Plans to Improve Connectivity in MRT Network

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport whether there are plans to improve connectivity in the MRT network from the north-eastern and northern part of Singapore to the east-west sector and, if so, when will these plans be implemented.

Mr Lui Tuck Yew: The northern part and north-eastern parts of Singapore are currently served by the North-South Line (NSL) and the North-East Line (NEL). These lines connect to the East-West Line (EWL) and the Circle Line (CCL) to provide connectivity to the eastern and western regions of Singapore.

The upcoming MRT lines will further improve connectivity. The Downtown Line (DTL) is currently connected to the NEL and will be connected to the NSL by 2016 when DTL 2 opens 5 . Second, the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), which is currently under construction, will provide residents from Woodlands a direct connection to the eastern region. Third, the Cross-Island Line (CRL), when completed by around 2030, will connect major residential towns in the north-east, such as Hougang and Punggol, to the east and west of Singapore.

Note(s) to Question No(s) 10:

5 DTL is connected to the NEL at Chinatown Station (DTL1) which opened in December 2013. When DTL2 opens in 2016, it will be connected to the NSL at the Newton Station.