Two new MRT lines are currently undergoing feasibility studies by the Land Transport Authority. The lines are aimed for completion in the 2040s and could potentially serve more than 400,000 households.
One of the proposed rail lines, Seletar Line, could serve areas including Woodlands, Sembawang, Sengkang West, Serangoon North, Whampoa, Kallang, and the Greater Southern Waterfront.
The second, tentatively called the Tengah Line, could supplement the transport network in the west and northwest regions to serve areas such as Tengah, Bukit Batok, Queensway, and Bukit Merah.
Subject to the results of LTA’s feasibility studies, the Seletar Line and Tengah Line could be joined, according to a speech by Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat in parliament on March 5.
Chee also announced LTA’s plans to proceed with the West Coast Extension (WCE), which will extend the Jurong Region Line (JRL) to connect with the Circle Line (CCL) and Cross Island Line (CRL).
The WCE will be implemented in two phases. The first phase is expected to extend the JRL from Pandan Reservoir Station to connect with the CRL by the late 2030s.
Meanwhile, its second phase aims to extend the JRL from West Coast Station to connect with the CCL’s Kent Ridge Station by the early 2040s.
Upon completion, the WCE will provide residents travelling from the West to the city centre with up to 20 minutes of time savings.
In planning for the future development of Singapore’s rail network, Chee also announced the government’s intentions to invest up to $1 billion over the next five years to maintain high-reliability standards in both newer and older train systems.
The investment is expected to go towards condition monitoring systems to enable more proactive and targeted maintenance, and new technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of rail maintenance. The investment will also help to provide workforce training programmes for rail workers.
“Together, these efforts to expand the rail network, enhance the management of rail assets, and upskill our rail workforce, will allow us to continue delivering convenient, reliable and resilient public transport for our commuters,” says LTA.
