Jump to content

East–West MRT line

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Paper9oll (talk | contribs) at 12:15, 4 January 2024 (Updated). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the MRT line in Singapore. For other similarly named rapid transit lines in other cities, see East–West line (disambiguation).


East–West Line
A C151B train at Tuas Link station, western terminus of the line
Overview
Native nameLaluan MRT Timur Barat
东西地铁线
கிழக்கு மேற்கு எம்ஆர்டி வழி
StatusOperational
OwnerLand Transport Authority
LocaleSingapore
Termini
Stations35
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemMass Rapid Transit (Singapore)
Services3
Operator(s)SMRT Trains (SMRT Corporation)
Depot(s)Tuas
Ulu Pandan
Changi
East Coast (Future)
Rolling stockKawasaki Heavy Industries C151 (KHI)
Siemens C651 (SIE)
Kawasaki–Nippon Sharyo C751B (KNS)
Kawasaki–Sifang C151A (KSF)
Kawasaki–Sifang C151B (KSF)
Kawasaki–Sifang C151C (KSF)
Alstom Movia R151 (ALS)
Daily ridership508,957 (July 2020)[1]
History
Opened12 December 1987; 37 years ago (1987-12-12) (as part of North South line)
4 November 1989; 35 years ago (1989-11-04) (renamed as East West line)
6 July 1990; 34 years ago (1990-07-06) (Initial line complete)
10 January 2001; 23 years ago (2001-01-10) (Expo)
18 October 2001; 23 years ago (2001-10-18) (Dover)
8 February 2002; 22 years ago (2002-02-08) (Changi Airport)
28 February 2009; 15 years ago (2009-02-28) (Boon Lay extension)
18 June 2017; 7 years ago (2017-06-18) (Tuas West extension)
Technical
Line length57.2 km (35.5 mi)
CharacterElevated (Pasir Ris – Kallang, Redhill – Tuas Link, Expo)
Underground (Lavender – Tiong Bahru, Changi Airport)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail
Operating speedlimited to 80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map

Legend
 EW1 
Pasir Ris
 CP1 
 CR5 
■
← to Punggol / Bright Hill
to Aviation Park →
Tampines Expressway
Sungei Tampines
 DT32 
■
Downtown Line
to Bukit Panjang
 EW2 
Tampines
Pan Island Expressway
 EW3 
Simei
 CG2 
Changi Airport
 DT35 
■
Downtown Line
to Sungei Bedok
 CG1 
Expo
Changi Depot
Sungei Bedok
 EW4   CG 
Tanah Merah
 EW5 
Bedok
 EW6 
Kembangan
 EW7 
Eunos
 EW8 
Paya Lebar
 CC9 
■
Circle Line
to Dhoby Ghaut or Marina Bay
 EW9 
Aljunied
 EW10 
Kallang
Kallang River
 EW11 
Lavender
 DT14 
■
← to Bukit Panjang
to Expo →
 EW12 
Bugis
■
North–South Line
to Jurong East
 NS25 
 EW13 
City Hall
Singapore River
 EW14 
 NS26 
Raffles Place
■
North–South Line
to Marina South Pier
■
Thomson–East Coast Line
to Bayshore
 EW15 
Tanjong Pagar
 NE3 
■
← to Punggol Coast
to HarbourFront →
 TE17 
 EW16 
Outram Park
■
Thomson–East Coast Line
to Woodlands North
 EW17 
Tiong Bahru
 EW18 
Redhill
 EW19 
Queenstown
 EW20 
Commonwealth
 CC22 
■
Circle Line
to HarbourFront
 EW21 
Buona Vista
 EW22 
Dover
 EW23 
Clementi
 CR17 
■
← to Aviation Park
to Jurong Lake District →
Sungei Ulu Pandan
Ulu Pandan Depot
Sungei Pandan
■
Jurong Region Line
to Pandan Reservoir
 NS1 

 EW24 

 JE5 
Jurong East
■
North–South Line
to Marina South Pier
■
Jurong Region Line
to Tengah
 EW25 
Chinese Garden
 EW26 
Lakeside
 EW27 
Boon Lay
 JS8 
■
← to Tawas
to Jurong Pier →
 EW28 
Pioneer
 EW29 
Joo Koon
Pan Island Expressway
Ayer Rajah Expressway
 EW30 
Gul Circle
 EW31 
Tuas Crescent
 EW32 
Tuas West Road
 EW33 
Tuas Link
Tuas Depot
Ayer Rajah Expressway
Singapore Rail Test Centre
This diagram:

The East–West Line (EWL) is a high-capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line operated by SMRT in Singapore, running from Pasir Ris station in the east to Tuas Link station in the west, with an additional branch between Changi Airport and Tanah Merah stations. It is the second Mass Rapid Transit line to be built in Singapore. Coloured green on the rail map, the line serves 35 stations, 8 of which (from Lavender to Tiong Bahru and Changi Airport stations) are underground.[2] At 57.2 kilometres (35.5 mi), the line is the longest on the MRT network.

Constructed and opened as part of the North–South Line (NSL) in the early stages of development, the East–West Line was the second rail line formed in Singapore after NSL, with the opening of the eastern extension to Tanah Merah on the EWL in 1989. Nevertheless, both lines uses identical signalling equipment and rolling stock. The East–West Line signalling systems have been upgraded along with the North–South Line, with both MRT lines having its signalling upgraded completely, converting it from semi-automatic to fully automated operations.

History

The first segment of what would become the East–West Line, between City Hall to Outram Park stations, was opened on 12 December 1987 as part of the North–South Line.[3] It was extended westwards to Clementi station on 12 March 1988.[4] During the construction of the extension to Clementi station, Commonwealth Avenue West was realigned to accommodate the viaduct.[5] The line was later extended to Lakeside on 5 November 1988.[6] The 15-kilometre (9.3 mi) eastern extension to Tanah Merah station opened on 4 November 1989, and the opening ceremony was attended by then First Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.[7][8] At that point, the East–West Line was formed, reflecting the operational split from the North–South Line which has at the same time extended to Marina Bay station, and uses a green coloured theme.

The 6-kilometre (3.7 mi) line extension to Pasir Ris station was opened ahead of schedule on 16 December 1989[8][9] with a sneak preview beforehand.[10] Boon Lay station opened on 6 July 1990, marking the completion of the initial MRT system.[11]

Subsequent developments

Dover station

Dover station, the first infill station on the MRT network.

Construction on a new infill station Dover station between Buona Vista station and Clementi station began in June 1998. The building of the station was met with reservations by some members of the public over the small area it serviced and there were criticisms over the spending of "taxpayers' money" chiefly for use only by students of one educational institution.[12] Despite some opposition, the Land Transport Authority proceeded with the construction to serve commuters along Singapore Polytechnic with Dover housing estate.[13][14] On 18 October 2001, Dover was opened.[15] Prior to opening, test runs were conducted from 13 to 17 October 2001 when the trains stopped at this station but did not open their doors. Dover is the first station in the MRT network to be built as an infill station.[16]

Tanah Merah to Airport extension line

Changi Airport station.

The idea of extending the Mass Rapid Transit system to Changi Airport was reconsidered when Terminal 3 of the airport was being built.[17] Earlier plans had long been made for a new line branching off from the existing East–West Line at Tanah Merah,[18] with some conceptual plans showing a tentative route alignment up to the airport along Airport Boulevard, continuing beyond the airport to Changi Point, before turning southwest back towards the city along the eastern coasts. The plans were finally announced by then Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 15 November 1996.[19] However, the new route alignment showed a deviation from previous plans,[20][21] where the final plan involved in building only the first two stations of Expo, and Changi Airport, the latter being the underground station built between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. The alignment of the station at the airport also switched perpendicularly to an east–west direction, such that the station leads to two of the terminals directly from either end of the station. The station's designs were unveiled on 10 February 1998 with construction starting on 29 January 1999.[22][23] Expo and Changi Airport were opened on 10 January 2001 and 8 February 2002 respectively and operates under a shuttle service. Prior to 22 July 2003, train services from Boon Lay commences after the opening, but were later reverted to shuttle services due to low patronage.[24][25] On 25 May 2019, it was announced that the Changi Airport Extension will be converted to become part of Thomson-East Coast line Extension (TELe) by 2040.[26]

Boon Lay and Tuas extension

Tuas Link MRT station under construction.

The 3.8-kilometre (2.4 mi) Boon Lay extension was first announced by the LTA on 29 December 2004, set to serve residents from the Jurong West Town area and those working in the Jurong Industrial Estate.[27] The two stations, Pioneer and Joo Koon stations, officially opened on 28 February 2009.[28][29]

On 11 January 2011, the Tuas West extension, an extension of the East–West Line from Joo Koon to Tuas Link was announced.[30] The extension has a span of 7.5 kilometres (4.7 mi), which spans a twin-tracked MRT viaduct, four above-ground stations and a 26-hectare depot to provide stabling and maintenance facilities for the additional trains that will be bought for the extension and to cater for future expansion of the line.[31] The viaduct is integrated with part of a 4.8-kilometre-long (3.0 mi) road viaduct along Pioneer Road, which will increase the road capacity to cope with anticipated increase in traffic. The stations are Gul Circle, Tuas Crescent, Tuas West Road, and Tuas Link. On 4 May 2012, the Land Transport Authority marked the start of construction of the Tuas West extension with a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future Tuas Link station.[32][33]

The extension began service on 18 June 2017.[34][35][36] During initial stages after opening, the westbound trains will alternate their terminus between Joo Koon and Tuas Link, where for every two trains, one train will terminate at the former, while the other train will terminate at the latter.[37]

Additional platform at Tanah Merah station

On 25 August 2014, the Land Transport Authority announced that a new platform will be constructed at Tanah Merah, enabling faster travel and shorter waiting times for commuters heading towards Expo and Changi Airport on the Changi Airport branch line of the East–West Line.[38]

On 26 October 2016, the Land Transport Authority awarded the civil contract to Lum Chang Building Contractors Pte. Ltd. to build a new platform at Tanah Merah and viaducts for a contract sum of S$325 million. In addition to the new platforms, the existing East–West Line tracks will be extended to connect the line to the new four-in-one East Coast Integrated Depot at Changi.[39] When completed in 2024, it will be the second station to have triple island platforms after Jurong East.

Half-height platform screen door installations

There were calls for platform screen doors (PSDs) to be installed at above-ground stations after several incidents in which passengers were killed or seriously injured by oncoming trains when they fell onto the railway tracks at above-ground stations. Underground stations already featured the doors since 1987. The authorities initially rejected the proposal by casting doubts over functionality and concerns about the high installation costs,[40] but made an about-turn later with the government announcing plans to install half-height platform screen doors on the elevated stations on 25 January 2008, citing lower costs due to it becoming a more common feature worldwide.[41] They were first installed at Jurong East, Pasir Ris, and Yishun stations in 2009 as trial runs.[42][43] On 31 August 2011, the LTA announced completion of the installation of PSDs along the East–West Line, with Expo being the last station on the line to receive the PSDs.[44] Installation of PSDs across both the North South and East–West lines (NSEWL) were completed on 14 March 2012, 3 months ahead of schedule.[45]

Improvement works

Timber to concrete sleeper replacement works

The timber sleepers on the East–West Line was required to be replaced as they were near the end of their 25-year lifespan. The replacement sleepers, made of concrete, have a significantly longer lifespan.[46] To speed up works, train services on the East–West Line was adjusted to end earlier. The work was divided into three phases: Phase 1 (Bugis – Tanah Merah), Phase 2 (Joo Koon – Jurong East, Tanah Merah – Pasir Ris) and Phase 3 (Jurong East – Outram Park). The sleepers were fully replaced on 18 February 2017.[47]

Re-signalling works

A new moving-block signalling system, supplied by Thales, replaced the former ageing fixed-block signalling system on the East–West Line. The new signalling system, costing $195 million, reduces waiting times for trains during peak periods from 120 seconds then to 100 seconds now.[48] The new system became operational between Pioneer and Tuas Link stations on 18 June 2017. Newer rolling stocks, such as the C151B and C151C, are equipped for use solely on the new signalling system.[49] Since 27 May 2018, the new signalling system has been operating full-day on the entire East–West Line.

Third-rail replacement

Replacement works on the third rail, which provides electricity to the trains, were carried out between September 2015 and August 2017.[50] The new third rail replaced its 30-year-old predecessor and is expected to increase reliability of the East–West line's electrical system.[51]

Pasir Ris turnback extension

Work to extend the turnback at the eastern terminus of the line, Pasir Ris, commenced in 2019. The work will allow an increase in service frequency at peak times from 30 to 36 trains per hour.[52]

Incidents

1993 Clementi train collision

Main article: Clementi rail accident

On 5 August 1993, before opening, a maintenance vehicle spilt oil on the tracks between Clementi and Jurong East. The first ten eastbound trains reported braking problems, then the eleventh train from Jurong stopped at the Clementi station for two minutes longer than scheduled due to it using its emergency brakes to stop at the station at 7.50 am, before being hit by another eastbound train when it failed to stop in time. 156 passengers were injured by the collision.[53]

7 July 2015 power trip

During the evening peak hours on 7 July 2015, train services on the East–West and North–South Lines were temporarily disrupted due to massive power trips detected along both lines. The cause of the disruption was due to damaged insulators which had resulted in the failure of the power supply.[54] For this disruption that brought inconvenience to 413,000 commuters, LTA imposed a 'record' fine of S$5.4 million on SMRT.[55]

22 March 2016 staff fatalities

Main article: Pasir Ris rail accident

At about 11.08 am on 22 March 2016, two SMRT track-maintenance trainee staff were killed after a C151 train approaching Pasir Ris station ran over them,[56] resulting in a temporarily service delay between Tanah Merah and Pasir Ris for about 2.5 hours and affected at least 10,000 commuters.[57]

In a report, the two trainee staff joined SMRT in January 2016 and worked as technicians under a technical team of 15 staff led by a supervisor and were tasked to go down to the tracks to investigate an alarm triggered by a possible signalling equipment fault close by the station. An operator cited that they were granted access to the tracks, but did not coordinate with a Signal Unit in the station to ensure trains could not travel in the area where the team was.[58]

Patrick Nathan, SMRT vice-president, promised that "SMRT will review all safety protocols particularly those involving track access".[59] SMRT chief executive Desmond Kuek apologised for the incident and said SMRT will investigate how "the [two men] got hit by the train". SMRT fired both an engineer responsible for leading with the team and the train driver who was involved at the scene of the accident.

On 2 December 2016, SMRT was formally accused of failing to ensure that its employees complied with approved operating procedures when accessing the track; SMRT was then pleaded guilty to its charges on 28 February 2017 and incurred a S$400,000 fine.[60] Investigations are still ongoing against the two men, Teo Wee Kiat (SMRT's director of control operations) and Lim Say Heng, both charged for the incident.[61]

15 November 2017 train collision and delays

Main article: Joo Koon rail accident

A second train collision occurred on 15 November 2017 at approximately 8.18am, where two C151A trains collided at Joo Koon MRT station. A train fault caused the first train heading in the direction of Tuas Link to stall at the station. A minute later, a second train stopped behind the first and then "moved forward unexpectedly" to cause the collision. 38 people, which include two SMRT staff were hospitalized.[62][63][64][65][66][67]

Train services between Tuas Link and Joo Koon stations were temporally suspended on both directions for two hours on the day itself and the entire day on 16 November 2017, resulting that the westbound trains would temporarily terminate at Joo Koon.[68][69]

An update by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) & SMRT on 16 November 2017 stated that LTA and SMRT have decided to isolate for up to one month the operations of the Tuas West extension, which runs on the new signalling system, from the rest of the East–West Line, which runs on the old signalling system, enabling LTA engineers to carry out further assurance checks together with Thales. The train was switching systems when the collision took place.[70] Train service on the line resumed on 20 November, with the Tuas West extension between Gul Circle and Tuas Link using the new signalling system and the section between Pasir Ris and Joo Koon, together with the Changi Airport Branch continuing to run on the old signalling system. Train services between Joo Koon and Gul Circle were temporarily suspended until its resumption on 28 May 2018; between the suspension a free bridging bus service is available between the two stations. Continuous service between Pasir Ris and Gul Circle resumed on 28 May 2018, with the permanent activation of the new CBTC system; since the incident, selected portions of either North South or East–West Line were closed to conduct track renewal works with early weekend closures and later station openings.[71]

Network and operations

Route

Geographically accurate map of the East–West MRT line.

As its name implies, the East–West Line connects central Singapore to both eastern and western parts of the island, with an additional branch between Changi Airport and Tanah Merah, which operates as a separate shuttle service. It is 57.2 kilometers (35.5 miles) long and it is predominantly double-tracked, but certain short sections at Tanah Merah, Outram Park and Joo Koon widens to three tracks, four tracks nearby Jurong East station and a section between Jurong East and Clementi station and five tracks nearby Changi Depot and Tanah Merah station.

Some stations are commonly placed at the middle of the roads such as Tanah Merah, Bedok, Queenstown, Commonwealth, Dover, Clementi, Pioneer, Joo Koon, Gul Circle, Tuas Crescent and Tuas West Road. The line runs mostly on overhead viaducts but goes underground in the city area between Kallang and Redhill, Bedok and Kembangan, and between Expo and Changi Airport. Travelling from one end of the line to the other takes about 85 minutes.

The line begins above ground at Pasir Ris station from where it continues to head south towards Simei station. The line curves between Simei to Tanah Merah stations and continues westwards, joining the Changi Airport branch, paralleling New Upper Changi Road. Two branch lines to Changi Depot and to Changi Airport station exists between Simei and Tanah Merah stations. At Tanah Merah station, the line extends to four tracks due to its interchange with the Changi branch before turning back into two tracks in a western direction.

From Bedok station to Kembangan station, the line goes underground but then goes above-ground, and follows the route of Sims Avenue and Sims Avenue East in an opposite direction. After Kallang station, the line goes underground through the Central Area and runs heads south-west towards City Hall station. It then runs parallel to the North–South Line between City Hall and Raffles Place stations, which are cross-platform interchanges to the North–South Line. After Tanjong Pagar, the line curves northwestwards towards Outram Park. After Tiong Bahru, the line continues above ground starting with Redhill station and follows the direction of Commonwealth Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue West and Boon Lay Way. Between Clementi and Jurong East station, three branches (one going east and two going west) to Ulu Pandan Depot are deployed. At Jurong East station, the line extends again to four tracks due to its interchange with the North-South line but then, separates into two before heading west to Chinese Garden station. After Pioneer station, the line heads south-west before curving westwards towards Joo Koon station. The line terminates at Tuas Link with a branch heading towards Tuas Depot.

The Changi Airport extension starts at Tanah Merah station as a single track before turning eastwards to Expo station. After Expo station, it goes underground and curves south before terminating at Changi Airport station.

The East–West Line was constructed along the North–South Line. As such, both lines used identical signalling equipment and rolling stock.

Stations

The line serves 35 stations across 57.2 kilometres (35.5 mi) of track, and station codes for the line are green, corresponding to the line's colour on the system map.[72][73] 8 stations, including Changi Airport, and 7 other stations on the stretch from Lavender to Tiong Bahru are underground, with the rest being elevated. With the exception of Dover, all stations have island platforms.

East–West Line stations timeline
Date Project Description
7 November 1987 Phase 1 Yio Chu Kang – Toa Payoh (Now part of the North-South Line)
12 December 1987 Toa Payoh – Outram Park (Direct train service to Outram Park via Raffles Place)
12 March 1988 Phase 1A Outram Park – Clementi
5 November 1988 Phase 2B Clementi – Lakeside
20 December 1988 Yio Chu Kang – Yishun (Now part of the North-South Line)
4 November 1989 Phase 2A City Hall – Tanah Merah (Separation of the North-South Line & East–West Line)
16 December 1989 Tanah Merah – Pasir Ris
10 March 1990 Phase 2B Jurong East – Choa Chu Kang (Operates as a branch line from Jurong East, now part of the North-South Line)
6 July 1990 Lakeside – Boon Lay
10 January 2001 Changi Airport Extension Tanah Merah – Expo
18 October 2001 Dover Station Dover station between Buona Vista and Clementi
8 February 2002 Changi Airport Extension Expo – Changi Airport
28 February 2009 Boon Lay Extension Boon Lay – Joo Koon
18 June 2017 Tuas West Extension Joo Koon – Tuas Link
16 November 2017 Temporary closure of Joo Koon – Tuas Link (Due to a train collision at Joo Koon)
20 November 2017 Reopening of Gul Circle – Tuas Link (Reopens as a separate line, transfer between Joo Koon & Gul Circle)
28 May 2018 Reopening of Joo Koon – Gul Circle (Merges into one line)

Legend


Elevated		  
Line terminus
Transfer outside paid area

Ground-level
Wheelchair accessible
Bus interchange

Underground
Civil Defence Shelter 		     
Other transportation modes

List

Station code Station name Images Interchange;
Adjacent transportation 		Opening Cost

 EW1  CR5   CP1 
 		 Pasir Ris   Cross Island Line  (2030)
  CRL Punggol Extension  (2032)
―
 Pasir Ris
16 December 1989;
35 years ago
 S$5 billion
 EW2 – DT32 
  		 Tampines   Downtown Line  
―
 Tampines
 Tampines Concourse
 EW3 
 		 Simei —
 EW4   CG  
 		 Tanah Merah   EWL Changi Airport Branch Line  (until 2040)
  Thomson–East Coast Line  (after 2040)
4 November 1989;
35 years ago
 EW5 
 		 Bedok  Bedok
 EW6 
 		 Kembangan —
 EW7 
 		 Eunos  Eunos
 EW8  CC9 
 		 Paya Lebar   Circle Line 
 EW9 
 		 Aljunied —
 EW10 
 		 Kallang  Lorong 1 Geylang
 EW11 
  		 Lavender —
 EW12  DT14 
  		 Bugis   Downtown Line 
 EW13  NS25 
  		 City Hall   North–South Line 
12 December 1987;
37 years ago
 EW14  NS26 
  		 Raffles Place   North–South Line 
 EW15 
 		 Tanjong Pagar
 EW16  NE3  TE17 
  		 Outram Park   North East Line 
  Thomson–East Coast Line  
 EW17 
  		 Tiong Bahru
12 March 1988;
36 years ago
 EW18 
 		 Redhill —
 EW19 
 		 Queenstown
 EW20 
 		 Commonwealth
 EW21  CC22 
  		 Buona Vista   Circle Line 
―
 Buona Vista
 Ghim Moh
 EW22 
 		 Dover —
18 October 2001;
23 years ago
 S$45 million[74]
 EW23  CR17 
 		 Clementi   Cross Island Line  (2032)
―
 Clementi
12 March 1988;
36 years ago
 S$5 billion

 EW24  NS1  JE5 
 		 Jurong East   North–South Line 
  JRL East Branch  (2028)
―
 Jurong East
5 November 1988;
36 years ago
 EW25 
 		 Chinese Garden —
 EW26 
 		 Lakeside
 EW27  JS8 
 		 Boon Lay   Jurong Region Line  (2027)
―
 Boon Lay
6 July 1990;
34 years ago
 EW28 
 		 Pioneer —
28 February 2009;
15 years ago
 S$436 million[75]
 EW29 
 		 Joo Koon  Joo Koon
 EW30 
 		 Gul Circle —
18 June 2017;
7 years ago
 S$3.5 billion[76]
 EW31 
 		 Tuas Crescent
 EW32 
 		 Tuas West Road

 EW33 
 		 Tuas Link  Tuas
―
 Tuas Checkpoint 
Changi Airport Line (CAL)

Spur line to be integrated into the  Thomson–East Coast Line  by 2040[77][78]

 CG1  DT35  
  		 Expo   Downtown Line 
10 January 2001;
23 years ago
 S$850 million[79]

 CG2  
 		 Changi Airport  Changi Airport
―
 Changi Airport Terminals 1–4 
8 February 2002;
22 years ago

SMRT used to operate the branch sector of Tanah Merah to Changi Airport as a through service from Boon Lay from 18 November 2001 until 22 July 2003, when it was replaced with a shuttle service. By 2040, the Changi Airport line (CAL) will be converted to the Thomson-East Coast line.[77][78]

Depots

Number Depot name;
Lines 		Location Images Line-specific
stabling capacity 		Cost Opening Footnotes
1
   Changi  (until 2025) Changi 35 trains S$250 million
4 November 1989;
35 years ago
2
   Ulu Pandan 
  NSL 		 Jurong East 45 trains S$130 million
12 March 1988;
36 years ago
3
   Tuas  Tuas 60 trains S$237.1 million[80]
18 June 2017;
7 years ago
4
   East Coast  (after 2025) Changi Does not appear 72 trains S$1.99 billion[81][82][83]
2025;
1 year's time
 Under construction, shares the same depot with Downtown line and Thomson-East Coast line.

Infrastructure

Rolling stock

A variety of rolling stock on the East West Line
Various older generation rolling stock of the East West Line parked at Ulu Pandan Depot.
The newer rolling stock of C151B at Chinese Garden station.

Seven batches of rolling stock operate on the East–West Line, namely the C151, C651, C751B, C151A, C151B, C151C and R151 from oldest to newest, of which the first six types are also operated on the North–South Line. Trains are maintained at Changi Depot, Ulu Pandan Depot and Tuas Depot, which provide train maintenance, inspection and overhaul facilities.[84][85][86] These models of rolling stock were introduced to boost the capacity on both the North South and the East–West lines in order to cope with increasing ridership.[87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94]

Both the North South and the East–West lines utilized identical rolling stock up until the 2010s, when the C151A trains were temporary suspended from operating on the North–South Line from January 2012 until November 2013 following the 2011 train disruptions.[95][96][97][98][99][100] The C151B trains, which were introduced in April 2017, did not begin revenue service on the full stretch of the East–West Line until the line's trial of the CBTC signalling system in May 2018.[101][102][103] The C151C trains, despite their introduction on 30 September 2018 on the North South Line, only made their full day debut on the East–West Line on 4 November 2023.[104][105]

Another generation of rolling stock, the R151 trains, will be delivered from 2022 to 2026, to replace all 66 first-generation C151, all 19 second-generation C651 and all 21 third-generation C751B trains which will be retired. The R151 trains are the first rolling stock on the East–West Line to be manufactured by Bombardier (Bought by Alstom in 2021), which has also supplied trains for the Downtown Line.[106][107][108] The first train entered service on the East–West Line on 4 June 2023.

Train control

Half-Platform Screen Doors installed in Tanah Merah station

The East–West Line is equipped with Thales SelTrac communications-based train control (CBTC) moving block signalling system[109] with automatic train control (ATC) under automatic train operation (ATO) GoA 4 (UTO).[110] The subsystems consist of automatic train protection (ATP) to govern train speed, NetTrac MT Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) to track and schedule trains and a computer-based interlocking (CBI) system that prevents incorrect signal and track points to be set.[111]

The old signalling system has undergone decommissioning work from August 2018 and was completed on 23 November 2018.[112] It consists of Westinghouse fixed block signalling system with Automatic train control (ATC) under Automatic train operation (ATO) GoA 2 (STO).[113] The subsystems consist of Automatic train protection (ATP) to govern train speed, Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) to track and schedule trains and a Relay interlocking system that prevents incorrect signal and track points to be set.

The stretch of track between Pioneer and Tuas Link stations was equipped with the new signalling system which came into use in June 2017. As the section of track between Pioneer and Joo Koon support 'mixed-mode' of both signalling systems, trains terminating at either Joo Koon or Tuas Link would have to change signalling modes at Pioneer MRT station as trains terminating at Joo Koon would proceed to a turn back siding which was built as part of the TWE which only supports the new signalling system. Eastbound trains towards Pasir Ris would have to change back to the old signalling system at Pioneer MRT station. This procedure was removed after the train collision at Joo Koon as trains terminated at Joo Koon. The new signalling system became fully operational on 28 May 2018.[71]

Automatic full-height platform screen doors by Westinghouse were originally installed in all underground stations since opening, and half-height platform screen doors by ST Engineering's Electronics sector were installed by August 2011 on elevated stations. Tuas West extension stations have half-height platform screen doors, manufactured by Fangda.

The line's Changi Branch is featured in tvN series Little Women.[114]

References

  1. ^ "Land Transport DataMall". mytransport.sg. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  2. ^ "East-West Line". Singapore: Land Transport Authority. 29 January 2014. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  3. ^ Rav, Dhaliwal (12 December 1987). "Shopping for Xmas the MRT way..." Straits Times. Archived from the original on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2017 – via eResources.
  4. ^ "Riding the MRT train to Clementi". The Business Times. 12 March 1988. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Road to be realigned for MRT". The Straits Times. 21 November 1984. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Three more stations for MRT system". The Business Times. 5 November 1988. Archived from the original on 20 October 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2018 – via NewspaperSG.
  7. ^ "On right track". The Straits Times. 4 November 1989. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020.
  8. ^ a b Dhaliwal, Rav (5 November 1986). "MRT Trains to Pasir Ris from Dec 16". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020.
  9. ^ "MRT goes all the way east". The Straits Times. 17 December 1989. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Residents get sneak preview of three new MRT stations". The Straits Times. 15 December 1989. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Dr Yeo launches sale of commemorative tickets for the MRT". The Straits Times. 9 June 1990.
  12. ^ Leong, Yit Chun (19 August 2002). "Public should not subsidise new MRT stations". The Straits Times Forum.
  13. ^ "S'pore Poly to be linked to MRT". The Straits Times. 30 July 1997. p. 3.
  14. ^ "Doorstep train". TODAY news. 5 October 2001. p. 8.
  15. ^ Fook Kong, Lau (13 July 2001). "Next Stop: Dover". The Straits Times. p. 8.
  16. ^ "Trial Runs at Dover". TODAY news. 13 October 2001. p. 6.
  17. ^ "MRT extension to airport reconsidered". The Straits Times. 2 August 1994.
  18. ^ "Next Stop: Changi Airport?". The New Paper. 2 August 1994.
  19. ^ "Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Employees' Union (SMRTEU)'s annual Dinner and Dance" (PDF). NAS. 15 November 1996. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  20. ^ "MRT Line will not go beyond passenger terminals". The Straits Times. 12 December 1996. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  21. ^ "Changi Airport MRT line details". The Business Times. 12 December 1996. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  22. ^ "Changi Airport MRT station designed for travellers". The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB). 11 February 1998. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  23. ^ "Changi Airport Line Ground Breaking Ceremony". NAS. 29 January 1999. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  24. ^ "Boon Lay to Expo: MRT now running". The Straits Times. 20 December 2001.
  25. ^ "Board MRT to airport from Tanah Merah". The Straits Times. 18 July 2003.
  26. ^ "LTA to assess the feasibility of new rail line connecting northeast and south Singapore". CNA. 25 May 2019. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  27. ^ "Expanding The Rail Network: LTA To Build Boon Lay MRT Extension". Land Transport Authority. 29 December 2004. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011.
  28. ^ "Boon Lay Extension to Open in February 2009". LTA. 30 October 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  29. ^ "Boon Lay MRT Extension". www.engleepl.com.sg. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  30. ^ "Speech by Mr Raymond Lim at the visit to Bedok MRT Station on 11 Jan 2011". www.nas.gov.sg. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  31. ^ "Speech (Part 1 – Public Transport) by Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Transport, for COS 2012". 7 March 2012. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  32. ^ "Construction Starts for Tuas West extension" (Press release). Singapore: Land Transport Authority. 4 May 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014.
  33. ^ "Speech by Mr Lui Tuck Yew at the Tuas West Extension Groundbreaking Ceremony on 4 May 2012". MOT. 4 May 2012. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  34. ^ "Tuas West extension Opens on 18 June 2017" (Press release). Land Transport Authority. 27 April 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  35. ^ "Tuas West extension MRT stations to open Jun 18". Channel NewsAsia. Singapore. 27 April 2017. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  36. ^ Lim, Kenneth (16 June 2017). "Opening of the Tuas West extension". Channel NewsAsia. Singapore. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  37. ^ "Trains at 4 new stations on East-West Line's Tuas West extension to start plying on June 18". The Straits Times. Singapore. 5 June 2017. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  38. ^ "New Platform at Tanah Merah MRT Station for Faster Travel to Expo and Changi Airport | Press Room | Land Transport Authority". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  39. ^ "LTA Awards Civil Contract to Build A New Platform at Tanah Merah Station | Press Room | Land Transport Authority". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  40. ^ "Safety at MRT and LRT Stations — Respect The Yellow Line" (Press release). Land Transport Authority. 20 November 2005. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012.
  41. ^ "Platform screen doors for all above-ground MRT stations by 2012". The Straits Times. Singapore. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 28 January 2008.
  42. ^ Yeo Ghim Lay (3 September 2008). "Platform doors for elevated MRT stations". The Straits Times. Singapore. p. 26.
  43. ^ "Installation of Half Height Platform Screen Doors Pasir Ris Station". Land Transport Authority. 12 August 2009. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  44. ^ "Completion of Half Height Platform Screen Doors on East West Line" (Press release). Land Transport Authority. 31 August 2011. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  45. ^ "LTA completes installing elevated MRT station screen doors early". 14 March 2012. Archived from the original on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  46. ^ "SMRT Rail Improvements – Updates – SMRT Blog". blog.smrt.com.sg. 17 October 2016. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  47. ^ Koh, Valerie (17 October 2015). "Phased early closure of East-West Line MRT stations from next month". Today. Singapore. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  48. ^ "LTA and SMRT Award Contracts for New Trains and Re-Signalling Project" (Press release). Land Transport Authority. 1 February 2012. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  49. ^ Lim, Adrian (20 November 2015). "New MRT projects and upgrades to existing lines are on track, says LTA". The Straits Times. Singapore. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  50. ^ "FACTSHEET ON POWER RAIL REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE NORTHSOUTH AND EAST-WEST LINES" (PDF). 12 September 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  51. ^ "Third Rail Replacement of the North-South East-West Line". The SMRT Blog. 15 December 2015. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  52. ^ Hamzah, Aqil (23 December 2022). "Shorter waiting times for commuters when railway turnback at Pasir Ris MRT station completes in 2024". The Straits Times. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  53. ^ Singapore, National Library Board. "First MRT accident – Infopedia". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  54. ^ Malinda, Kyle (22 August 2015). "Cause of massive NSEWL train disruption in July identified, says SMRT". Channel NewsAsia. Singapore. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  55. ^ "SMRT to be fined a record S$5.4m for July 7 MRT breakdown". Channel NewsAsia. Singapore. 23 September 2015. Archived from the original on 17 January 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  56. ^ Seow Bei Yi; Lim, Adrian; Driscoll, Shea (23 March 2016). "SMRT accident: 2 men were part of group of 15 led by supervisor and walking facing oncoming train". The Straits Times. Singapore. Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  57. ^ "2 SMRT staff dead in accident near Pasir Ris station". Channel NewsAsia. Singapore. 22 March 2016. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  58. ^ "SMRT acknowledges safety procedure not followed before fatal accident". Channel NewsAsia. Singapore. 23 March 2016. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  59. ^ Lee Min Kok; Seow Bei Yi; Lim, Adrian (23 March 2016). "2 SMRT Staff killed in MRT accident were Singaporeans aged 24 and 26 and undergoing on-the-job training". The Straits Times. Singapore. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  60. ^ "SMRT fined $400k over fatal accident". The Straits Times. 1 March 2017. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  61. ^ "SMRT, 2 others charged over fatal track accident". The Straits Times. 2 December 2016. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  62. ^ "Joint Statement by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) & SMRT – Joo Koon train incident". Land Transport Authority. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  63. ^ "Joint Statement by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) & SMRT – Update on Joo Koon train incident". Land Transport Authority. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  64. ^ "Update on Train Incident at Joo Koon Station". Land Transport Authority. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  65. ^ "MRT train collides with stationary train at Joo Koon station: Reports". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  66. ^ hermesauto (15 November 2017). "SMRT train hits stationary train at Joo Koon MRT station; passengers taken to hospital". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  67. ^ "Second train delay hits EWL commuters on Wednesday morning". Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  68. ^ "Train service between Joo Koon and Tuas Link stations suspended". Channel NewsAsia. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  69. ^ "Train service between Joo Koon, Tuas Link stations to be suspended on Thursday". The Straits Times. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  70. ^ "Update on Train Services on Tuas West extension". Land Transport Authority. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  71. ^ a b hermesauto (28 May 2018). "East-West Line running on new signalling system now – all the way to Tuas West and back". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  72. ^ "East–West Line". Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  73. ^ "Tuas West Extension". LTA. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  74. ^ "Best Buildable Design Awards 2003". Archived from the original on 3 June 2008.
  75. ^ "SPEECH BY MRS LIM HWEE HUA,MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE AND TRANSPORT, AT THE BOON LAY MRT EXTENSION CONSTRUCTION COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY, 11 MARCH 2006, 10.00 AM AT BLE STAGING GROUND". www.nas.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  76. ^ "MRT Tuas West Extension to soar above the ground". The Straits Times. 3 February 2015. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  77. ^ a b "Land Transport Master Plan 2040: Bringing Singapore Together | Press Room | Land Transport Authority". Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  78. ^ a b "At a glance: Key updates to MRT, bus network and more for 2040 master plan". TODAYonline. 25 May 2019. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  79. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  80. ^ "LTA awards contract for Tuas Depot". Land Transport Authority. 23 September 2011. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  81. ^ "LTA Awards Contract to Build World's First Four-In-One Depot". Land Transport Authority. 21 March 2016. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  82. ^ Gabriel, Anita (21 March 2016). "LTA awards S$1.99b contract to build world's first four-in-one depot". The Business Times. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  83. ^ Lim, Adrian (21 March 2016). "Korea-based construction firm to build four-in-one train and bus depot for $1.99 billion". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  84. ^ "10 shortlisted for Bishan Depot deal". The Straits Times. 10 June 1984. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  85. ^ "Building the MRT's third depot". The Straits Times. 17 October 1986. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  86. ^ "North–South Line signalling system to take up to 6 months to stabilise". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  87. ^ "海外向け車両 | 鉄道車両". 川崎重工業株式会社 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  88. ^ "$290 million contracts for Woodlands MRT line". The Straits Times. 16 August 1992.
  89. ^ "EMU Trains for the Singapore Land Transport Authority". Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  90. ^ "Rapid Transit | Kawasaki Heavy Industries". global.kawasaki.com. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  91. ^ "Extra metro trains for Singapore". Railway Gazette International. 7 May 2009. Archived from the original on 13 November 2009.
  92. ^ "Five new trains added to boost capacity of North-South and East-West Lines" (PDF). SMRT Corporation. 16 May 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011.
  93. ^ "Train capacity to rise by up to 50% in 4 years". Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  94. ^ "CSR Sifang and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Won the Bid in the Subway Vehicle Project of Singapore". 13 May 2009. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  95. ^ "North–South MRT line breakdown hits thousands". Channel News Asia. 15 December 2011. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  96. ^ "2nd Update – SMRT statement: Service disruption on North–South Line (Northbound): Marina Bay Station to Bishan Station" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 April 2012.
  97. ^ "MRT breaks down again". Channel NewsAsia. 17 December 2011. Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  98. ^ "North–South Line service resumes after 7-hour disruption". Channel NewsAsia. 17 December 2011. Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  99. ^ "Service disruption on North–South Line on 17 Dec 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 April 2012.
  100. ^ "Minister Updates Parliament on MRT Disruptions". Ministry Of Transport. 9 January 2012. Archived from the original on 2 July 2012.
  101. ^ "New signalling system trials extended to full day every Sunday: SMRT, LTA". Channel NewsAsia. 12 April 2017. Archived from the original on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  102. ^ "LTA Singapore Orders 12 MRT Trains (72 cars) for North-South/East-West Lines | Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd". 29 April 2016. Archived from the original on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  103. ^ "SMRT Boosts Service Excellence Efforts with first Customer Experience Innovation Conference". SMRT Corporation. 21 January 2016. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  104. ^ Tan, Christopher (14 August 2018). "SMRT adding 12 trains to two most heavily used lines". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020.
  105. ^ "LTA | News Room | News Releases | 12 More Trains to Boost Capacity of North-South and East-West Lines". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  106. ^ "LTA | News Room | News Releases | Bombardier to Supply 66 New Trains for North-South and East-West Lines". www.lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  107. ^ "New fleet to replace 66 oldest MRT trains from 2021". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 25 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  108. ^ hermesauto (25 July 2018). "Bombardier awarded $1.2 billion contract to replace 66 oldest MRT trains". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  109. ^ "Thales awarded signalling contracts for Singapore North-South, East-West lines and Tuas West Extension | Thales Group". www.thalesgroup.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  110. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 May 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  111. ^ "Thales awarded signalling contracts for Singapore North-South, East-West lines and Tuas West Extension" (Press release). Thales Group. 6 February 2012. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015.
  112. ^ "New MRT signalling system to be trialled on EWL for 5 Sundays from Apr 29". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  113. ^ Woodland, Daniel (August 2004). "Optimisation of Automatic Train Protection Systemstion Systems" (PDF). p. Appendix C Page 32 to Page 33. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  114. ^ "A Little Women guide to Singapore so far: From confusing MRT routes to a strange Boat Quay view". 4 October 2022. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to East West MRT line.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=East–West_MRT_line&oldid=1193557761"