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Bedok MRT station

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Bedok
 EW5 
勿洛[1]
பிடோக்[2]
Exterior of Bedok MRT station.
General information
Location315 New Upper Changi Road, Singapore 467347[3]
Coordinates01°19′26.54″N 103°55′48.13″E / 1.3240389°N 103.9300361°E / 1.3240389; 103.9300361[3]
SystemMass Rapid Transit (MRT) station
OwnerLand Transport Authority
OperatorSMRT Trains
Line
  East–West Line
Platforms2 (1 island platform)
Tracks2
Connections Bedok, Taxi
Construction
Structure type
Elevated
Platform levels
1
Cycle facilities
Yes
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codeBDK
History
Opened4 November 1989; 36 years ago (1989-11-04)
Closed21 and 28 January 2018; 8 years ago (2018-01-28)[a]
Former namesChai Chee
Passengers
June 202430,760 per day[4]
Services
Preceding station Mass Rapid Transit Following station
Tanah Merah
towards Pasir Ris
 East–West Line Kembangan
towards Tuas Link
Location
Bedok is located in Singapore Rail
Bedok
Bedok
Location within Singapore Rail

Bedok MRT station[b] is an elevated Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the East–West Line (EWL) in Bedok, Singapore. Operated by SMRT Trains, the station serves the Bedok area and its landmarks such as Bedok Bus Interchange and Bedok Mall.

First announced in May 1982 as Chai Chee, it was renamed to Bedok the following year and confirmed to be part of Phase II of the MRT system. It commenced operations on 4 November 1989 along with other stations on the eastern stretch of the line. Half-height platform screen doors were installed at the station in 2012, along with high-volume-low-speed fans the following year. The station was temporarily closed on 21 and 28 January 2018.

Built with a dome-shaped segmented roof and an island platform layout on the top floor, the station is two-stories tall and is connected to its exits by underground passageways. As part of SMRT's heritage-themed public art display, there is a mural that details the history and landmarks of Bedok.

History

[edit]

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system was conceptualised in a 1971 study conducted by the Singapore Government and the United Nations Development Programme. The study – which assessed land-use transportation needs – concluded that Singapore would need a rail transit system by 1992.[5] Further studies and debates on the feasibility of building a rapid transit system took place from 1972 to 1980,[6] with Chai Chee station appearing in initial plans by May 1982.[7] Chai Chee was proposed to be constructed as part of the 32.6 kilometres (20.3 mi) East–West Line (EWL), which was to have 22 stations and run from Jurong West to Bedok.[7][8] On 30 May 1982, communications minister Ong Teng Cheong confirmed that the government approved construction of the MRT;[9] Chai Chee station was renamed to Bedok by October 1983.[10][c] The system was planned to be constructed in three phases,[11] with Bedok part of "Phase II", which was 32.6 kilometres (20.3 mi) long and composed of 22 stations.[10][d] Phase II would be constructed in different sections, with Bedok specifically part of "Phase IIA", which consisted of 13 stations from City Hall to Pasir Ris.[13] Stations under Phase II were planned to start construction while Phase I stations are under construction to ensure that the MRT would be fully open by the early 1990s.[10]

From May to June 1984, the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC) called for the prequalification of consultants to design the civil, architectural, and structural works for Phase IIA stations.[14] Ten companies were shortlisted by July,[15] and the contract was awarded to an American–Singapore consortium between De Leuw Cather, Wilbur Smith & Associates, Skidmore Owings Merrill, and Singaporean firm RSP Architects in October for S$11.5 million (1984) (US$5.39 million).[16] The Straits Times reported in November that Phase II was ahead of schedule by two years due to the successful timing for Phase I.[17] There were seven tenderers that prequalified for Contract 304 by May 1985, which detailed the construction of Bedok and Kembangan stations and viaducts and cut-and-cover tunnels from Kembangan to Changi stations.[18][19] Ultimately, the contract was awarded to a partnership between the Obayashi Corporation and Resources Development Pte Ltd for S$70 million (1986) (US$32.15 million) in January 1986.[20]

Construction of Bedok station began in March 1986.[21] In order for the station to be constructed, New Upper Changi Road had to be widened.[22] By December 1987, Bedok was expected to be completed by September 1989.[21] Although stations in the City Hall–Changi stretch were initially expected to commence operations by December 1989,[23] The Straits Times reported in February 1989 that Phase IIA was ahead of schedule and could commence operations in the last quarter of the year.[24] Civil works for Bedok station were fully completed by April 1989 and from August, test runs were conducted on the City Hall–Tanah Merah[e] stretch to check the trains and tracks.[26][27] By then, communications minister Yeo Ning Hong announced that stations within the City Hall–Tanah Merah stretch would open on 18 November,[28] though the opening date was moved to 4 November in September as the test runs were ahead of schedule.[29] Bedok, along with other stations between Marina Bay and Tanah Merah, opened on 4 November 1989.[30][31] During its opening day, 17,614 people entered the station before 20:00 Singapore Standard Time (UTC+08:00).[31]

External media
image icon Site of Bedok station when it was confirmed for construction
image icon A map of Bedok station by July 1986
image icon Photograph of commuters at Bedok station on opening day

After its opening, a letter sent to The Straits Times noted that the lack of a sheltered walkway to the bus interchange caused overcrowding.[32] Construction for a sheltered walkway started in October 1991, with an expected completion date of May 1992.[33] In September 2000, a 70-year-old man was run over by an eastbound train outside of the station. The driver did see the man and applied emergency brakes, though it was too late.[34] Following an increase in track intrusions, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SMRT decided to install platform screen doors at all elevated MRT stations.[35] After several successful tests at different stations, works to install half-height platform screen doors were expected to start in 2010;[36] they were installed at Bedok station by August 2011.[37]

Details

[edit]
A subway exit of the station

Bedok station, located in the Bedok planning area of the East Region,[3] is situated on a traffic island in the central median of New Changi Upper Road, opposite of Bedok Bus Interchange.[38][39] Under the New Rail Financing Framework, it is owned by the LTA.[40] Bedok is between Tanah Merah and Kembangan stations on the EWL with the station code EW5;[41] as part of the EWL, it is operated by SMRT Trains.[42] When it opened, the station had the station code of E8[43] and received its current station code in August 2001 as a part of a system-wide campaign to cater to the expanding MRT system.[44][45] The station operates from 5:45 am to 12:25 am daily,[46] with train frequencies varying from 2 to 5 minutes during peak hours to an average of 5 minutes for off-peak hours.[47]

External media
image icon Locality map of Bedok station
image icon Model of the dome roof
image icon Eunos's Comic Connect murals

Bedok is a two-story, elevated station.[22][38][48] The station's concourse, 1 metre (3.3 ft) above ground, has a ticketing office and the electrical and mechanical plant rooms whilst its platforms are 8.5 metres (28 ft) above the concourse and are built in the island platform configuration.[22][23][48] Both floors are column-free, with the platforms intended to give commuters ease of movement.[38][48] The platforms have high-volume low-speed fans, which were installed by the first quarter of 2013.[49] Bedok station is connected to both sides of New Upper Changi Road via underground linkways,[38] and has three exits serving the Bedok Mall, Bedok Bus Interchange and its eponymous hawker centre, Heartbeat@Bedok, and Bedok Point.[50] Bedok is wheelchair-accessible and has bicycle facilities.[39][51]

Similar to most Phase IIA stations, Bedok has a dome-shaped roof.[52][48][f] The roof – which spans 23 metres (75 ft) across the platform and tracks – is made of a 7 metres (23 ft) high parabolic arched canopy supported by 25 precast concrete ribs at 6.25 metres (20.5 ft) centres, with a 150 millimetres (5.9 in) thick roof slab between the ribs.[54] The design was an attempt by the MRTC to give the stations on the EWL an "attractive look";[52] The Straits Times has compared it to a caterpillar in one article and a rib cage in another article.[52][55] Additionally, as a part of SMRT's heritage-themed artwork showcase Comic Connect, the station features a mural created by students from APSN Katong school,[56] which showcases Bedok's history and landmarks such as the Bedok Reservoir, Opera and Frankel residential estates, Simpang Bedok (a former village turned food hub), and the NEWater Visitor Centre.[57] The process, from research to submission, took two to three weeks, and the mural was unveiled at the station in June 2024.[58]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Track works and testing for a new signalling system.
  2. ↑ /bəˈdoʊk/ bə-DOHK
  3. ↑ Bedok station was also renamed to Changi station by October 1983.[10]
  4. ↑ Although previous studies concluded that the EWL should be constructed first, the government chose to construct the North–South Line (NSL) first, another line proposed in those studies, though The Straits Times noted that this would not imply that the NSL would have to be built first before the EWL can begin construction.[12]
  5. ↑ Changi station was renamed to Tanah Merah in March 1987.[25]
  6. ↑ The exception is Eunos, which has a traditional Malay-style roof.[53]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "System Map" (PDF) (in Chinese). Land Transport Authority. 15 January 2026. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  2. ↑ "System Map" (PDF) (in Tamil). Land Transport Authority. 15 January 2026. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 "Bedok MRT Station (EW5)". OneMap. 7 July 2026. Archived from the original on 17 December 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Land Transport DataMall". mytransport.sg. Land Transport Authority. Retrieved 14 August 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ↑ Richmond 2008, pp. 364–365.
  6. ↑ Richmond 2008, pp. 365–367.
  7. 1 2 "Proposed MRT Stations". The Straits Times. 23 May 1982. p. 1. Retrieved 23 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  8. ↑ "You May Be Able to Ride on a Train as Early as 1988". The Straits Times. 26 May 1982. p. 14. Retrieved 4 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  9. ↑ "Go-Ahead For MRT: Work Starts in '84". The Straits Times. 30 May 1982. p. 1. Retrieved 2 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "From Kembangan to Pasir Ris". The Straits Times. 27 October 1983. p. 21. Retrieved 14 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  11. ↑ "Project to Go on Line in Three Stages". The Straits Times. 8 July 1986. p. 8. Retrieved 19 December 2020 – via NewspaperSG.
  12. ↑ Dhaliwal, Rav (29 August 1982). "North–South Line off First". The Straits Times. p. 1. Retrieved 4 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  13. ↑ Dhaliwal, Rav (13 November 1984). "Earlier Target Date for Phase II MRT". The Straits Times. p. 48. Retrieved 4 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  14. ↑ "MRT Seeks Design Advice for Next Two Phases". The Business Times. 19 May 1984. p. 1. Retrieved 3 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  15. ↑ Lee, Lisa (6 July 1984). "MRTC to Offer Three More Contracts to Pre-Qualified Groups". The Business Times. p. 16 – via NewspaperSG.
  16. ↑ "Singapore-Us Consortium Clinches $11m MRT Design Contract". The Business Times. 3 October 1984. p. 1. Retrieved 3 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  17. ↑ Loh, Hui Yin (13 November 1984). "Work on Second Phase of MRT System Ahead of Schedule". The Business Times. p. 1. Retrieved 3 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  18. ↑ Yap, Boh Hoon (13 May 1985). "MRTC Prequalifies 37 for 11 Engineering Contracts". The Business Times. p. 1. Retrieved 7 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  19. ↑ "List of Pre-Qualified Contractors — MRT Phase IIA, IIB". The Business Times. 14 May 1985. p. 3. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  20. ↑ Gomez, Brian (14 January 1986). "MRTC awards two jobs on eastern line". The Business Times. p. 2. Retrieved 27 June 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  21. 1 2 Lim, Edward (18 December 1987). "MRT will only come to the East in 1990". Weekend East. p. 12. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  22. 1 2 3 To, Chee Eng (11 July 1986). "20-min ride to city". Weekend East. p. 15. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  23. 1 2 Dhaliwal, Rav (28 April 1987). "Getting to Know the Network and How It Will Work". The Straits Times. p. 19. Retrieved 19 December 2020 – via NewspaperSG.
  24. ↑ "Eastern MRT Line May Open Before Xmas". The Straits Times. 15 February 1989. p. 1. Retrieved 3 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  25. ↑ Dhaliwal, Rav (27 March 1987). "Five MRT Stations Renamed to Better Reflect the Locality". The Straits Times. p. 19 – via NewspaperSG.
  26. ↑ "SMRT Optimistic Despite $30 Million Loss Last Year". The Straits Times. 27 April 1989. p. 17. Retrieved 3 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  27. ↑ "Tests on MRT Eastern Line". The Straits Times. 1 August 1989. p. 20. Retrieved 10 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  28. ↑ Dhaliwal, Rav (4 August 1989). "MRT's Eastern Line May Start Nov 18". The Straits Times. p. 1. Retrieved 10 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  29. ↑ Nathan, Dominic (10 September 1989). "MRT Trains Will Roll to Tanah Merah on Nov 4". The Straits Times. p. 3. Retrieved 10 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  30. ↑ "East-Enders Get Ticket to Ride as MRT Opens Line". The Straits Times. 4 November 1989. p. 23. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  31. 1 2 "Enthusiastic Commuters Keep New Eastern Line Busy". The Straits Times. 5 November 1989. p. 14. Retrieved 4 July 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  32. ↑ Tong, Henry Liau Yeong (11 November 1991). "Urgent need for walkway". The Straits Times (Letter). p. 28. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  33. ↑ Lee, Hock Guan (16 November 1991). "Bedok MRT to have walkway by next May". The Straits Times (Response to letter). p. 34. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  34. ↑ "Man run over by MRT train". The New Paper. 30 September 2000. p. 2. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  35. ↑ Wong, Siew Ying (26 January 2008). "Above-Ground MRT Stations to Have Platform Screen Doors by 2012". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 28 January 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  36. ↑ "Installation of Half Height Platform Screen Doors Pasir Ris Station". Land Transport Authority. 12 August 2009. Archived from the original on 30 November 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  37. ↑ "Completion of Half Height Platform Screen Doors on East West Line". Land Transport Authority. 31 August 2011. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  38. 1 2 3 4 "MRT station is near town centre". Weekend East. 16 November 1989. p. 8. Retrieved 24 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  39. 1 2 "Bedok – Map". SMRT Journeys. 7 July 2026. Archived from the original on 7 July 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
  40. ↑ "New Rail Financing Framework". Land Transport Authority. 1 January 2022. Archived from the original on 3 July 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  41. ↑ "System Map" (PDF). Land Transport Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  42. ↑ "Rail Network – This is the Rail Life". Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  43. ↑ "Going to N1, B3, W11, El2, anyone?". The Straits Times. 25 October 1985. p. 21. Retrieved 19 November 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  44. ↑ Salim, Shazalina (3 August 2001). "Red, green and grey". Today. p. 9. Retrieved 15 December 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  45. ↑ "New Signage System For MRT And LRT Network". Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 1 August 2003. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  46. ↑ "Bedok – First & Last Train". SMRT Journeys. 5 July 2026. Archived from the original on 6 July 2026. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  47. ↑ "LTA | Transport Tools | MRT/LRT | Bedok". Land Transport Authority. 5 July 2026. Archived from the original on 5 July 2026. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  48. 1 2 3 4 Hulme et al. 1989, p. 764.
  49. ↑ "Enhancing Connectivity and Comfort for Commuters". Land Transport Authority. 13 October 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  50. ↑ "Bedok – Exits". SMRT Journeys. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  51. ↑ "Bedok – Amenities". SMRT Journeys. 7 July 2026. Archived from the original on 7 July 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
  52. 1 2 3 "Roof to make heads turn". The Straits Times. 20 April 1986. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  53. ↑ Hulme, Potter & Shirlaw 1989, p. 766.
  54. ↑ Hulme et al. 1989, pp. 764–765.
  55. ↑ "Residents get sneak preview of three new MRT stations". The Straits Times. 15 December 1989. p. 32. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  56. ↑ "Commuters & Communities - Comic Connect". SMRT. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  57. ↑ "Bedok". SMRT. Archived from the original on 22 April 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
  58. ↑ Deng, Weiting (2 October 2023). "地铁站亮丽色彩勾勒出勿洛人文背景和自然景点" [The vibrant colors of the MRT station highlight Bedok's cultural background and natural attractions]. Lianhe Zaobao (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2026.

Sources

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[edit]
  • Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to Bedok MRT Station at Wikimedia Commons
  • Official website
External image
image icon Artist's impression of Bedok station Source: National Library Board (NLB)
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