LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM LINKING BOON LAY MRT STATION TO JURONG WEST

Mr R. Ravindran asked the Minister for Communications whether there are plans to build a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system linking Boon Lay MRT station to the Jurong West Housing and Development Board estates encompassing Jurong West Neighbourhoods 6, 7, 8 and 9 and, if so, if he will indicate the date of completion of the LRT line.

The Minister of State for Communications (Dr John Chen Seow Phun) (for the Minister for Communications): Sir, as Questions 1 and 2 are related, can I take them together?

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Sir, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has assessed that an MRT line extension from Boon Lay Station to the Second Link in Tuas is not operationally viable at the moment. Neither will any benefit outweigh the high costs of the construction of such an extension. Nevertheless, LTA will continue to monitor the situation and review the feasibility of this line regularly as part of its long-term rail development plan. Under this plan, LTA has also been studying the feasibility of operating LRT systems in various parts of Singapore. The Jurong West housing estate is included in this study. Results of the study are expected to be ready in two years' time.