LIGHT RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM

Mr Lew Syn Pau asked the Minister for Communications and Information Technology whether the Government will consider building a Light Rapid Transit system between Newton Circus and Bukit Panjang MRT stations, running along the Bukit Timah canal and up along the Upper Bukit Timah Road corridor, in view of the increasing density of residential housing and good schools located there.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The LTA is currently undertaking a number of feasibility studies for further expansion of our rapid transit system (RTS) network. One of the RTS lines being looked into is a medium capacity system along the Bukit Timah corridor. Such a system would serve the upcoming residential developments and schools in the area. However, a detailed study will have to be carried out to determine whether the line is physically and economically viable, given the site constraints such as the existence of the Bukit Timah Canal and many multi-tier interchanges along Bukit Timah Road.