BUANGKOK MRT STATION (Opening)

Column: 1311

BUANGKOK MRT STATION:

(Opening): 5.

Mr Charles Chong asked the Minister for Transport if the Land Transport Authority has completed its study on the feasibility of opening the Buangkok MRT station and, if so, can the

Column: 1312

Minister provide the date when the station will commence operations.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, the Buangkok station was not opened when the North East Line commenced operations in June 2003 because of a lack of developments around the station that would provide an adequate ridership to sustain the station's operations. Mr Chong would recall that at that time, the area within 400 metres of the station was practically vacant.

Since 2003, HDB has been accelerating its housing developments around the Buangkok station. As at early this year, HDB has completed 960 housing units in the vicinity.

Of these, about 390 units are within 400 metres from the station. Several other HDB Build-to-Order projects, such as the Coris, Atrina and Aspella, have also been launched, and are currently under construction. The Singapore Land Authority has also recently sold a site for the development of a private condominium south of the station. When completed, all these projects would add about 3,400 housing units to the area.

Sir, the LTA had earlier assessed that there need to be about 2,000 to 3,000 completed dwelling units within 400 metres of the station to sustain operations. There are currently only about 500 housing units within this radius, and taken together with HDB's current construction programme, this critical mass would most likely be reached only some time in 2008.

Therefore, using the current guideline, there is still insufficient residential support in the immediate vicinity of Buangkok station to sustain the station's opening. Nevertheless, I have noted the many appeals by Mr Chong and his residents for the station to be opened. I have therefore asked LTA to review and assess the

Column: 1313

potential ridership in the area and the likely patronage of Buangkok station if it were to open. The review will take into consideration the latest schedule on the completion of new residential developments around the station. LTA expects to complete its study in a few months' time.

Mr Charles Chong (Pasir Ris-Punggol): Sir, could the Minister ensure that LTA works within the time framework expected, ie, complete the study within one to two months, effective 29th August 2005?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, if he had listened to my answer, I told him that LTA would complete the study in a few months' time.

Mr Charles Chong: Sir, I think the media report indicated that the Minister stated on 29th August that LTA would complete its study within one to two months, and that he would hurry LTA along, if necessary.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, I had said that I had asked LTA to try and complete the study within one to two months. Unfortunately, LTA has come back to me and explained to me why they are unable to do it, and that it would take them a few months. We will leave it to LTA to make sure that it carries out the study in a proper manner.