15_iwata.html) (summary) or here (http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr16/pdf/f15_iwata.pdf) (full PDF) for all you ever wanted to know about the Yurikamome (which is, incidentally, pretty high up on my list of favorite transit systems!). So yes, it's "VAL-type", except that Japan's 'new transit' (shinkoutsuu) systems are older than France's VAL, with Kobe's fully automated Port Liner opening in 1981. A little digging revealed that both Yurikamome & the Sengkang LRT were built by Mitsubishi (I thought the track looked awfully familiar!), here (http://www.mhi.co.jp/tech/pdf/e401/e401044.pdf)'s some Mitsu propaganda in PDF form.

[mrtfreak]

thanks. what did that place with the prata sell? other than prata that is...

[jpatokal]

thanks. what did that place with the prata sell? other than prata that is...
Huh? It's Singapore's most famous prata joint, so they sell... prata (although possible toppings include things like bananas and chocolate ice cream). Plus obvious derivatives like murtabak and a wide range of curries to dip into.

[sabaisabai]

I'm with you on Punggol. It looks both modern and classic at the same time. I think it looks almost like an old aircraft body, if that makes any sense. I'll have to get some good pics before the area gets built up.

As for underground stations, I was pretty impressed with the new Dhoby Gaut, the open section with the murals and escalators.

i'll have to go for punggol in this one. very nice, space-age design that serves its purpose as an interchange for the MRT and LRT. the LRT platform at this station is also wider than that at Sengkang. another contender maybe the expo station. but i don't like this station's design as it comes across to me as rather blatant, strong. like its meant to stand out. punggol's architecture blends into it surroundings better to me.

[mrtfreak]

I'm with you on Punggol. It looks both modern and classic at the same time. I think it looks almost like an old aircraft body, if that makes any sense. I'll have to get some good pics before the area gets built up.

As for underground stations, I was pretty impressed with the new Dhoby Gaut, the open section with the murals and escalators.

the aircraft body thing, definitely makes sense. dhoby ghaut, i'm witing to see how it ties in with the circle line. generally, for underground stations, i like the types that have high ceilings (eg, toa payoh, NEL outram park).

[mrtfreak]

I'll have to get some good pics before the area gets built up.


hey, btw, could you get some pics of that middle track as well?

[mrtfreak]

i was just wondering, since bukit panjang station will be the future "own centre station" for the housing estate, why not make another loop linking Ten Mile Junction (TMJ) station to Choa Chu Kang (CCK) station? that way, commuters could chose to get on which ever train arrives at CCK station first to get to BP station and then to BP town. besides, SMRt could get more fares, etc.

your views and suggestions, pls.

[mrtfreak]

the Bukit Timah line will connect bukit timah road, upper bukit timah road and bukit panjang areas. anyone want to predict the station sites? most likely the entire line will be underground (ala NEL). and finally bukit panjang gets her MRT.

[jpatokal]

This thread (http://www.freewarepalm.com/travel/singaporemrtmap.shtml), which I'd stumbled on earlier but managed to find again (thanks Google!), claims the following:

it will start at NEWTON MRT STATION, and basically follow Bukit Timah Road, passing by adam rd, bukit timah plaza, hillview and ends at Ten Mile Junction.

The guy claims insider knowledge, but your guess is probably as good as his. To me, the routing seems a little strange: Newton seems an odd place to start the line (Orchard is far busier), and if the line ends at Ten Mile then there's no interchange to the North-South line in CCK.

[sabaisabai]

Which track was that? The one you can see near Millenia station? Sure, I can get a pic of that. Let me know if that's what you meant.

[mrtfreak]

i think it would start at dhoby ghaut if it were me. yes, a lot of singaporeans (self NOT included) think the line will interchange at the following stations:
nicoll Highway on circle line
bugis on east west line
little india on north east line
newton on north south line

in addition to LTA-confirmed interchanges of:
adam on circle line
bukit panjang on BPLRT

but i would be against a dhoby ghaut interchangeas the north south line station WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COPE with the added passenger load. the NEL makes it worse and what with the circle line (CCL) entering in 5 years? :eek:

my guess is that it will end at woodlands or kranji (even hopefully at woodlands checkpoint). anyway, the alignment should be out soon. predicting earliest official announcement to be in 2005-2006. latest by 2008.

[mrtfreak]

Which track was that? The one you can see near Millenia station? Sure, I can get a pic of that. Let me know if that's what you meant.
hey, that would be a good idea too. but what i mean is, you said you'll try to get pics of the punggol station. well, go to the LRT platform, get to the middle of the station, the platform covers the middle track for now. but it runs northeast out of the station towards sam kee station and terminates southwest of the punggol interchange. currently, no guidance tracks, centre rail or electrified 3rd rails have been installed and its just to lines of concrete running slabs.

[ncr]

Excuse me, what exactly is roti prata? I know roti, but what's that prata stuff?

I apologize for my ignorance.

[jpatokal]

Excuse me, what exactly is roti prata? I know roti, but what's that prata stuff?
The Singaporean spelling of paratha, the Indian flat bread. They call it roti canai in Malaysia.

[mrtfreak]

its dough which they make flat and "fry" with oil on a large hot plate. variations include adding cheese, garlic or egg. usually served hot with sugar or curry. hope it gives you a better understanding. :)

[sabaisabai]

Ah, now I understand. I haven't as yet taken the Punggol LRT.. I usually cycle up to Punggol rather than taking public transport. Is it built like that to accomodate the other Punggol loop that's under construction? I think I'll have to see for myself to get a better picture :)

[mrtfreak]

i have no idea what its intended use is for. there are 3 tracks going towards the west loop north of punggol station. :confused:

[poi]

SINGAPORE : The 23-year-old Sentosa Monorail is going to make its last journey next Tuesday. In its place will be a S$140 million express train project, which will connect Sentosa to the Harbour Front MRT station within 6 minutes. ... The Sentosa Express will start running in November next year and will be able to carry up to 8,000 passengers an hour.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/136921/1/.html
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/39621.asp

[GWR]

http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=4116&postcount=1

[MRT Buff]

Does anyone know the alignment of the Eastern Region Line? Please help me! Thanks!

[mrtfreak]

serves marine parade, kaki bukit, tampines, bdeok areas. alignment yet to be finalised.

[jpatokal]

And the LTA has once again announced a new chunk o' MRT, this time as a spur of sorts from the Circle Line:

http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=1268

Scheduled to start construction in 2007 and finish by 2012, at a cost of S$1.4 billion for 3.4km with five stations spaced just 300m away from each other on average (Sing's most expensive line per km ever), this basically connects Millenia (Circle Line) with Chinatown (North-East Line), running through the up-and-coming Marina Bay district, built on reclaimed land just south of Singapore. (At an exorbitant cost and lying empty and fallow ever since the 1997 economic bubble burst, but for some strange reason MediaCorp doesn't seem to dwell on this very much...) But growth in the area is picking up and one of the casinos, excuse me, Integrated Resorts will be popping up there soon. The mode of operation is unclear though: will it be operated by shuttle to Millenia, as a spur line with alternate trains terminating in Dhoby Ghaut and Chinatown, or what? According to the Millenia station plans (http://www.lta.gov.sg/images/millenia_station.jpg) there will be a tunnel for going from Chinatown towards Dhoby Ghaut as well, but it's one-way and thus unlikely to be used for passenger service, just train realignments.

One interesting feature is the plan to continue the ends of both lines as the Bukit Timah Line and the Eastern Region Line, both of which have been the subject of much speculation. Neither seems likely to start construction before 2010 though, and even this extension comes as a surprise as the LTA was generally assumed to have its hands full with the Circle Line behemoth and the Jurong extension already.

A few MediaCorp puff pieces:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/152646/1/.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/152926/1/.html

[mrtfreak]

well, this will definitely improve connections i'd say, though i wish they needn't have to dig up at chinatown again (moans). guess i won't go there once work starts again...

yes, interesting ways of linking to both the BTL and ERL eh? :D well, this makes the subway map even more complicated now.

speaking of placing structural provisions, i've always wondered why the passageway at the northern end of the platfrom was always barricaded. appears to be provisions for connections to the DTE. i think the DTE was long planned as there are structural provisions at the chinatown NEL station to minimise revonvations to accomodate transfer linkways.

besdies, the original marina line (now circle line stage 1) was an E-shaped alignment, linking Chinatown, Dhoby Ghaut and Kallang stations. I guess they went back to the drawing board and adapted it to today's needs.

[mrtfreak]

it will run along jalan besar and cut through kolam ayer and run towards MacPherson station which is an interchange. From there, it will serve parts of bedok and tampines that don't yet have metro services. I'm assuming from Tampines, it makes a U-turn and loops back to marine parade. assumed terminal is at chinatown.

[jpatokal]

The names of the stations in Circle Line stages 1-3 have now been selected:

http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=1292

Since the names are annoyingly buried in a MSWord doc, I'll spill the beans: Bras Basah, Esplanade, Promenade, Nicoll Highway, Stadium, Mountbatten, Dakota, MacPherson, Tai Seng, Bartley, Lorong Chuan and Marymount.

You can also suggest and vote for your favorite names for Stages 4 & 5:

http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_new_content.asp?start=79

[mrtfreak]

I hate the way they named the station Dakota... I very much prefered Tanjong katong.

[mrtfreak]

As the resident Singaporean on 2bangkok, I think I have to comment on this (http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Subway/MRTA02.shtml#future) too:

Singapore is much smaller than Bangkok and the existing North-South line already forms a loop around most of the island. While the first part of the Circle Line will indeed go through the city center and parts of the East Coast, the rest will pass through less developed areas outside the city center, to the extent that a number of stations (3-4?) will be skipped entirely in the first phase.

Congestion in the Bangkok sense of the word is already pretty much unknown in Singapore, so there isn't really a pressing need for the new line, it's just in line with normal Singov policy and planning for the future, hoping that people will come when the line is built. This failed pretty badly for the North-East Line and I'm not sure the later stages of the Circle Line will be that successful either, but we'll see...

The sole purpose of the Circle line is intra-town and intra-line travel actually. People may just use it to travel in between lines. For example, I now live at Dover Road which. I'd use th circle line to get to serangoon and then to hougang, etc.

[jpatokal]

Went for a look-see in Sentosa yesterday and the Express is sprouting up rapidly. Great big chunks of the new monorail track are now complete and the contractor's billboards indicate the track works will be finished by December this year. The stations are also well under way, although there is still quite a bit more work needed. Much of the old monorail track is already gone, although their stations are still sitting around, looking a little forelorn.

Evidently the Master Plan is to turn Palawan Beach, the terminal station, into the "hub" of the beach area with a huge underground carpark and 'beach trains' (on rubber wheels, so don't get too excited) shuttling out to Siloso and Tanjong. Currently, though, the only means of getting around is by bus and it's a bit of a clusterfunk, with everybody confused about where the lines are going, as they were changed after the monorail stopped running and signage is poor to nonexistent. Particularly stupid is the fact that the Visitors' Guide map doesn't even show the routes! There were also long queues at chokepoints like Palawan and the Gateway... evidently Sentosa is just trying to muddle through until the monorail is ready (2006?) and doesn't want to invest too much time and effort in the meantime.

[mrtfreak]

Another thing is, the monorail cannot open and operate until the HarbourFront terminal at Vivo City can open along with the shopping centre. If the opening of Vivo City is delayed, so is the monorail...

The new buses are fine and if you look carefully, you can see that there are panels that show the route alignments. But nothing beats the fixed track of the iconic monorail. There was talk of them extending the Sentosa Express to the Sentosa Cove in future.

By the way, if you go on the carlsberg sky tower, you'f be able to see the entire alignment of the new monorail and its works.

[jpatokal]

The construction of the Nicoll Highway station version 2 (re-)started yesterday with a groundbreaking ceremony at a new site next to the Concourse, as the old site and tunnel were filled with concrete to allow faster rebuilding of the collapsed highway. No word on the expected date of completion, but as station excavation won't start until August 2006, the section -- and Circle Line phase 1 -- is unlikely to be ready much before 2010.

LTA announcement with oodles of technical details: http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=1382

[jpatokal]

The Sentosa Express seems to be, quite literally, on track -- the first monorail car was hoisted onto the guideway on September 22, and the project is on schedule for completion by the end of 2006.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/169658/1/.html

[sabaisabai]

Thanks for the info jpatokal. I'm really quite miffed by the fact they're rebuilding the whole section of tunnel and even the station, just so they could re-open Nicoll Highway as quickly as possible. There must have been a better way. A further five years is just staggering..

The construction of the Nicoll Highway station version 2 (re-)started yesterday with a groundbreaking ceremony at a new site next to the Concourse, as the old site and tunnel were filled with concrete to allow faster rebuilding of the collapsed highway. No word on the expected date of completion, but as station excavation won't start until August 2006, the section -- and Circle Line phase 1 -- is unlikely to be ready much before 2010.

LTA announcement with oodles of technical details: http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=1382

[jpatokal]

An interesting speculative map from Wikipedia:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/89/Future_MRT_Lines.jpg

Needless to say most of the lines shown are unlikely to materialize in the next 10 years if ever. Disappointing thought of the day: even if everything was built, there would still be no service to the entire west Orchard/River Valley/Robertson Quay/Havelock Rd area. Consider this spot (http://www.streetdirectory.com.sg/singaporemap/singaporemap.php?starmode=0&x=28193.813027778&y=30321.064166667&star=1&iconlist=star1,28193.813027778,30321.064166667;&searchcompany=&searchunitno=&searchblock=76&searchstreetname=Robertson+Quay&searchbuildingname=The+Gallery+Hotel&searchpostalcode=238254&searchmasterid=22435&searchbuildingid=9106&level=4) -- packed with high-rise apartments, hotels and busy nightlife districts, yet you can draw a circle well over a kilometer in diameter around it and not get a single MRT station in range.

[Yappofloyd]

Khun jpatokal,

Is this really that speculative as you say? I thought that the MRT was going to have 2 new lines aside from completing the circle line, so maybe this map is reflective of future plans? One the Eastern Region line appears to be correct as the Yellow line heading to Marine Parade. The other line, Bukit Timah line. dark blue also appears to be in the right place. The map seems to have the planned Jurong LRT and the two new stations planned for EW line west of Boon Lay. I thought that all of these were to be built in the next 10-15 years?

The only one I'm not sure about is the outer line, North Coast line in light blue but I seem to remember seeing something a while ago suggestiings that there was a long term aim for such a line.

This map was obviously done before Jan 05 as it only shows LRT SK east as being operational.

Anyway, one thing for sure Singapore, like HK, is gradually planning ahead and expanding the network.

[jpatokal]

It's speculation in the literal sense of the word, as none of the new lines (anything post-Circle Line, Downtone Extension and the EW line extension) have officially been announced. Some of the routings claim to be based on LTA leaks and such, but LTA has come up with surprises in the past -- notably the Downtown Extension, which very few people saw coming.

I'm also not at all convinced the network can keep on expanding at its current pace, given the way the North-East Line and, in all probability, the Circle Line will bleed money for the foreseeable future. :( One line per million people is a rough but usually fairly accurate estimate of how many subway lines a city can support, and with the Circle Line complete Singapore will hit the mark.

[jpatokal]

The North-East Line's much-delayed Buangkok, not to be confused with Bangkok :D, station opens on January 15, 2006.

So why should you care? Here's the story in a nutshell: the station was completed in 2003 along with the rest of the North-East Line, but not opened as SBS felt that running it would not be profitable -- needless to say people living in the vicinity were not happy about it, and this culminated this year in some pranksters placing white elephant cutouts around the station when a minister came a-visiting. After much huffing and puffing about this being a horri-bi-ba-ble violation of the Public Entertainment Act, the government did an about-face and announced the opening, while loudly stressing that this was purely due to a coincidental operational review and had zippo, nada, zilch to do with public pressure (I mean, God forbid something think Singapore is a democracy or something).

A fuller scoop:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buangkok_MRT_Station

[GWR]

Is it Malay, Chinese or some other language? What does it mean? Does a Thai minority live in that area of the city or something?

[jpatokal]

Interesting question, and a little poking about reveals the answer: it's the Hokkien(?) pronunciation of 万国 (simpl.) / 萬國 (trad.), meaning "Ten Thousand Countries". In Japanese, which is close to southern Chinese dialects*, this would be pronounced "Bankoku", identically to the Japanese name for Bangkok... but for Bangkok there's another pair of characters, 曼谷, which means something like "wide valley" but was obviously chosen mainly for the pronunciation.

Singapore's Thai community congregates in Golden Mile Complex on Beach Rd, but there is (yet?) no MRT station in the area...

* For the pronunciation of borrowed Chinese words, that is, the languages are grammatically entirely unrelated.

[Yappofloyd]

Ok thanks for the clarification as I had thought that the Eastern and Bukit lines were a definate thing for the future. We'll have to wait and see how much money the circle line does bleed from the coffers....I guess after the surprise of the downtown ext anything is possible.

[jpatokal]

It's open :)

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/188321/1/.html

And the police is investigating rumors that students are planning to violate the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order & Nuisance) Law by, shock horror, wearing T-shirts with white elephants on them :mad:

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/95206.asp

[onslaught]

Well, what I need to emphasize is that Singapore only has a short history of self government. This is, that there has only been 3 prime ministers in Singapore. Therefore, it is too early to judge if Singapore is democratic or not. Also, Singapore was largely created by one man, Lee kuan Yew. he was so absorbed in moulding a better future for singapore that he won almost all the hearts of Singaporeans, thus, the population has since continually voted for the PAP, the party that he is in, However, I must admit, that it is rather strange to have father and son making up 2 of the prime ministers. Also, to explain the problem of the MRT station, it was built early but not opened until recently. As the re-elections are coming in March, i guess so, the MRT station was opened to make the residents favor the PAP (peoples' action party) and vote for them. Theres a lot of hidden stuff behind politics you know...

[onslaught]

oh yes, I forgot to mention, White elephants are something people use to describe a thing that is very rarely used and expensive to maintain, the students, unlike their father and mothers, are probably dissatisfied with the government for not opening it 2 years ago, and they also probably found out that the government has been planning to use this for the upcoming re-elections

[onslaught]

Well, I guess its part of the government to ensure that the convenience of the citizens are met, because they would be unfair to let people living in crowed areas to have all the benefits

[mrtfreak]

Hmmm, the alignments for the BTL, ERL are in the person's perspective I guess. However, they have the wrong concept for the alignment of the ERL. In actual, the ERL is suppsoed to be an oblong circuit, flanking the north and south regions of the east section of the East-West Line. But a good effort I will say.

The Circle Line's stage 6, is that ever gonna happen eh? Also note, operators are usually contracted AFTER the line has commenced construction, not before. ;)

The North Shore line, that actually has been planned for by the LTA. I suppsoe they could always use that line as a link line, much like the Tung Chung line in Hong Kong which has only one or two non-interchange stations (ala Victoria line, London).

Next, they need the Woodlands check point to have a station. :D The North Shore line should serve that section then.

[mrtfreak]

This station was a poor case of co-ordination amongst authorities. HDB and LTA could've worked together better. For example, LTA could've asked HDB to set up the area for the new residential developments and the appropriate offices before the line was completed and opened.

Then when the line was opened, Buangkok station could've been opened along with the rest of the line. Possibly, if some flats were ready by then, passenger traffic would've been substantial enough to warrant the station's opening.

People looking for homes could come to the station and head to the HDB offices set up too, to take a look at prospective units for occupancy. It could've been handled better in my opinion. LTA should learn from the development of this line and apply the things learnt during the inception of future lines.

I heard that the station's name comes from the Chinese pronunciation of it. Something like Wan Guo.

[jpatokal]

A good two-part pictorial by monorails.org about the upcoming Sentosa Express:

http://www.monorails.org/tMspages/CnstSentosa01a.html
http://www.monorails.org/tMspages/CnstSentosa01b.html

The trains look kinda cheezy but hey, it's a theme park...

[jpatokal]

More pics! The system is nearly ready to go, if Vivocity opens on Oct 1st as planned this may well open along with it.

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=374312

[jpatokal]

...which, of course, means it's badly delayed from its original 2006 target, but this is Singapore so let's pretend we don't know that :mad:

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=374531

Nothing new as such, except that the first trains have now arrived for testing and there are some nice shots of the stations taking shape. The livery is essentially identical to what SMRT currently uses, but the trains themselves are built by Althom and are the same as those used on SBS's North-East Line.

[GWR]

Awfully murky picture due to the Indo haze. The Singlish background talk is pretty interesting in its own right.

***DUE TO THE HAZE[PSI .136]
** SENTOSA IS VERY BLURY
The Sentosa Rail
It is movin towards Sentosa From HarbourFront!
taken in Vivo City.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzepRk_TPm0

[jpatokal]

Vivocity is open but the monorail isn't, yet -- latest word says soft launch in December (perhaps on Dec 1st, along with Vivocity's official opening?), official launch Jan 1st (?) 2007.

[GWR]

Here's a better view of the trials: -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt8NcABcH-4

Added October 10, 2006
From survivorfreak
Sentosa Express monorail on trial run be Sentosa Express monorail on trial run between Harbour Front on the mainland and Sentosa Island. Taken from newly opened Vivo City.

[jpatokal]

The monorail opened on January 15th. Google News isn't picking this up yet, but to re-plagiarize somebody from Skyscrapercity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=11211650):
Getting from Harbourfront to Sentosa has never been easier.

The 140-million-dollar Sentosa Express Light Rail system, which started service today, promises to transport you from Vivocity to Siloso Beach in eight minutes flat.

19-year-old Darren Gho was one of its first passengers.

He was going for classes at the Tourism Academy on Sentosa.

"I think it saves a lot of time lah because firstly when we take the bus, we have to stop at the Visitor Departure and then change a bus so the whole journey could go up to half an hour, but with this train ride, I think it halves the journey lah."
Wah lao, monorail in Singapore izzit? OK lah, also can!

[jpatokal]

So I had a chance to go on a ride on the Sentosa Express last weekend. Some impressions:

The trains are tiny and, on an ordinary rainy Saturday afternoon, packed. If Sentosa takes off like they're hoping with the casinos and everything, they're going to need to increase capacity soon.
There are no windows on the front or the back of the trains, which makes them feel a little cramped and takes away from the best part of riding a monorail -- the views!
The ride is very smooth, and a vast improvement on the rollercoasterlike KL Monorail. It also feels rather slow though, the trains only seem to get up to anything approaching full speed on the long stretch between the mainland and the island.
Waterfront Station won't be opened until 2010 -- but the trains stop there anyway, and even open the doors!
Ticketing is handled through throwaway plastic RFID cards, S$3 gets you entry to the island and unlimited rides. Rather oddly, you have to go through ticket reader turnstiles both in and out even on the island, although there's no way to get to the island without paying your S$3! The turnstiles are also of the type that you have to open manually by pushing, instead of opening up automatically like the MRT ones do, and this seemed to confuse quite a few people.

All in all, it was a solid but a little boring, much like Singapore itself. :D A few pictures taken by yours truly:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentosa_Express

[jpatokal]

The sixth station on the Punggol LRT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punggol_LRT)'s East Loop line, Oasis, opened yesterday:

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/194516.asp
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/282230/1/.html

The seventh and final station, Damai, as well as the entire West Loop remain closed until housing density picks up.

[GWR]

All you need is a phone
By Alfred Siew
The Straits Times
Publication Date: 04-09-2007

The mobile phone, already a veritable Swiss Army knife, may soon have one more use - to pay for train rides and other 'small-ticket' items.

In a flurry of announcements yesterday (Sept 3), rival telecom and payment companies said they were testing a new wireless technology that could turn mobile phones into sophisticated electronic purses.

SingTel and Nets are testing phones that could let people pay for, say, drinks at a cafe, in the same way they would with a stored value card like the CashCard.

StarHub and EZ-Link have started a trial to use the same technology - Near-Field Communication (NFC) - to let commuters tap specially made phones on a fare gate to pay for train or bus rides.

Besides paying for items at 20,000 ez-link terminals islandwide, these phones, which use the same chips as those in ez-link cards, also let a user check the amount they have left with a quick glance at the screen.

To top up their phones, users can go to the usual ez-link top-up points, like the fare machines at train stations.

Rivals SingTel and Nets are launching a similar tie-up today.

Their trial service lets a user tap his phone at a special reader at a store to pay for an item.

To top up the amount stored on the phone, he can draw on a credit card account he already has with DBS, OCBC or UOB.

This is done electronically by connecting to the banks using a mobile phone network - a first in Asia, said a Nets spokesman.

The trials represent the latest attempt to provide mobile payments here.

Previous attempts to produce gadgets that allowed people to pay for movie tickets, for example, were unsuccessful partly because of a lack of phone models and immature technology.

Gregory Danker, vice-president for marketing communications at EZ-Link, told The Straits Times: "The new technology is logical because everyone has a cellphone these days."

But he stressed that the trial is still in its early stages and at present involves only one model of mobile phone.

While the technology seems exciting, all parties cautioned that it still needs to be developed further before being offered commercially.

Though such mobile payment technologies have been tested worldwide for several years, the only place where they have gained widespread use is in Japan.

There, more than 20 million people tote NTT Docomo's osaifu-keitai, or wallet phones, which can be used to pay for anything from train rides to instant noodles at convenience stores.

http://www.asianewsnet.net/stech.php?aid=12039

[jpatokal]

Nothing new under the sun -- Octopus in Hong Kong has been offering chipped phones for years:

http://www.octopuscards.com/consumer/products/other/en/index.jsp

The HK models use a simple but clever approach: it's just a replaceable cover that snaps onto standard phones like the Nokia 3310. The level of integration for the Sing phones seems to be higher (eg. you can view remaining value through the phone's display), but this is going to increase complexity and price as well. And despite the article's claims, bank payments via mobile phone are old hat in Japan (http://blog.q-taro.com/keitai/osaifu-keitai/)...

[GWR]

The Farmway LRT Station, located at the west loop of Sengkang LRT system, will be opened on this Thursday 15 November 2007 according to the press release:

http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/2007-11-13-01-L.aspx

[GWR]

January 25, 2008 18:15 PM

Singapore To Spend $20 Billion On New Rail Network

SINGAPORE, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- Singapore is spending $20 billion on a new rail network and extending present rail lines that will connect the whole island in the next 12 years.

As part of its long-term plan to create seamless travel, cut waiting and travelling time, the new rail network and extended rail lines will double Singapore's rail lines from the present 138 km to 278 km.

This was revealed by Singapore Transport Minister Raymond Lim who said the whole rail network was expected to eventually carry triple the number of passengers from the current 1.4 million a day to 4.6 million in 2020.

Lim, who spoke during a visit to a transport depot here today, said by 2020, people who lived, shopped or worked in the city would be able to reach an MRT (mass rapid transport) station within 400 metres or a mere 5-minute walk.

"Travelling across the city will be a breeze, because we will have a dense network of MRT stations like what we see in London and New York today," Lim said.

He said the government would build two new rail networks, one linking Marina Bay in the city to Woodlands in the north, and the other one, also linking Marina Bay, to the eastern part of the island in Changi, that would pass through residential areas that were currently not served by MRT services.

The respective rail lines named "Thomson Line" and "Eastern Region Line" and to be constructed by 2018 and 2020 respectively would shorten journey time to the city by 20 minutes from the current 45 minutes, the Minister said.

On the extension of the current North-South and East-West Lines, he said they should be completed around 2015.

The North-South Line which now ends at the Marina Bay station in the south will be extended southwards to serve upcoming developments in the southern Marina Bay area, such as the new cruise terminal in Marina South.

The East-West Line which ends in Boon Lay will be extended by another 14 km into Tuas near the Second Link linking the Island and Johor.

Lim said the $20 billion to be spent on the new rail networks was over and above the $20 billion that the government had already committed for the on-going Boon Lay Extension (BLE), the Circle Line (CCL) and the Downtown Line (DTL) that connected several parts of the city.

The Minister said all these rail projects were a necessary investment to ensure that Singapore's transport infrastructure met the needs of a growing population and an expanding economy.

-- BERNAMA
Non-specific link:
http://www.bernama.com.my/

[GWR]

See previous post for actual plan details

Making rail king commute
By Editorial Desk

The Straits Times
Publication Date: 26-01-2008

London, Tokyo and New York are highly liveable environments defined by rail commutes, not by the car and not much by bus even. It is pleasing to know that Singapore's rail coverage and network density will, by around 2020, have grown to levels that will match those of London and New York and exceed Tokyo's. There will be a doubling in the rail network, from 140km to 280km. In practical terms, this says that most Singaporeans can expect to be able to move about efficiently for their daily business, at modest cost and at little polluting damage to the environment. These are the Transport Ministry's reckonings. It is still an imponderable whether Singaporeans will, like those cities' sensible inhabitants, surrender the use of their cars for the convenience of using public transport. The transport policy direction is clear and it is correct. What is to be determined is whether the extent of the network planning and the daily running of rail services by the operators will meet requirements so well that taking the train becomes not an option but the most natural thing to do. However, unlike in conurbations such as Tokyo, the bus network in Singapore will have to be integrated more tightly with rail, both as a complement and an alternative.

The state will be investing about S$40 billion (US$28 billion) all told on existing extension works, like the Circle and Downtown lines, and new lines to link up remoter points of the island, such as Tuas and Woodlands. There will be more interchanges for passengers to make connections and reduce travel times. If the expansion programme released yesterday is not thrown off schedule by budget or other unforeseen reasons, there is a fair chance the MRT can over time be established as the unrivalled mode of transport. The decision to start phased operations on the Circle Line next year, a year sooner, is part recognition of the need to get the public on the side of rail.

There are other enabling factors to consider. The smooth movement of commuters from rail stations to bus interchanges and taxi stands and vice versa, and between stations and commercial buildings, can be better planned. Raffles Place station is an example of underground links that connect to all main buildings; Orchard is not. Woodlands and Toa Payoh stand out for bus-rail connectivity. Design of new lines should have these features, whereas existing stations should where feasible have link connections built. Another factor is to anticipate demand in accordance with the national development plan and the growth of new population centres. For illustration, is it feasible to build above-ground tracks through the vast empty tract of Yio Chu Kang-Yishun and Upper Bukit Timah before full-scale development challenges budgets and design flexibility?
http://www.asianewsnet.net/editorial.php?aid=14734

[jpatokal]

Highly unofficial and speculative yet instructive map of the new lines:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Singapore_mrt_lrt_map_future_version4.png

I don't think the minister's speech is exactly a commitment to build them though -- the lines have been on the drawing board for a while, and the LTA regularly slows down or accelerates projects based on demand or lack thereof.

[Yappofloyd]

Highly unofficial and speculative yet instructive map of the new lines:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Singapore_mrt_lrt_map_future_version4.png

I don't think the minister's speech is exactly a commitment to build them though -- the lines have been on the drawing board for a while, and the LTA regularly slows down or accelerates projects based on demand or lack thereof.
Khun jpatokal, is there anything new here as I thought that the outer circle line (North Shore - Black) had been planned from 2000 plus a NW line to Woodlands. Although, I had not seen the Eastern Regional before so perhaps this is new?

The decision to start phased operations on the Circle Line next year, a year sooner, is part recognition of the need to get the public on the side of rail.
Hey this is great news as the 2010 Stage 1 opening always seemed a tad on the conservative side even if some parts of the Circle Line are now slated to be opened later than planned such as Nicoll Hwy (which did have the cave in) and Dakota.

[Yappofloyd]

I cannot really believe that this new depot could be the worlds largest (which means it will already surpass the Indo claim for the new Jakarta depot being SE Asias largest - see Indonesia railwatch thread). Perhaps the largest underground depot but then I thought that there were a large one in NY city?

Also, take a look at the Straits Times podcast, http://www.straitstimes.com/Video%2BNews/Singapore/STIVodcast_3483.html

Kim Chuan Depot all ready to provide support for rail lines
By Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 26 January 2008 1754 hrs

SINGAPORE: After five years of construction, the Kim Chuan Depot is now ready to provide support for the upcoming Circle and Downtown MRT Lines.

The underground structure will provide stabling of the trains, maintenance and operational control of the two rail lines. Transport Minister Raymond Lim visited the new facility on Friday, where he announced more rail lines ahead following a review of Singapore's land transport.

Kim Chuan Depot is Singapore's first underground depot - in fact, 17 metres down under. Measuring 11 hectares, or the size of 17 football fields, the depot is also the world's largest.

The $290 million depot will house several state-of-the-art facilities like its Operation Control Centre which will be manned by nine operators at any one time. Their role is to supervise the day-to-day operations of the trains and stations.

They can also communicate with passengers onboard trains, monitor CCTV images, or shut down the system if there is an emergency. Commuters will have a smoother ride too, with the help of what's called a cripple siding located between the two rail tracks.

Ong Boon Ann, Land Transport Authority's deputy director for Circle Line Systems, said: "When there's a defective train, a train that malfunctions, it can be moved to be parked at the cripple siding. This way, it will not impede any on-coming trains." Trains will be sent for maintenance at a workshop in the depot, and to facilitate checks, they will be hoisted by a special lifting system, considering that each train comprises three carriages and weighs about 120 tonnes.

The Land Transport Authority says 16 trains have arrived at the depot so far. Another 24 will be delivered by the end of this year, three months earlier than planned. The depot can accommodate 77 trains. The facility has a 23-metre high automatic storage and retrieval system, a first for a train depot. The depot also has a central warehouse for the Circle Line, storing three to five years worth of materials and spare parts needed for the maintenance work.

The place is packed with subterranean activities, but the ground level will not be neglected. About three hectares of land left empty will be used for light industrial development which can have buildings of up to nine storeys. - CNA/ir

Note: thanks to member JediAlf on skyscrapercity for posting the above article.

[jpatokal]

Khun jpatokal, is there anything new here as I thought that the outer circle line (North Shore - Black) had been planned from 2000 plus a NW line to Woodlands. Although, I had not seen the Eastern Regional before so perhaps this is new?
I think the only thing that's really new is some details of the alignments and official target dates for construction start and completion. The extent of the Tuas extension of the EW line was also a bit of a surprise. The lines themselves have been listed on the LTA site for years:

http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/proj_rail_future.htm

Note that the page above calls the Thomson Line the "Bukit Timah Line".

Hey this is great news as the 2010 Stage 1 opening always seemed a tad on the conservative side even if some parts of the Circle Line are now slated to be opened later than planned such as Nicoll Hwy (which did have the cave in) and Dakota.
I was actually very surprised by that announcement, as Stage 3 alone doesn't seem to connect anything particularly important... although it will provide a shortcut between the NS and NE lines that may prove faster than looping all the way through the city core. But why isn't Stage 2 opening as well, as the Nicoll Highway accident should only affect Stage 1? :confused:

[jpatokal]

I cannot really believe that this new depot could be the worlds largest (which means it will already surpass the Indo claim for the new Jakarta depot being SE Asias largest - see Indonesia railwatch thread). Perhaps the largest underground depot but then I thought that there were a large one in NY city?
AFAIK Singapore's only claiming the world's largest underground depot.

[mrtfreak]

I think the only thing that's really new is some details of the alignments and official target dates for construction start and completion. The extent of the Tuas extension of the EW line was also a bit of a surprise. The lines themselves have been listed on the LTA site for years:

http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/proj_rail_future.htm

Note that the page above calls the Thomson Line the "Bukit Timah Line".


I was actually very surprised by that announcement, as Stage 3 alone doesn't seem to connect anything particularly important... although it will provide a shortcut between the NS and NE lines that may prove faster than looping all the way through the city core. But why isn't Stage 2 opening as well, as the Nicoll Highway accident should only affect Stage 1? :confused:
Note, Bukit Timah Line and Thomson Line are two different lines altogether. The Bukit Timah Line (BTL) was amalgamated with the upper portion of the original Eastern Region Line (originally a 40-km orbital line of the current ERL and the eastern portion of the new line) and the Downtown Extension to become the Downtown Line.

The Thomson Line and Eastern Region Line are new lines announced.

Stage 3 of the CCL will open first as it is the most structurally complete with all station entrances already taking shape. Stage 2 was delayed as the contractor for 3 out of the 5 stations was the same joint-venture as that for Nicoll Highway and more checks were needed as such. Also, a building was declared unsafe for use next to the Paya Lebar station site which further delayed the already complicated Paya Lebar interchange construction hence only 1 station on Stage 2 is ready. It is not known if this station (Tai Seng) will commence operation along with the rest of Stage 3.

In Summary:
BTL + DTE + upper ERL = DTL
TSL = New line
ERL = old lower ERL

CCL Stage 3 to open by 2009
Pilot scheme for screen doors at Pasir Ris, Yishun, Jurong East by 2009
BLE to open by 2009

CCL Stage 1, 2 to open by 2010

CCL Stage 4, 5 to open by 2011

New trains for EWL, NSL by 2012
All elevated stations to have screen doors by 2012
CCL Marina Bay extension (Bayfront, Marina Bay stations) by 2012

DTL Stage 1 (Originally DTE) by 2013

DTL Stage 2 (Originally BTL) by 2015
Tuas Extension (5 new stations after Joo Koon) by 2015
NSL Marina South Extension (1 new station after Marina Bay) by 2015

DTL Stage 3 (Originally old upper ERL) by 2016

TSL by 2018

ERL by 2020

The lines have been announced and are guaranteed to be built now. The exception is the Jurong Region Line (JRL) which has run into problems.

[mrtfreak]

AFAIK Singapore's only claiming the world's largest underground depot.
Like they claimed that the North East Line was the longest automated heavy rail line.

[jpatokal]

Note, Bukit Timah Line and Thomson Line are two different lines altogether. The Bukit Timah Line (BTL) was amalgamated with the upper portion of the original Eastern Region Line (originally a 40-km orbital line of the current ERL and the eastern portion of the new line) and the Downtown Extension to become the Downtown Line.

Stage 3 of the CCL will open first as it is the most structurally complete with all station entrances already taking shape. Stage 2 was delayed as the contractor for 3 out of the 5 stations was the same joint-venture as that for Nicoll Highway and more checks were needed as such. Also, a building was declared unsafe for use next to the Paya Lebar station site which further delayed the already complicated Paya Lebar interchange construction hence only 1 station on Stage 2 is ready. It is not known if this station (Tai Seng) will commence operation along with the rest of Stage 3.
I stand corrected. Thanks for the details! Exciting times ahead for us metrofans here in Sing... :cool:

[mrtfreak]

There was an article in a Chinese daily saying that the MRT would be extended to JB. Not sure what else was in there cause I don't read Chinese.

[jpatokal]

There was an article in a Chinese daily saying that the MRT would be extended to JB. Not sure what else was in there cause I don't read Chinese.
This comes up every few years, and it would make a lot of sense... but I think it's politically impossible. After all, there's already a perfectly usable rail link between the two countries, which both countries have conspired to cripple :mad:

[GWR]

This comes up every few years, and it would make a lot of sense... but I think it's politically impossible. After all, there's already a perfectly usable rail link between the two countries, which both countries have conspired to cripple :mad:

I also seem to remember reading recently that such a link might involve running conventional heavy-rail commuter trains on the existing (freight) track from Senoi Airport into Singapore. Apparently, it would only be necessary to build a fairly short branch into the airport. ???


Thursday February 14, 2008

MRT service to IDR being studied

COMMUTERS might be able to take the MRT to Johor one day.

Singapore and Malaysia have formed a working group to look at ways of improving transport links between the two countries.

One option being considered is to run Singapore’s MRT network into Johor, Singapore’s Ministry of Transport revealed on Tuesday.

If that gets the green light, The Straits Times understands the cross-border MRT service could start at the Woodlands station here and end at the Iskandar Development Region (IDR).

The area is a special economic zone spanning 2,200 sq km in south-west Johor – where a monorail system is proposed.

Both Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi agreed last May to set up the working group to find ways to create a hassle-free commute between the two countries.

But observers said several issues had to be addressed before this can happen.

One of the first challenges facing the working group is seeing whether a smart card can be used to allow citizens of the two countries to clear Immigration without having to wait for their passports to be stamped.

This is not the first time proposals have been made involving a northern expansion of the republic’s MRT system.

Back in 1997, then-prime minister Goh Chok Tong said a proposed electric train service from Malaysia could have terminals in Scotts Road, Suntec City or Marina South – locations with existing or planned MRT stations.

Former Malaysian premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, however, preferred the service “to terminate at Tanjong Pagar.”

While an MRT service to Johor Baru is still a vague proposition, relief may well be at hand for those who are caught regularly in the Causeway crush. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/14/asia/20320606&sec=asia

[mrtfreak]

The story has also appeared in the Straits Times twice. Its about time for the MRT to go to the JB CIQ. Been too many years without it. Or at least to the Woodlands CIQ first.

Having the MRT go to JB would also result in the termination of KTM services to Singapore I assume. This might be better in the long run to resolve the dispute between the two countries. And if the high speed rail link were to terminate at JB, it would also resolve issues with regards to Singapore's dislike for overhead power. Its a worthy investment, at least to me it is.

[Yappofloyd]

Note, Bukit Timah Line and Thomson Line are two different lines altogether. The Bukit Timah Line (BTL) was amalgamated with the upper portion of the original Eastern Region Line (originally a 40-km orbital line of the current ERL and the eastern portion of the new line) and the Downtown Extension to become the Downtown Line.

The Thomson Line and Eastern Region Line are new lines announced.

Stage 3 of the CCL will open first as it is the most structurally complete with all station entrances already taking shape. Stage 2 was delayed as the contractor for 3 out of the 5 stations was the same joint-venture as that for Nicoll Highway and more checks were needed as such. Also, a building was declared unsafe for use next to the Paya Lebar station site which further delayed the already complicated Paya Lebar interchange construction hence only 1 station on Stage 2 is ready. It is not known if this station (Tai Seng) will commence operation along with the rest of Stage 3.

In Summary:
BTL + DTE + upper ERL = DTL
TSL = New line
ERL = old lower ERL

CCL Stage 3 to open by 2009
Pilot scheme for screen doors at Pasir Ris, Yishun, Jurong East by 2009
BLE to open by 2009

CCL Stage 1, 2 to open by 2010

CCL Stage 4, 5 to open by 2011

New trains for EWL, NSL by 2012
All elevated stations to have screen doors by 2012
CCL Marina Bay extension (Bayfront, Marina Bay stations) by 2012

DTL Stage 1 (Originally DTE) by 2013

DTL Stage 2 (Originally BTL) by 2015
Tuas Extension (5 new stations after Joo Koon) by 2015
NSL Marina South Extension (1 new station after Marina Bay) by 2015

DTL Stage 3 (Originally old upper ERL) by 2016

TSL by 2018

ERL by 2020

The lines have been announced and are guaranteed to be built now. The exception is the Jurong Region Line (JRL) which has run into problems.

Thank you very much mrtfreak for the comprehensive overview and clarification of which stage, and line, is opening when.

So CCL stage 3 will be the first to open providing a connection between NSL & NEL but when in 2009 will it open, the last quarter?

[mrtfreak]

The Ministry was rather vague, they said something about mid-2009. It may be well after mid-2009 like the last quarter.

[jpatokal]

Some nice pics of the first stations to open, plus a tentative schedule:

http://sgforums.com/forums/2080/topics/322790

For 2009, July Stage 3, starts

1) Bartley (Above Bartley is Tai Seng)
2) Serangoon
3) Lorong Chuan
4) Bishan Street
5) Marymount (below Marymount is Thomson)

Maybe end of year 2009 or 2010 Stage 2 opens

1) Tai Seng (Above Tai Seng is Bartley)
2) Macpherson
3) Upper Paya Lebar (below Upper Paya Lebar is Dakota)

Mid 2011 or 2012 Stage 4 & 5 opens

1) Harbourfront
2) Telok Blangah
3) Labrador Park
4) Pasir Panjang
5) West Coast
6) Kent Ridge
7) One-north
8) Bouna Vista
9) Holland Village
10) Farrer Road
11) Botanic Gardens
12) Bukit Brown
13) Thomson (below thomson is Marymount)

In 2012 or 2013 Stage 1 opens

1) Dakota (Above Dakota is Upper Paya Lebar)
2) Mountbatten
3) Stadium
4) Nicoll Highway
5) Promenade
6) Esplanade
7) Bras Basah
8) Dhoby Ghaut

TOTAL 29 STATION TO DATE

So one more year to go until the first section -- but 4 or even 5 until the useful bits open. :(

[mrtfreak]

The LTA announced on Tuesday the stations under the Downtown Line stage 2.

Petir (serving Bukit Panjang, not indicated as an interchange station in speeches and located between Bukit Panjang and Ten Mile Junction LRT stations at the junction of Upper Bukit Timah and Petir Roads)*
Cashew (located at a junction with Cashew Road)*
Hillview (located at a junction with Hillview Avenue)*
Beauty World (located outside Beauty World shopping centre)*
Blackmore (located at a junction with Blackmore Road)*
Sixth Avenue (located near Sixth Avenue)*
Duchess (located near a junction with Duchess Avenue)*
Botanic Gardens (interchange to the Circle Line)
Stevens (located at a junction with Stevens Road)*
Newton (interchange with the North South Line)
Little India (interchange with the North East Line)
Rochor (located outside Tekka Mall)*

* Names are working names and not permanent. At the end of the month, the LTA will be holding a public feedback exercise to engaged the public in choosing suitable names for the stations online.

[jpatokal]

A project that's passed almost under the radar: SMRT's going to spend oodles of money (they ain't saying how much) to build an extra track at Jurong East. (http://sgforums.com/forums/2080/topics/323874) Why?

2. Currently, trains travelling to and from the Jurong East and Bukit Batok stations have to take turns arriving and departing from the shared middle platform at Jurong East station. This slows down the trains running through the Jurong East interchange station. JEMP, which entails adding a new track alignment [2.5 km] and platform at the Jurong East interchange station for the North-South MRT Lines, will overcome this infrastructural constraint. As a result, trains can be put through Jurong East station at shorter intervals.

See Wikipedia article for a track diagram (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurong_East_MRT_Station#Current_Station_Layout) to make sense of that. Basically, the NS line has only one track into the station, and they're going to add another one. This also raises the interesting question of whether this would allow future expansion of the NS line south of Jurong East towards Jurong Island itself?

And a parallel to Bangkok: BTS will eventually need a small-scale version of this to get around the one-platform bottleneck at Saphan Taksin.

[mrtfreak]

Technically, it is LTA that is constructing the extra track and platform, not SMRT. SMRT always goes for the cheaper option. LTA is also the one that added an extra platform at the existing Bishan station in preparation of it becoming an interchange with the Circle Line. Details are still sketchy for the Jurong East plan though.

[mrtfreak]

Yesterday the new air-conditioned platform at Bishan station for southbound trains (towards Marina Bay) opened for operation. The existing platform will be air-conditioned and upgraded in time for the opening of the Circle Line next year and will serve only northbound trains (towards Jurong East). Its quite a drastic upgrade when you think about it. Apparently, the capacity of the station has been boosted with the opening of the new platform.