Commuters using Singapore’s Circle Line are advised to plan alternative routes ahead of a scheduled service disruption from January 17 to April 19. Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow shared this on Tuesday, January 13, during a visit to the Serangoon Mass Rapid Transit station. The disruption is necessary to allow tunnel strengthening works to take place and is expected to affect about 480,000 commuters daily.
During these three months, trains will continue to run, but with some changes. Train services will operate on a single platform between Mountbatten, Dakota, and Paya Lebar stations. This will result in longer waiting times for commuters using this stretch of the line.
“There will still be some train service, but the headways will be significantly degraded to about 10 minutes, which means that if you take this route, you will probably have an additional 30 minutes added to your schedule, plus or minus,” said Mr Siow.
Alternative Routes and Shuttle Bus Services
Mr Siow encouraged commuters to avoid the affected stretch if possible. “If you can avoid taking this route, I would suggest you do so. If there are alternative pathways along the train network, then please try to take them,” he said.
One example given was for commuters travelling from the northeast to the west of Singapore. They can take the North East Line to Outram Park and then change to the East West Line instead of using the Circle Line.
To help commuters get familiar with these alternative routes, shuttle bus services started on January 5. In the first week of operations, around 6,000 commuters used the shuttle buses. From January 17, about 500 staff will be deployed on the ground to manage crowds and guide commuters. Signs, posters, and ushers were already seen at Serangoon station directing passengers to the shuttle services.
“Our hope is that some of the commuters will try this out, so that they know whether the route is suitable for them, or how long … it will take for them to take this journey,” said Mr Siow.
Why the Works Are Needed
When asked why the works were scheduled during the Chinese New Year period, Mr Siow said there is “no perfect time to do the work”. He explained that authorities had to balance commuter convenience with the time needed to bring in contractors and recruit manpower. “All that considered, we made the best effort,” he said.
Senior Group Director of Public Transport at the Land Transport Authority, Mr Yeo Teck Guan, said the first week of the disruption would be “slightly more disorienting for the commuters”. “In the steady state, we will have about 500 people on the ground, but in the first week, we will put more,” he added.
The tunnel strengthening works are being carried out due to a condition known as “tunnel squatting”, which happens when tunnel linings deform due to pressure from soft clay. In severe cases, this can lead to concrete cracking or spalling that may pose safety risks. The Land Transport Authority said underground preparation works are “intensifying”, with specialised equipment tested and contractors continuing training to prepare for the works.
