EXTENSION OF MRT TO EAST COAST

EXTENSION OF MRT TO EAST COAST: * * *

9.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Transport when can the public expect the MRT lines to be extended to the East Coast which has been drawing huge crowds especially on weekends and public holidays.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: As part of the Land Transport Masterplan, the Eastern Region Line (ERL) will be built by 2020. The ERL will serve residents in Tanjong Rhu, Marine Parade, Siglap, Bedok South and Upper East Coast areas. Visitors to the area will find it even more convenient to use public transport.

LTA is currently studying the precise alignment of the ERL and the location of each station. It has to consider many factors such as travel demand, land use patterns, ease of access, physical site characteristics and local constraints, in consultation with planning agencies such as the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). More details will be announced when they become available.

Today, the East Coast area is well-served by many bus services along East Coast Road, Upper East Coast Road and Marine Parade Road. These buses provide direct connections to the Central Business District (CBD), many major destinations across Singapore, and also link to nearby MRT stations on the East-West Line, such as Eunos, Kembangan and Bedok. In addition, the East Coast Park is served by an additional bus service on weekends and public holidays to cater to the higher travel demand. There is also a variety of non-basic services that serve different needs, including Fast Forward or Express, Night, Premium and Shuttle services.

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