CIRCLE MRT LINE

Column: 463

CIRCLE MRT LINE

3.

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for Transport (a) what is the benefit of building the Circle MRT line; (b) whether the line will have sufficient commuters to sustain its operation; and (c) what is the expected total cost of the line.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The Circle Line (CCL) is an orbital Rapid Transit System (RTS) that will link all the radial RTS lines running into the city. It is 33 km long and will have 28 stations when completed in 2010.

The orbital nature of the CCL allows commuters to make direct inter-suburban trips, without having to go through the interchange stations in the city. This will shorten their travelling time significantly. For example, with the CCL, a commuter will be able to make a direct trip from Bishan to Buona Vista in just 19 minutes, compared to 34 minutes today on the NS-EW line. In addition, congestion at interchange stations within the city (such as City Hall and Raffles Place) will be reduced. Such orbital lines are common in major cities to relieve congestion in city centres as they grow.

The CCL will also significantly improve the coverage and connectivity of the RTS network and enhance accessibility to sub-regional centres such as Paya Lebar, Serangoon, Bishan and Buona Vista, and the new development at Harbourfront.

The CCL is expected to have sufficient commuters to sustain its operation. As RTS projects involve heavy capital investment, the Government will only build a new RTS line

Column: 465

after careful analysis of its economic benefits and financial viability. LTA's studies show that the line will have sufficient ridership for it to sustain its operations based on the development plans for the areas around the CCL stations.

As for the expected cost for the line, the approved budget for the entire CCL is $6.7 billion.