MassRailTransits:HUGE plans!

[sabaisabai]

To summarise from the skytrain section..

The MRT system is missing stations at NE2, Woodleigh, and NS6. Of these, Woodleigh is partially? constructed, while there are no signs of provision for stations at NE2 or NS6. Buangkok has been completed but awaiting opening while SBS accountants count their pennies. NE6, Dhoby Ghaut, definitely exists

There's also a station missing between NS11 (Sembawang) and NS 13 (Yishun). This area is under development with new HDB blocks going up, and a new station will be more feasible here than between Yew Tee and Kranji which is currently an industrial area with scungy dogs roaming around. Last time I went by, Canberra Link, the road running parallel to the MRT between Yishun and Sembawang, was being put across the canal.

[jpatokal]

The Land Transport Authority has just announced the layout and provisional station names for the entire Circle Line:
http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=925

And here is the alignment of the entire line and each individual station:
http://www.lta.gov.sg/images/CCL%20alignment.jpg
http://www.lta.gov.sg/images/circle%20line.pdf

Stages 1 and 2 of the Circle Line are already under construction and are targeted for completion in 2007, with the whole thing on line by 2010.

[jpatokal]

As the resident Singaporean on 2bangkok, I think I have to comment on this too:

Loop lines and circle lines are nothing new in many metro system across the world. Our neighbour, Singapore, is busy constructing an entirely underground Circle Line to relieve congestion in the city.

Singapore is much smaller than Bangkok and the existing North-South line already forms a loop around most of the island. While the first part of the Circle Line will indeed go through the city center and parts of the East Coast, the rest will pass through less developed areas outside the city center, to the extent that a number of stations (3-4?) will be skipped entirely in the first phase.

Congestion in the Bangkok sense of the word is already pretty much unknown in Singapore, so there isn't really a pressing need for the new line, it's just in line with normal Singov policy and planning for the future, hoping that people will come when the line is built. This failed pretty badly for the North-East Line and I'm not sure the later stages of the Circle Line will be that successful either, but we'll see...

[admin]

Well, that's a fundamental difference in policy... Singapore builds these lines before other development starts to provide infrastructure to future construction. In Thailand, these projects are only built after congestion occurs and it is clear they are needed...

BTW: Thanks jpatokal for posting these things about Singapore... It gives good perspective as we examine the Thai systems.

[sabaisabai]

A wall at the deepest part of the new circle line has collapsed, causing a hole in the ground 100 metres long and 30 metres deep, and the collapse of the entire width of Nicoll Highway. Two workers are confirmed dead and two are still missing. The highway, one of the major routes into the city, will have to remain closed for many months.

The story is better told here.

For a quick picture, try here.

[jpatokal]

The Singapore Mass Transit Map is excellent! A few minor comments:

• Areas next to NE1 should be "Harbourfront" and "Keppel Harbour"
• NE14 has been built but is not open yet
• The area marked "Changi East" is the airport

For stuff to add, I agree that the Sentosa LRT needs to be included since it's already under construction. For future plans the Bukit Timah MRT line should also be noted.

But all in all very good work, the LTA should definitely hire you

[mrtfreak]

where's this map? urban rail site? when is BTL (bukit timah line) going to be constructed?

[mrtfreak]

missing stations:
North East Line:
NE2 Kampung Baharu (will be built at a later date)
NE11 Woodleigh (IS BUILT! waiting for surrounding areas to develop)
NE14 Buangkok (opening in 2-3 years time)

North South Line:
NS6 Sungei Kadut area
NS12 Canberra area
*no dates set for construction

Sengkang LRT:
SW1 Cheng Lim
SW2 Farmway
SW3 Kupang
SW4 Thanggam
SW5 Fernvale
SW6 Layar
SW7 Tongkang
SW8 Renjong

Future missing stations (circle line):
Thompson (will be built at a later date)
Bukit Brown (will be built at a later date)
West Coast (will be built at a later date)

[mrtfreak]

i think NEL (north east line) project was not well supported by developments in and around the station areas. area around woodleigh is a cemetary. it should have been exhumed way before MRT operations, so homes could be built, leading to shorter station closure. flats around buangkok could have been built earlier so that as they near completion SBS Transit can get revenue when owners come to collect keys, check for defects, etc.

in a way, it is good concept to construct before areas are developed. it minimises disruption to services, eg road diversions, etc. however, getting people/population to follow the lines might be a problem if they don't want to move.

[sabaisabai]

Thanks for the information mrtfreak.

Do you know anything more about Kampung Baharu station on the NEL? In particular I'm wondering what provision has been made for the station, whether the lines have built to fit the platforms, the station shell has been dug out, or things like that.

[admin]

here it is:
http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Mas.../singmap.shtml

[mrtfreak]

sabaisabai, i have travelled a few times between NE3 Outram Park and NE1 Harbour Front, sometimes looking into the tunnel. from what i observe, there seems to be no provisions made, no matter what the media says (the Straits Times has said that the tunnels between the two stations have been made with provisions). so i am wondering how they are going to make a station there, especially doing so, when the NEL is in full operations. they must have a way, and i'm sure it will be interesting to see how they carry it out. but then again, it won't be for a long time. take NS6 and NS12 for an example. the line was inaugregated in 1996, but up to now, no construction has ever gone on. but as usual, our government is just planning for the future.

the kampung baharu station construction will certainely differ from the future thompson, bukit brown and west coast stations as the station boxes for those will be built when the line is constructed. the location has been chosen, alas, for the kg baharu station, it has not yet been chosen. thus, construction may take place anywhere between the two stations. i think this might be risky, especially when the trains are underground. imagine the excavation works that have to be undertaken. i would rather have had them build a shell station first.

[mrtfreak]

oh, ok. thanks. cool. the LTA official map can be viewed at
LTA website map

Trans Island bus services (TIBS) has merged with rail operator SMRT. the buses are now knwn as SMRT buses.

[jpatokal]

Originally posted by mrtfreak
missing stations:
North East Line:
NE11 Woodleigh (IS BUILT! waiting for surrounding areas to develop)
NE14 Buangkok (opening in 2-3 years time)

NE11 is not built, according to ST all they did was prepare a concrete shell for a future station. NE14, on the other hand, is 100% complete but was not opened for cost-cutting reasons (not enough passengers to make it worth the while).

[mrtfreak]

correction, if you happen to pass NE11 woodleigh station, you would notice that all major works to the station (Platform Screen Door [PSD], lift, escalator is all ready) and lights iluminate the station at the emergency exit areas. shell means that the major structures of the station are built, leaving only minor things to be installed (eg TVMS and signage). i don't know where all this stuff about NE11 not yet built comes from, but it is certainely untrue.