Phased early closure of East-West Line MRT stations from next month
SMRT sleeper replacement work in progress. Photo: SMRT
SINGAPORE — From Nov 15 until the end of the year, MRT stations between Bugis and Tanah Merah on the East-West Line (EWL) will close half an hour earlier from Sundays to Thursdays, except on the eve of public holidays, for sleeper replacement work.
The last train from Joo Koon terminating at Pasir Ris will leave at 11.13pm, while the last train from Pasir Ris terminating at Joo Koon will leave at 11.23pm. Train operator SMRT today (Oct 16) advised commuters who board trains after 11.15pm on the EWL to consider other transport arrangements from Nov 15.
Sleeper replacement work for the line will take place in three phases.
After the stretch between Bugis and Tanah Merah is completed, work on the stretches between Joo Koon and Jurong East, and between Pasir Ris and Tanah Merah will begin early next year. The third phase between Jurong East and Outram Park stations will be completed by early 2017.
The early closures will allow SMRT engineering staff an extra 30 minutes each night to work on the tracks.
Coupled with the three hours they already get to work on the tracks before service resumes each morning, the engineers will be able to replace 25 per cent more sleepers (the beams that support the rails) each night.
Commuters can expect a smoother and safer ride with the new sleepers, said an SMRT spokesperson today.
Previously, early closure of the North-South Line stations for a year until April enabled rail renewal work, including the replacement of about 96,000 timber sleepers with concrete ones, to be completed on schedule.
On the EWL, 92,000 timber sleepers are on track to be replaced by early 2017, said SMRT, which appealed for commuters’ understanding and patience.
In March, the Land Transport Authority and SMRT had said that the replacement of sleepers for the EWL was expected to be done by the end of next year. SMRT did not respond to queries on the delay. Since 2013, it has acquired more machinery for rail renewal.
Commuters who use the EWL said the early closure of MRT stations would cause some inconvenience.
Said Tampines resident Caroline Ong, 25, who works in an engineering firm in Jurong East: “I expect it’s going to be more difficult to grab a cab and buses will be more crowded late at night now.”
Mr Dickson Koh, 29, said nights out with colleagues and friends might have to end earlier.
The Bishan resident, who usually unwinds over drinks with friends at Tanjong Pagar after work, said: “It will affect my late-night plans, given that cabs are expensive and less frequent.”
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) student Xue Jianyue, whose classes end after 9.30pm, said he would have to watch the time, especially if he grabs supper with friends after school.
“I have to make sure I start queuing at NTU bus stops early, because there is a risk I might miss the last train because of crowded feeder and public buses out of campus ... I might (then) have to take a cab home and it will be costly,” said the 28-year-old, who lives near Thomson.
