Things you need to know about the MRT closures recently announced by SMRT for you to plan alternative transport arrangements
In a recent press release by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and train operator SMRT, it was announced that there will be reduced operating hours for some stations along the East-West Line (EWL) and North-South Line (NSL).
(Image:sgtrains)
Affected stations comprise of Tiong Bahru to Tuas Link on the EWL, as well as Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak on the NSL. The aforementioned stations will be closed for the whole day on December 10 and 17, both Sundays. Additionally, they will close earlier at 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and open later at 8 am on Saturdays and Sundays from December 8 to December 31.
(Image:lta)
Bus services which run along the length of the MRT tracks will be deployed and the shuttle bus fares will follow the fare structure of the MRT. Shortened train service hours can be expected along other parts of the NSL and EWL in the first half of 2018 as well.
"The additional engineering hours is very precious to LTA, SMRT and Thales (French signalling system firm). This will substantially accelerate the implementation of the new signalling system for the EWL and provide additional maintenance hours for the entire NSEWL network.”-Mr Ngien Hoon Ping, LTA’s Chief Executive
Currently, two different signalling systems are running simultaneously along the length of the EWL. The 30-year-old signalling system, which is active between the Pasir Ris and Pioneer Stations, as well as the new Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system, running along the length of Pioneer and Tuas Link stations. A software glitch resulting from the two signalling systems led to a collision between two trains at Joo Koon station on 19 November, causing 38 commuters to be injured. Hence, train services between Joo Koon to Gul Circle will be temporarily stopped until mid-2018 to keep the two systems apart. Shuttle bus services will be provided as well.