Introduction

SINGAPORE – Good news for commuters! The regular train services on the East-West Line (EWL) will be back in operation on December 10, a full day ahead of schedule. This swift turnaround comes after track maintenance was completed earlier than anticipated, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Service Suspension Details

Originally, LTA had announced a suspension of service from December 7 to 10 at six key stations: Tanah Merah, Simei, Tampines, Pasir Ris, Expo, and Changi Airport. These station closures were necessary for essential track work, which is part of the ongoing connection to the new East Coast Integrated Depot.

Early Resumption Announcement

In a recent announcement via social media on December 9, LTA confirmed that normal service would resume at the start of passenger hours on December 10. They attributed the early completion to rigorous testing by their teams, which included safety evaluations and ultrasonic assessments of the tracks, power systems, and train signaling.

Team Effort

The collective effort involved over 500 personnel including LTA staff, public transport operators, contractors, and crowd marshals who have been actively engaged since December 7 to ensure the success of both the repairs and the management of commuter traffic.

Minister's Acknowledgment

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat expressed gratitude to the teams involved, noting the hard work of engineers, technicians, and bus captains who operated shuttle services during the closure, as well as ground staff assisting passengers. “A heartfelt thank you also goes out to commuters for their patience and understanding during this time,” Mr. Chee remarked.

Future Closures

Despite the commendable early reopening, LTA has indicated that additional track closures will be necessary in 2025 and 2026 to fully complete the integration of the new depot. More information about those closures will be released in due time.

East Coast Integrated Depot

As for the East Coast Integrated Depot, which is on track for completion in 2026, it will eventually house 220 trains from the Downtown Line, Thomson-East Coast Line, and EWL, alongside a bus depot with the capacity for over 500 buses. Remarkably, as of November 2023, an impressive 97 percent of the depot's structural work is finished.

Shuttle Services

During the service suspension, numerous shuttle trains were implemented to minimize disruptions. Trains ran every five minutes between Tampines and Pasir Ris, every eight minutes between Tanah Merah and Expo, and every eleven minutes from Expo to Changi Airport. Additionally, Shuttle 7 bus service provided another layer of convenience, operating at intervals of three to five minutes through Tampines, Simei, and Tanah Merah stations.

Commuter Reactions

Commuters like Junaidah Abdul Rahman, a nurse at Parkway East Hospital, expressed relief at the news of early service resumption. Having faced delays during her commute on December 7, she noted, “This is fantastic news! It not only saves me time but also helps me avoid an additional $20 expense for a Grab ride. Using the MRT, despite being slightly slower, is definitely the better option for my wallet.”

Conclusion

Stay tuned as we follow the developments surrounding the East Coast Integrated Depot and keep you informed about public transport updates in Singapore!