I managed to find the documents on plans to link up with Esplanade MRT Station.

Extract from document from Capitalmall..

"Raffles City is strategically located adjacent to and is directly connected to City Hall Mass Rapid Transit (“MRT”) station, one of Singapore’s four major MRT interchanges. On a monthly basis, an estimated 2.2 million people visit Raffles City Shopping Centre, the retail component of Raffles City. In addition, Raffles City sits on a large footprint with a land area of 331,700 sq ft. These attributes support the potential expansion of Raffles City Shopping Centre and the increase of its retail NLA.

The additional retail NLA of between 150,000 and 200,000 sq ft can be used to further strengthen the retail offering on Basement 1 of Raffles City and create two additional levels of retail space in Basements 2 and 3 of Raffles City. The creation of the additional two levels of retail space is ideal particularly when Basement 2 is intended to have direct connectivity to the proposed Esplanade MRT station on the Circle Line MRT system, which is expected to be fully operational by 2010. In addition, there is the possibility of constructing a link which could provide direct access from the City Hall MRT station to either Basement 2 or Basement 3 of Raffles City. When these direct links are completed, the value of the retail NLA in Basements 2 and 3 will be further enhanced."

Source:
20 August 2006 - Plans for Raffles City (http://capitamall.listedcompany.com/newsroom/CMT_RCS_AEI_Announcement_20Aug2006_Final.pdf)

Raffles City Updates - Including Phase 3 Asset Enhancement (http://www.finanznachrichten.de/pdf/20080723_075619_C31_88ED0CDB27DEF9CF4825748E0082F23E.1.pdf)

On page 18 of the file, Phase 3 AEI -B1 Reconfiguration, there is plan to create connecting corridor to link City Hall MRT station with the upcoming Esplanade MRT Station and reconfigure shops along the connecting corridor to tap potential traffic flow between the 2 stations.

there is plan to create connecting corridor to link City Hall MRT station with the upcoming Esplanade MRT Station and reconfigure shops along the connecting corridor to tap potential traffic flow between the 2 stations.

Exactly what I was thinking of. Very cool. :banana:

^^ So it will be like Hong Kong and Central stations in Hong Kong :)
Very cool! When will this be done by?

^^ So it will be like Hong Kong and Central stations in Hong Kong :)
Very cool! When will this be done by?

Supposed to be by 3rd Quarter 2009. No idea if they already have done this...

So it's not a physical link of the paid areas? Sighs, was hoping to see City Hall-Esplanade... It'd be kinda cool, like Paris where stations built close eventually merge, like Chatelet-Les Halles.

I don't think it's done because CapitaLand is supposed to reconfigure the southern half of the B1 shops to half-height units to improve visibility, which has only JUST begun.

So it's not a physical link of the paid areas? Sighs, was hoping to see City Hall-Esplanade...

City Hall to Esplanade seems a bit far to me to connect the paid areas. How much hassle is it to tap an EZ-link card twice? I care about being able to connect underground. I don't care too much whether there is a direct connection between the paid areas. I prefer connections through the unpaid areas if I have to walk for a while because there will always be more interesting things to see and do in the unpaid areas.

So it's not a physical link of the paid areas? Sighs, was hoping to see City Hall-Esplanade... It'd be kinda cool, like Paris where stations built close eventually merge, like Chatelet-Les Halles.

I don't think it's done because CapitaLand is supposed to reconfigure the southern half of the B1 shops to half-height units to improve visibility, which has only JUST begun.

Raffles City management just wants to tap on flow of commuters between Esplanade and City Hall to get to Suntec City, bypassing Citilink.

If there is a plan for linking up paid area, the map would indicate the new symbol for Esplanade and City Hall. Apparently, there is no plan to link up from LTA. Same case for the Downtown Station and Raffles Place.

actually for Singapore it doesnt really matter if its the paid areas that are linked up.

as long as the two stations are logically linked with clear signs, it wont be a problem since we are moving towards distance based travel that would not have any penalty on transfers.

^^ This 'unofficial' interchange only makes changing trains much easier :)
can't wait for opening next year!

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_417858.html

Fair use excerpt:

"AFTER seven-and-the-half years of excavation, interrupted by a tragic collapse in 2004, tunnelling of the 33.3km Circle Line has finished.

'At long last,' a senior Land Transport Authority executive sighed as a massive tunnel-boring machine broke through a hollow-brick wall erected for a completion ceremony this morning."

Also notable: 75% of tracks have been laid, tunnelling completion occurred at Farrer Road station (which also had serious water seepage problems), and all CCL1 and CCL2 station are expected to get TOP by the end of this year.

When did the CCL3 stations get TOP?

^^ glad to hear that the project has reached yet another milestone!

the article also mentioned that Nicoll Highway, Stadium, MacPherson, Paya Lebar, Dakota and Mountbatten will TOP by end of the year. surprising to know Stadium isnt TOP yet.

So, should open next year right? :)

So, should open next year right?
It seems like CCL1 and CCL2 will open next year, hopefully early next year. I guess CCL4 and CCL5 will open in 2011. Hopefully, the Marina Bay extension will also open in 2011.

＾＾YAY!! :D

My commute will improve when Botanic Gardens station opens. I hope that LTA will open Marymount to Botanic Gardens in late 2010 without waiting for Farrer Road to be completed, but I'm not optimistic on this question. I suspect CCL4 and CCL5 will open all at once.

Tsk... just open when the station is ready lor :P

As per today's The Straits Times, Circle Line Stage 1 and 2 may open in 2nd quarter 2010. Hope TOP for remaining Stage 1 and 2 are issued earlier so that we can have stations open earlier. LTA is working on Stage 4 and 5 and may open by end of 2010 or early 2011, depending on how fast they lay the tracks. Almost 97% of mechanical and electrical are installed.

Circle Line Tunnel Breakthrough

Circle Line Progress Update

LTA Completes Circle Line Tunnelling Work

1 The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has achieved another milestone with the completion of the tunnelling works for the entire Circle Line (CCL) on Monday, 17 August 2009.

2 The CCL tunnelling work is completed with the breakthrough of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) on Circle Line Stage 4 (CCL4) into the Farrer Road Station.

3 Of the remaining 24 stations which are still under construction, Kim Chuan Depot and five stations [Dhoby Ghaut, Bras Basah, Esplanade, Promenade and Tai Seng] have achieved Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP). About 76 per cent of the railway tracks have been completed.

3 All the forty trains for Circle Line have been delivered to the Kim Chuan Depot.

4 "The CCL project is on schedule and revenue services for the remaining stations will commence progressively from 2010 onwards," said Mr Yam Ah Mee, Chief Executive, LTA.

CCL from Dhoby Ghuat to Bartley (Stages 1 & 2)

5 Circle Line from Dhoby Ghaut to Bartley (CCL1 and 2) consists of 11 stations. [CCL1: Dhoby Ghaut, Bras Basah, Esplanade, Promenade, Nicoll Highway and Stadium. CCL2: Mountbatten, Dakota, Paya Lebar, MacPherson and Tai Seng.]

6 Under CCL1 and 2, five stations - Dhoby Ghaut, Bras Basah, Esplanade, Promenade, and Tai Seng have achieved TOP.

7 The remaining stations - Nicoll Highway, Stadium, MacPherson, Paya Lebar, Dakota and Mountbatten Stations - are on schedule to obtain TOP status by end 2009.

8 The electrical and mechanical works are 97 per cent completed. Final testing and commissioning is underway. Typical electrical and mechanical installation, testing and commissioning works for a station takes about 18 months.

CCL from Marymount to HarbourFront (Stages 4 & 5)

9 CCL from Marymount to HarbourFront (CCL4 and 5), consists of 13 stations. [CCL4: Caldecott, Bukit Brown (future station), Botanic Gardens, Farrer Road, Holland Village, Buona Vista, one-north and Kent Ridge. CCL5: Haw Par Villa, Pasir Panjang, Labrador Park, Telok Blangah and HarbourFront.]

10 Under CCL4 and 5, six stations - Farrer Road, Botanic Gardens, Kent Ridge, one-north, Telok Blangah and HarbourFront have achieved Basic Structure Completion (BSC). Architectural, and electrical and mechanical works have commenced.

11 Caldecott, Buona Vista, Pasir Panjang, Labrador Park and Haw Par Villa are on schedule to attain BSC by the end of this year. Structural works at Holland Village Station have also been substantially completed.

About Circle Line

12 The CCL is an orbital, medium capacity line that links all Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines running into the city. It will offer inter-suburban connectivity that is currently not provided by the MRT system.

13 The first five stations on the CCL from Bartley to Marymount had opened for revenue service on 28 May 2009.

14 The CCL has a total of 29 stations, of which six are interchange stations linking to the other existing MRT lines. These interchange stations are Dhoby Ghaut, Paya Lebar, Serangoon, Bishan, Buona Vista and HarbourFront. The integration of Circle Line with the existing MRT lines will provide greater convenience and allow commuters to enjoy accessibility to various locations in Singapore. It will cut down travelling time when commuters bypass the city centre to go to their destinations.

15 Daily ridership of the CCL is estimated to be close to half a million when it is fully operational.

Tunnelling at Circle Line 4, Contract C855
(From Haw Par Villa Station to Farrer Road Station)

1 The last tunnel boring machine (TBM) on Circle Line Stage 4 (CCL4) broke through into the Farrer Road station on 17 August 2009.

2 Tunnelling at this stretch of the CCL consist of four drives. The two drives from one-north to Haw Par Villa were completed in February 2008.

3 The other two drives, from one-north to Farrer Road station, driving through Buona Vista and Holland Village stations, battled through many challenges on their way towards the Farrer Road station.

Tunnelling in close proximity to sensitive structures

4 Despite the efforts to design the alignment to avoid existing structures, not all could be avoided. The TBMs had to drive past numerous structures, including the colonial houses at Nepal Park, KTM Malayan railway at Commonwealth Avenue, old 2-storey shophouses at Holland Village, private residential estates at Belmont Road, Cornwall Gardens and Leedon Road.

5 The project team overcame the challenges of tunnelling past these structures by employing innovative engineering techniques and working closely with the various stakeholders.

Variable ground conditions

6 Singapore's wide range of rapidly changing geology makes the local underground conditions difficult to predict. The variability in ground conditions along the tunnel alignment posed another challenge.

7 At this stretch of tunnel alignment, the engineers encountered extremely fine and soft soil, weathered rock and exceptionally strong granite. To overcome this challenge, a more advanced model of TBM - the slurry machine, was introduced to cope with the difficult geology. To further enhance the safety of the works, LTA carried out extensive investigation of the subsurface conditions along the tunnel alignment and whenever necessary, improve the ground.

8 Tunnelling though the 33.3-kilometre CCL is not without its challenges. LTA is proud to have overcome all these challenges and in the process, draw valuable lessons for the upcoming rail projects.

^^
The status information above suggests that CCL1 and CCL2 will probably open together and that CCL4 and CCL5 will probably open together. The alternative would be to open the line leaving some stations closed for several months with the trains passing through without stopping.

^^
The status information above suggests that CCL1 and CCL2 will probably open together and that CCL4 and CCL5 will probably open together. The alternative would be to open the line leaving some stations closed for several months with the trains passing through without stopping.

NEL has already done this. :)

Only thing would be left to SMRT - final decision after final testing and commissioning of the stations.

wah. nicol highway station has caught up with its stage 2 peers. grats!

Nicoll Highway is much smaller now, and probably on an accelerated schedule - which could explain its current progress.

yeah, doesn't matter if a few stations aren't done... just hurry up and open the statoins :D

and yes, nicoll highway has shrunk but the development is pretty rapid!

On a related note to Nicoll Highway station:

New condo to get walkway to MRT station

21 Aug 09

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20090821/b2-1.jpg

HOW'S this for a condominium's selling point: Near MRT station. Complete with all-weather walkway.

The new Concourse Skyline in Beach Road could be the first private housing project to have an overhead bridge linking it to Singapore's mass transit system.

Other condo projects are likely to follow, in what could be an emerging trend.

Once it is completed, residents of the 99-year lease Concourse Skyline, being built on a demolished wing of the Concourse complex, will need to walk only about 200m to the Circle Line's rebuilt (and relocated) Nicoll Highway station due to open next year.

The 360-unit condo, developed by listed property group Hong Fok at an estimated $200 million, is expected to be ready by 2013.

Concourse Skyline's unique addition arose from rather unusual circumstances. The original Nicoll Highway station, which was much nearer to the Concourse, would have had an underground link to the former Concourse wing. But when the uncompleted station collapsed, killing four workers in a 2004 construction accident, plans for the underground link were scrapped.

A dispute then ensued between the Land Transport Authority and Hong Fok. Neither party would comment on this, but The Straits Times understands it partly involved the condo developer wanting direct access to the new station. The issue was settled last year, resulting in the overhead residential link.

Why not an underground connection?

'The new Concourse development is no longer a commercial space, and the new MRT station is much farther away,' explained Hong Fok director S.E. Cheong.

The project will be carried out in three stages, the first being the overhead bridge spanning Nicoll Highway. It was completed recently.

Construction of the second stage that links the overhead bridge to the MRT station, complete with lifts and escalators, is under way.

Once the Concourse Skyway nears completion, the final segment joining the condo to the bridge will be built by Hong Fok. Access to this segment will be through a secured doorway, passable only to residents.

Hong Fok had already included the linkway in publicity materials for the condo. The project was launched last year just as the impact of the world financial crisis hit Singapore. Units were then priced at between $1,500 and $1,800 per sq ft. Mr Cheong said yesterday 140 units have been sold.

City Developments' massive $2.5 billion South Beach project - also in Beach Road and targeted to be up by 2016 - will also have mass transit links. A spokesman said the 3.5ha commercial-and-residential project will have underground links to both Circle Line and Downtown Line stations, as well as to CityLink Mall that connects to the City Hall station and Raffles City Shopping Centre.

christan@sph.com.sg

The reporter seems did not do homework and put up the wrong fact. There is no Downtown MRT station connected to South Beach project. The Downtown MRT stations nearby are Bugis and Promenade - but these stations are further.

Circle Line station next to South Beach project is Esplanade.

Yup they're probably confused with all the new lines :lol:

Actually, for some of the future MRT stations especially along the DTL2, some of the stations are right beside residential land. Would it be possible for direct basement connections to condos? Even if yes, would LTA undertake the construction?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3473/3840791463_f4ebdc4063_o.jpg

Source: URA Sale of Sites - Land Parcel at Beach Road (http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/BeachRd(Mar07)/Beach%20Rd_22feb07.pdf)

Note: There is a link to Raffles City from Esplanade MRT station. :)

Yup they're probably confused with all the new lines :lol:

Actually, for some of the future MRT stations especially along the DTL2, some of the stations are right beside residential land. Would it be possible for direct basement connections to condos? Even if yes, would LTA undertake the construction?

Downtown MRT station would be definitely connected to nearby residential skyscrapers. Telok Blangah CCL has overhead pass, instead of underground connection.

The Sail condo has already its basement connected to network of underpasses.

As for Nicoll Highway, I believe that LTA officers say no because the land between Nicoll Highway and the residential project is marked for future development. It is not feasible to construct underground connection, only to find it being demolished to make way for new development - just like what ION Orchard did to the underpass between Wisma and Orchard MRT station.

So it would be up to the developers of this vacant land to connect to MRT station and the Concourse Skyline.

Yup but for private residential connections, believe that there will be restricted access since the station exit leads directly into private property? I'm not sure if we have any such cases with existing stations yet, unless the developers set aside a certain amount of public space within their premises to allow in-out access.

Yup but for private residential connections, believe that there will be restricted access since the station exit leads directly into private property? I'm not sure if we have any such cases with existing stations yet, unless the developers set aside a certain amount of public space within their premises to allow in-out access.

Similar to the Sail condo connection, the public can still access to the public areas but they cannot access to lifts to upper levels. If there are commercial buildings nearby, this would justify the underground connection where public can use more frequently than the residents of the whole condo. This may be the reason behind the dispute between the developers of Concourse Skyline and LTA.

I would dub this as sensationalist reporting...

The overhead bridge links to the Concourse office tower, and since the Concourse Skyline is part of that development, it's seen as a "direct private access", nothing more.

The Sail condo has already its basement connected to network of underpasses.

As for Nicoll Highway, I believe that LTA officers say no because the land between Nicoll Highway and the residential project is marked for future development. It is not feasible to construct underground connection, only to find it being demolished to make way for new development - just like what ION Orchard did to the underpass between Wisma and Orchard MRT station.

So it would be up to the developers of this vacant land to connect to MRT station and the Concourse Skyline.

Yup but for private residential connections, believe that there will be restricted access since the station exit leads directly into private property? I'm not sure if we have any such cases with existing stations yet, unless the developers set aside a certain amount of public space within their premises to allow in-out access.
The long-term solution is to require all new developments and redevelopments to have a public-access basement with connections provided to properties on all sides -- whether the neighbouring properties have already been developed yet or not. Such a regulation continues to drive the expansion of the PATH system of underground connections in Toronto.

Imagine, below every condo, every HDB estate, every office block and every government building, a public-access basement with shops, restaurants, cinemas, etc. all interconnected. Of course, all the nearby MRT stations would also be connected.

^^ that will make it like taiwan or japan!!! lol
but it won't be practical for new constructions though :(

Huh? What will not be practical for new construction?

If you construct everything underground, then in the future one has to be super careful about demolitions, building etc... also weakens the soil foundatoins this way...

correct me if i'm wrong... i'm not a geologist ok :P

I think LTA will take into account the possibility of new constructions being built around and integrated into their infrastructure, so should provide loading/strengthening to tunnels and station structures - as has been done in several examples here.

For DTL2, Kah Kee station will have provisions for a future structure on top of the exit near Hwa Chong Institution. Seen some plans that would require studs on top of the exit, perhaps for a future school building or something. They eventually plan to develop it, that's for sure. So perhaps besides residential, it could also extend to educational? Like how SMU will be connected to Bras Basah station.

Surprising to know Stadium isnt TOP yet.
Actually not quite. We do know that the alignment of the tunnels between Stadium and Nicoll Highway had to be shifted, so possibly this delayed the station gaining TOP due to an extended construction phase to support the TBM drive towards new Nicoll Highway?

For DTL2, Kah Kee station will have provisions for a future structure on top of the exit near Hwa Chong Institution. Seen some plans that would require studs on top of the exit, perhaps for a future school building or something. They eventually plan to develop it, that's for sure. So perhaps besides residential, it could also extend to educational? Like how SMU will be connected to Bras Basah station.

OH! like Clarke Quay and HarbourFront stations!

22nd Aug 2009, Nicoll Highway station.

Station buildings seem to be structurally quite intact. A continuation to the current overpass from Concourse is taking shape.

http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af255/spr4ttel/SingaporeWalks20090823004.jpg

http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af255/spr4ttel/SingaporeWalks20090823006.jpg

Is this another entrance being constructed next to (east side) Concourse? It would only make sense to do so:

http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af255/spr4ttel/SingaporeWalks20090823002.jpg

Touching up around the entrance nearest to the upcoming Gardens by the Bay project (far left), which now has a nice glass finish:

http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af255/spr4ttel/SingaporeWalks20090823007.jpg

nicol stn is not behind golden mile?

nicol stn is not behind golden mile?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3770727547_29c3eddbec_o.jpg
The original station in dashed lines was planned next to Concourse.

This little bit was slipped into the earlier tunneling complete announcements:


The 33.3-kilometre rail project is expected to hit a daily ridership of half a million when fully operational.

SMRT said last month's daily ridership has only hit 32,000, lower that the initial projected daily ridership of 55,000.


http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/449350/1/.html

Not really a surprise, since the current section is close to useless, but I wonder how realistic that "half a million" is?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3770727547_29c3eddbec_o.jpg
The original station in dashed lines was planned next to Concourse.

what will happen to the original tunnel that has been dug out? did they refill it?

or just leave it there? or make it a storage place?

so when next time we travel along that route we will see a detour to nothingness?

This little bit was slipped into the earlier tunneling complete announcements:



http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/449350/1/.html

Not really a surprise, since the current section is close to useless, but I wonder how realistic that "half a million" is?

a circle line is only viable when the circle is complete (or close to completion)
even kids playing with choo choo trains knows that.

and i bet tourists who will rely more on MRTs rather than buses will not utilize stage 3 as there is no attractions there.

what will happen to the original tunnel that has been dug out? did they refill it?

or just leave it there? or make it a storage place?

so when next time we travel along that route we will see a detour to nothingness?

The original one is buried and closed.

Not really a surprise, since the current section is close to useless, but I wonder how realistic that "half a million" is?

This would already justify the foresight of using 3 train cars instead of 6 train cars.

Half a million comes from full completion of Circle Line.

This little bit was slipped into the earlier tunneling complete announcements:



http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/449350/1/.html

Not really a surprise, since the current section is close to useless, but I wonder how realistic that "half a million" is?

^^I think it's pretty realistic to be honest, give 1 or 2 years after the entire line is opened, it should reach that target. I've heard people talk about how much the convenience the CCL will bring, and how they'd be willing to travel intra-regions more frequently than they now do. Also, CCL1 serves the Marina Centre area, and will probably attract various workers who otherwise have to trek from City Hall station or take buses.

Actually, how do they count the ridership on the Circle Line, especially since I expect a large majority use it merely for connections.

^^ yeah, i was really anticipating CCL from the Marina Centre area... think it would really benefit :)
think the construction workers are kinda 'rushing' the final bit... desperate for the stations to start operating...
by the way... i think testing is also underway :)

Stages 1 & 2 of Circle Line to open in first half of 2010
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 30 August 2009 2018 hrs


SINGAPORE: The next phase of the Circle Line – Stages 1 and 2 – will start operations in the first half of 2010. Transport Minister Raymond Lim revealed this at a dialogue session in Bukit Panjang on Sunday.

Its exact opening date, however, will only be finalised after engineers complete the necessary tests.

The first five stations on the Circle Line opened for service on May 28. Even though ridership has not been as high as initially projected on the 5.7-kilometre stretch, this could change with the opening of 11 new stations next year.

Stage 1 of the Circle Line starts from Dhoby Ghaut, through MRT stations like Esplanade and Nicoll Highway, and ends at Stadium, while Stage 2 starts from Mountbatten, through interchange station Paya Lebar, and ends at Tai Seng.

The other 13 stations from Marymount to Harbourfront will be ready by 2011. Daily ridership of this 33.3-kilometre line is estimated to be close to half a million when it is fully operational.

As for buses, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), which is taking over the role of central bus network planner from year's end, will consult grassroots leaders islandwide on how to improve the bus network from next month.

Mr Lim said: "Rather than do a major overhaul of the existing system which may actually lead to people being worse off, (we want to) get a feel of how residents want this because really, there is no right or wrong answer here. Different people have different needs and want it done differently."

LTA hopes to complete this consultation exercise by end-March next year.

A Bukit Panjang resident, whose child has to endure long bus rides to school, said: "Because there are no direct buses, it takes three hours of travelling time, to and fro, from our constituency to Nanyang Technological University."

Another resident has a grouse on the location of a new MRT station which is to be built in Bukit Panjang as part of the new Downtown Line.

"All of us are very happy about that, but the location isn't very convenient because it's not linked to the LRT and is far away from the interchange," he said.

Responding to this, Mr Lim said there are technical constraints in the area, but the LTA is looking for a better solution.

What Bukit Panjang's grassroots leaders hope to achieve in their talks with the LTA is to move the bus interchange from its current premises closer to the new MRT station of the Downtown Line.

This would then link all three transport nodes – MRT, LRT and buses – within a 70-metre radius. Currently, the proposed new MRT station is 120 metres away from the bus interchange.


- CNA/so

^^ oh man! i can hear the hallelujah chorus :D

Important points to note:


CCL1 and CCL2 to open by mid-2010, which I think everyone here more or less predicted
CCL4 and CCL5 to open by 2011 (yet again, we already know that)
Stressed again that LTA is taking over route management. Let's hope they do a good job at this rather than do what was done after NEL opened.
Suggestion to move Bt Panjang bus interchange -that's new, yes?

Suggestion to move Bt Panjang bus interchange -that's new, yes?

That's news to me. Otherwise it's all confirmation of what we expected.

I imagine the next big news will be the announcement of the DTL3 station locations, then announcement of the CCL1/CCL2 opening date.

That's news to me. Otherwise it's all confirmation of what we expected.

I imagine the next big news will be the announcement of the DTL3 station locations, then announcement of the CCL1/CCL2 opening date.

Think the likely outcome for seamless integrated transport hub is to build a brand new LRT right above the new Bukit Panjang MRT station and shift the existing bus interchange another 50-7o meters up to edge of Upper Bukit Timah Road. More costly option but seamless travel.

Important points to note:


Stressed again that LTA is taking over route management. Let's hope they do a good job at this rather than do what was done after NEL opened.
Suggestion to move Bt Panjang bus interchange -that's new, yes?


What happened to the buses after NEL opened?
I would actually appreciate it if all the bus stops around the island would actually have actual timings on when the bus would arrive... this is still lacking and the bus arrivals are very very unpredictable :(

It would be actually very cool if MRT, LRT and Bus interchange all coincides at Bukit Panjang, like Sengkang.

wow wow wow! maybe got chance to talk CCL already. until now no chance unless go and take intentionally :) still i will be making use of Stage 4 and stage 5 the most

News from the ground -- HarbourFront MRT exit "C" (one of two opening directly into Vivocity) has been closed since last week to facilitate Circle Line MRT works.

^^ so what are they doing to exit C?

Think the likely outcome for seamless integrated transport hub is to build a brand new LRT right above the new Bukit Panjang MRT station and shift the existing bus interchange another 50-7o meters up to edge of Upper Bukit Timah Road. More costly option but seamless travel.

What this will entail is that the new "transport hub" will be quite isolated from Bukit Panjang Plaza, which is currently just opposite the junction in front of the interchange. Hence there will be loss in opportunity in connecting commercial and transit elements seemlessly. One option is to allow for the exapnsion of Bt Panjang Plaza across the road such that it connects between the LRT station, and the new bus interchange and MRT station in a similar way as AMK Hub. However such development has to be in line with demand for commercial amenities in the area and the feasibility of developing a continuous mall that stretches over such a long distance. Taking into consideration that the mall should not put pressure on neigbourhood shops and eateries, and that there is another mall (Ten Mile Junction) in the vicinity.

What this will entail is that the new "transport hub" will be quite isolated from Bukit Panjang Plaza, which is currently just opposite the junction in front of the interchange. Hence there will be loss in opportunity in connecting commercial and transit elements seemlessly. One option is to allow for the exapnsion of Bt Panjang Plaza across the road such that it connects between the LRT station, and the new bus interchange and MRT station in a similar way as AMK Hub. However such development has to be in line with demand for commercial amenities in the area and the feasibility of developing a continuous mall that stretches over such a long distance. Taking into consideration that the mall should not put pressure on neigbourhood shops and eateries, and that there is another mall (Ten Mile Junction) in the vicinity.
Jurong Point II in the making....

^^ Go underground like in Taiwan or Japan! :D

As many of you might predict, in my opinion, the best solution would be an underground plaza at Bukit Panjang connecting the MRT, LRT, and bus stations.

Going underground doesn't solve the fact that if moved closer to the DTL station, Bukit Panjang Plaza will be still quite a distance away.

I'm going to be bullish about the whole thing and I'll argue that the Bukit Panjang-CCK-Cashew districts WILL be capable of supporting another mall. Let's face it, Ten Mile Junction isn't a proper mall and is the less convenient but I believe that it fills a small niche, and so can Bukit Panjang Plaza.

I'm not sure why this discussion is in the CCL thread rather than the DTL thread. Anyway, the simplest and least expensive solution would be to move the bus interchange 100 meters to the west. The best solution, though far more expensive, would be to move the bus interchange and connect everything with a new underground mall, most of which could be built under the new bus interchange. It's really a shame that the LRT is elevated rather than underground.

Going underground doesn't solve the fact that if moved closer to the DTL station, Bukit Panjang Plaza will be still quite a distance away.

I'm going to be bullish about the whole thing and I'll argue that the Bukit Panjang-CCK-Cashew districts WILL be capable of supporting another mall. Let's face it, Ten Mile Junction isn't a proper mall and is the less convenient but I believe that it fills a small niche, and so can Bukit Panjang Plaza.

How isn't Ten Mile Junction a proper mall?
I won't mind another mall though, but maybe a bit more urban planning and careful homework would have solved this messy problem.

I'm not sure why this discussion is in the CCL thread rather than the DTL thread. Anyway, the simplest and least expensive solution would be to move the bus interchange 100 meters to the west. The best solution, though far more expensive, would be to move the bus interchange and connect everything with a new underground mall, most of which could be built under the new bus interchange. It's really a shame that the LRT is elevated rather than underground.

Haha its amazing how we always change topic subconciously... maybe because the news article talked about DTL.
and in my opinion the LRT is such an eyesore... and a waste of time and money :(

^^ so what are they doing to exit C?
I presume they're opening up the entrance to the upcoming Circle Line station and extending the paid area to allow transfers between the two. Hard to tell though because the work area is underground and walled up :nuts:

And a slight correction to my earlier post: it's not exit C (which will stay open), but one half of exit E, which is one of the "unique Y-shaped" exits you mentioned.

^^ There's a picture of how the station will look like at the entrance inside HarbourFront Centre, exit B.

http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/images/harbourfront.JPG
http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/images/harbourfront_platform.JPG

These 2 images presumably show what's behind the boards, at the underground entrance to Vivocity

Looking at the layout of Harbourfront NEL station, it's interesting to discover that the Y-shaped station access on the south (connecting to Vivocity) is designed with the intention that the circle line station will be located below and seemless connections between the 2 stations are already planned beforehand.

^^ Yes. However, transfers from NEL to CCL and vice-versa requires that commuters take the escalators up to the concourse and back down again, if I'm not wrong.

^^ There's a picture of how the station will look like at the entrance inside HarbourFront Centre, exit B.

http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/images/harbourfront.JPG
http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/images/harbourfront_platform.JPG

These 2 images presumably show what's behind the boards, at the underground entrance to Vivocity

Another skylight station? :lol:
i don't think the transfer will be as bad as dhoby ghaut right?
but i assume dhoby ghaut's transfer is only bad because of the circle line platforms that were already planned beforehand.

Looking at the layout of Harbourfront NEL station, it's interesting to discover that the Y-shaped station access on the south (connecting to Vivocity) is designed with the intention that the circle line station will be located below and seemless connections between the 2 stations are already planned beforehand.

Yeah, I notice in many new stations (NEL) that there are very unique Y-shaped station accesses (eg. 2 exits to the same building)

eg. Clarke Quay, access to Central

HarborFront, access to Vivo etc etc...

^^ Yes. However, transfers from NEL to CCL and vice-versa requires that commuters take the escalators up to the concourse and back down again, if I'm not wrong.

In any case, this is inevitable. The only way to get around this problem is to have 2 platforms stacked exactly on top of one another. Even when they are stacked, if they are not exactly aligned (like harbourfront), or are at an angle to one another, a transfer level is still required unless you make the platforms unrealistically wide. Or another way is to have side platforms instead of island ones for one of the lines. Most of the interchange stations that are not built in a single phase do not have such a luxury.

Singapore's transfer is actually already VERY convenient, in other south east asian cities, or in japan or korea, one has to even leave the building, cross the street and go through faregates...

^^ Upcoming Bukit Panjang MRT station to Bukit Panjang LRT station transfer will be like this :)

yay! first one in singapore.

this is bukit panjang interchange.
passengers who are continuing their journey on the bukit panjang lrt, please exit the station, cross the road for three traffic lights and walk for three bus stops.

LOL

this is bukit panjang interchange.
passengers who are continuing their journey on the bukit panjang lrt, please exit the station, cross the road for three traffic lights and walk for three bus stops.

Yeah, and I thought Bukit Merah MRT->bus interchange was going to be the "limit" for Singapore's *efficient* public transport system. But I heard that they're going to move the Bukit Panjang one? Or just a request?

Oh, and hi everyone. Was introduced to here by a member from another forum.

Well, Bukit Merah Interchange and Redhill is still the "limit". But on the other hand you can say that they are really 2 separate transport hubs. The problem is that Bt Merah is really old and planned without the anticipation that an MRT line will run north of it. In fact strictly speaking in terms of estate boundaries the station is located at the north west corner of Bt Merah, bordering Queenstown. Tiong Bahru is in fact within Bt Merah, and CCL stations Telok Blangah and Labrador will sit on the southern border.

Isn't Bukit Merah and Redhill the same meaning?
So why wasn't the station called Bukit Merah instead?

Isn't Bukit Merah and Redhill the same meaning?
So why wasn't the station called Bukit Merah instead?

And by the way, I still don't understand why on earth it has to be called Bukit Panjang station, and not by another distinguished name... haiz...

Anyways, getting off topic, Back to Circle Line~!

Isn't Bukit Merah and Redhill the same meaning?
So why wasn't the station called Bukit Merah instead?

And by the way, I still don't understand why on earth it has to be called Bukit Panjang station, and not by another distinguished name... haiz...

Anyways, getting off topic, Back to Circle Line~!

its a good question. personally I wont treat the interchange and MRT station as one because they are really pretty far apart...

Isn't Bukit Merah and Redhill the same meaning?
So why wasn't the station called Bukit Merah instead?

And by the way, I still don't understand why on earth it has to be called Bukit Panjang station, and not by another distinguished name... haiz...

Anyways, getting off topic, Back to Circle Line~!

Simple... the interchange is in "Bukit Merah Central". The MRT station is located opposite "Redhill Close". The naming of Redhill is from the 50s when the autonomous government were naming the estates by anglicized names such as St Margaret, St Michael, Queenstown, Commonwealth, etc to reflect our links with Great Britain and to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. Bt Merah was used back again in the 70s to reflect our Malay heritage and our national language.

Reminds me of how we were using dialect names all along, switched to Hanyu Pinyin names in the 80's, and then switched back to dialact names from the 90's. Flip flop logic.

Bukit Merah and Redhill has the meaning. Ask any Malaysians or Malay.
bukit merah's englsih translation is redhill.

I'm kind of surprised this hasn't made it on here yet, but Paya Lebar Road has been fully rediverted over the new CCL station for 2 weeks already. The transfer links are also coming up pretty much.

Oh, and there was that blurb about stages 1 and 2 opening in the first half of 2010 too. That hasn't made it here either?

^^
i think that blurb has already made it on here, and i think now they're testing the train ready for commision Q1 2010, comeon we have been waiting for soooo long =.=" haha

I'm kind of surprised this hasn't made it on here yet, but Paya Lebar Road has been fully rediverted over the new CCL station for 2 weeks already.

Ah, haven't been there for a while. So, no more curving roads that move around every now and then? I'd say that's the defining feature for motorists all throughout construction : odd curving roads = Welcome to the Circle Line! :)

^^ that's good paya lebar is back to normal because i would dread the construction of the circle line 'cos i had to take a stupid detour all the way back to simsville :(
would alight at aljunied because it was all the more convenient.

Stadium, Promenade & MacPherson pictures.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/3877015182_54f131db18_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40169275@N07/3877015182/sizes/l/

According to the article:
Dhoby Ghaut - Obtained TOP
Bras Basah - Obtained TOP
Esplanade - Obtained TOP
Promenade - Obtained TOP
Nicoll Highway - 90% complete
Stadium - 98% complete
Mountbatten - 85% complete
Dakota - 85% complete
Paya Lebar - 85% complete
MacPherson - 95% complete
Tai Seng - Obtained TOP

Thanks to all who posted images of the progress, very helpful for people like me who don't live in SG. :)

I must say, the interior of MacPherson looks stunning. I really dig the terracotta coloring of the stairs. Shame the outside is nothing special. Why on earth do the exits have to be so damn large?

Glad to hear that stage one and two will be opening soonish. Going to see the ridership increase dramatically. Paya will no doubt be the big one that makes this viable as an interchange line. And the stage 1 area will be great for travelling in the Marina area etc. I think they've done a good thing opening Stage 3 though. It gets people familiar with the system but on a section that isn't going to be mission-critical. Any problems that pop up won't bring the country to a stand-still.

Can anybody tell me why the escalators on the CCL have the visible spinning wheel at either end of the balistrade? Also am I the only one who thinks the top bits of the PSDs look much better on the NEL than the CCL? I just reckon the angled look is better, with the labels meeting the angle, whereas on the CCL they look a bit lost. And the red warning bit above the doors helps to more clearly communicate where the doors are. Anyway, just my OCD coming through.

^^
I think the exits have to be large because there are not many exits given it is a medium rail system... also given the space... just look at how horrifying chinatown station's exits are!

yeah! i can't wait for the opening... i am so excited!! i think i will really really benifit from stage one... as i go to the marina area quite a lot for eating, church, shopping, etc etc...

i think the spinning wheel is probably something 'fashionable' maybe? think lta wanted to try something different... and i also agree the psds do look much better on the nel... but maybe smrt wanted to do something different from sbs transit.
and i also like the red warning bit as well... but do you mean in terms of the old platform screen doors?

also, in general... could someone please translate this into english because i sadly have difficulty reading chinese :(

Stage 1 & 2 of the Circle Line comprise 11 stations, 5 have received TOP, the other 6 are expected to be completed by the end of the year. Testing of the trains and familiarisation exercises for station staff are being carried out. There are 4 interchange stations: Dhoby Ghaut (NSL & NEL), Promenade (DTL), Paya Lebar (EWL), Macpherson (DTL). Also, 3 stations have been fitted to double up as CD shelters, namely Dakota, Macpherson and Mountbatten.

^^
I think the exits have to be large because there are not many exits given it is a medium rail system... also given the space... just look at how horrifying chinatown station's exits are!Of course I think they need to be large in the sense of having lots of room, but some of the exits seem to be huge for the sake of being huge. High roofs etc, which do not make the exit any more functional. The only use I can see would be to make it easier to identify where the station is, but surely a sign would do a better job at this?

and i also agree the psds do look much better on the nel... but maybe smrt wanted to do something different from sbs transit.
and i also like the red warning bit as well... but do you mean in terms of the old platform screen doors?I noticed that the CCL PSDs are nearly identical to the ones at Changi airport, save for the different shaped light. So I guess that's the SMRT style. That said, I'm assuming LTA wants the experience to be such that it is one system, not two, so it seems odd they would allow the operator this much flexibility. At the same time, most people probably won't notice.

As for the red thing, see image:
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/6544/outrampsd.th.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/outrampsd.jpg/)
It's above the doors. I took this photo in mid-Feb 2009.

^^ then maybe the exits are just design wise i guess? but how are they too 'large' ?

in my opinion, i don't like the triangular shaped light? the square one is more refined...
the red thing i think is sbs transit style i guess... but i feel its quite unnecessary... like more simplicity in my opinion.

I hate the red sticker on the NEL psds because it looks very tacky but I understand why it has to be there. On SMRT's psds, red flashing lights are used when the psd closes, and with general perception by the eyes, is easier to spot even when you're not actually looking at it, you do notice it. However, on SBST's NEL, the flashing light is yellow, and the uneven surfaces on the PSD due to the presence of pillars, makes it harder for commuters to notice if the doors are about to close.

The large exit structures and more elaborate station designs, especially those you'll see in the Stage 1 stations, are design related. They were designed in the early 2000s or late 90s where there was a resurgence in the architectural world to design stations not only to be functional, but to give each station or group of stations their own architecture-worthy design.

^^ the lights on the CCL and Bishan NSL PSDs don't turn red when the doors close...
and i also dislike the red sticker... but i again think its to generally differentiate SMRT and SBS transit.

^^ then maybe the exits are just design wise i guess? but how are they too 'large' ?From the photos I've seen, it looks like they're taking up a fair bit of space, which could be better used for something else. Personal taste, of course, I'm a big fan of the near-hidden NYC Subway entrances ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:42nd_St_PABT_sta_jeh.JPG ).

Even so, compare Bartley ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CC12Bartley.jpg ) with MacPherson ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CC10Macpherson.jpg ). The former seems designed to only be as large as it needs to be to fit the escalators, whereas MacPherson is kind of huge for the sake of being huge. Not to say it's ugly, just could they have maybe trimmed it down a tad?

in my opinion, i don't like the triangular shaped light? the square one is more refined...
the red thing i think is sbs transit style i guess... but i feel its quite unnecessary... like more simplicity in my opinion.I dunno, I just find it all very functional. The triangle serves as a kind of direction marker, and the red helps to make it more obvious where the doors are. Yes, it's bleeding obvious, but it's public transport and the objective should be to make it as simple and functional as possible. This might sound stupid, but when I first got to SG, having never seen PSDs in my life, I got kinda confused about exactly where the doors were. Hence I like the red, and especially like stations where the floor is colored differently at the doors (NEL Dhoby Ghaut, I'm looking your way). Both of these just help you know where to go and stand.

^^ oh, you're not from singapore?

esplanade station has a new york style subway entry,
bartley's and macpherson's entrances are different because don't forget macpherson is going to be an interchange in 5 years time... look at the chaos when stations like outram and dhoby had to become interchanges...

I hate the red sticker on the NEL psds because it looks very tacky but I understand why it has to be there. On SMRT's psds, red flashing lights are used when the psd closes, and with general perception by the eyes, is easier to spot even when you're not actually looking at it, you do notice it. However, on SBST's NEL, the flashing light is yellow, and the uneven surfaces on the PSD due to the presence of pillars, makes it harder for commuters to notice if the doors are about to close.As I remember, while the light is encased in yellow plastic, it actually comes up red when illuminated. See here :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ne10potongpasir.jpg .

I much prefer the pillars to be mounted in the PSDs, creates a far more open platform layout. Much nicer. :)

^^ oh, you're not from singapore?Melbourne, urgghh. :D
Ironic that when MTR takes over operation of our "train network" in November they will be renaming the operator from "Connex (Veolia) to "Metro" (the train, tram, and bus system is all branded under "Metlink", which is state government, but the labels on the trains and buses and trams show the operator logo. Kind of like Singapore I guess). Metro, as I understand it means an interval of no more than every 10 minutes under any circumstances (and usually no more than 5) and no at-grade crossings with roads or trams. FAIL. I wonder if they really know what they're getting themselves into. I miss Singapore's MRT. You guys complain about it, but for me it was like heaven (apart from me being 6'2" and having my head touching the roof the whole time). :lol:

esplanade station has a new york style subway entry,
bartley's and macpherson's entrances are different because don't forget macpherson is going to be an interchange in 5 years time... look at the chaos when stations like outram and dhoby had to become interchanges...Yeah, I guess that's fair, but aren't there going to be more exits built for when DTL opens? Or am I mistaken? Actually, now that I think about it, adding DTL exits would probably be quite messy. Hmmm.

EDIT: And yes, have seen Esplanade's NYC-style entrance. Great except for the stairs you have to climb before going down the other stairs (although this is for safety so you don't accidentally fall down into the station, right?). I would love to see Singapore do more of these in future. You could have a station with 2 big grand entrances, then 2 of these more subtle ones. Just makes it easier to get in and out of the station.

EDIT: And yes, have seen Esplanade's NYC-style entrance. Great except for the stairs you have to climb before going down the other stairs (although this is for safety so you don't accidentally fall down into the station, right?).
Hi! :) The elevated entrances are to prevent flash floods from pouring into the station in the event of an exceptionally heavy thunderstorm. :)

i suspect we won't see nyc style exits anytime soon. probably because mrt exits will need to incorporate i) escalators and elevators, which in practical terms make the cover structure necessary, ii) vents, nyc's got its street level grills, i don't think we'll ever see that in sg.

I must say, the interior of MacPherson looks stunning. I really dig the terracotta coloring of the stairs. Shame the outside is nothing special. Why on earth do the exits have to be so damn large?

That is Exit C featured in the photos if I'm not wrong. MacPherson has 3 exits, of which Exits B and C are seemingly larger. This is probably due to the need to house electrical equipment such as generators, cooling towers, vents and such. If you've noticed, it is not an even roof level for the entire exit, but only above the portions where there are escalators and stairs down into the station and where the lift shaft is located. This compared to Bartley where there are separate rooms for such facilities on ground level on the opposite side of the wall from the escalators and stairs.

Use of materials such as glass over concrete with cladding can also lend a more open feel to the exit. Bartley and Stage 3 stations generally use more glass as they are located in residential areas over MacPherson and Tai Seng which are in industrial areas. You'll find that Dakota and Mountbatten exit designs differ slightly as they are located in residential areas along Stage 2.

Can anybody tell me why the escalators on the CCL have the visible spinning wheel at either end of the balistrade?

I'm sure its purely for design. At the point where the contracts were given out, no one knew who the operator would be yet. This also extends to the PSD element - LTA had no way of telling which company would win the tenders. Nevertheless, the PSDs, trains and escalators tend to lend the CCL a rather different feel to the NEL, perhaps people can identify the line better subconsciously this way.

Melbourne, urgghh. :D
Ironic that when MTR takes over operation of our "train network" in November they will be renaming the operator from "Connex (Veolia) to "Metro" (the train, tram, and bus system is all branded under "Metlink", which is state government, but the labels on the trains and buses and trams show the operator logo. Kind of like Singapore I guess). Metro, as I understand it means an interval of no more than every 10 minutes under any circumstances (and usually no more than 5) and no at-grade crossings with roads or trams. FAIL. I wonder if they really know what they're getting themselves into. I miss Singapore's MRT. You guys complain about it, but for me it was like heaven (apart from me being 6'2" and having my head touching the roof the whole time). :lol:



oh man, wish MTR would also do Transperth trains as well... I don't see why anyone should complain about Singapore's MRT... yes its not as good as Hong Kong's MTR but at least there's progress unlike here :(

but again that's off topic... sorry.

NYC's subways entrances are too cramp. they were build almost a century ago.

but NY's subway has more culture unlike Singapore's sterile stations :(
oh well... at least our trains are driverless and safe haha

Stage 1 & 2 testing video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi0LFBpHRWo

The video shows the train being tested in manual mode on the opposite direction (against normal operation direction). It starts at Dhoby Ghaut passing through the stations to Dakota without stopping. You do get to hear the announcements though.

Esplanade is pronounced as Es-plan-aid. Promenade is pronounced as Prom-en-ahd. Sounds kinda sophisticated for SMRT unlike the cheapo pronounciations they've been giving.


Braking testing Mountbatten to Dakota:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK_vVunPbx4

In this one, you can see how the train manages to stop accurately to align with the PSD at Dakota in manual mode.

^^ jialat man :( why they pronounce until so funny... its esplanard =.="
and the announcements sound quite badddddd especially bras basah

and thanks for uploading the video! :D

^^ Oh, they're not mine. Just happened to find them. ;) I think it is a step up over the existing announcements though.

^^ step up? how?

bras basah, esplanade, promenade and dakota sound TERRIBLE... like so muffled.

shows that very soon its going to open already, yayyy~! can joyride :)

The way how the pronouncer pronounced Bras Basah is terrible, but i'm happy they pronounced esplanade as (es-plen-ade) and promenade as (pro-men-ard) both pronounciation FTW!! COOL VIDS :D But i agree the pronounciation sounds muffled, probably because this is a recorded vid i guess...

what is the correct pronounciatoin of esplanade actually?
i was brought up thinking it was esplanaid until i came to perth and then heard the announcement here being of esplanard... so which one is right?

and i think bras basah should be re recorded using a malay persons voice!

^^ Its been posted here before, both are correct. Esplan-aid and Esplan-ard are correct pronounciations.

Its a step up in the sense that it does seem clearer even though muffled. Like nathpoop mentioned, there's a lot of other noises that can make the announcements sound muffled - the train, the walkie talkie, the other alarms and stuff that go off periodically. What I mean clearer is that they don't over intone or drag the pronounciations. For instance, the Paya Lebar is said in a way that is almost like the announcer is trying too hard to speak in an accent she doesn't have. Granted Bras Basah isn't a great example of this, but there are exceptions. Its not all going to be 100% perfect.

But Bukit Batok sounds ok what...

Like I said, not all are bad, but not all are perfect either. Don't have to be so rigid. I'm simply trying to explain my POV, you're entitled to your own too.

^^ sorry la...
anyways i wonder what it would be like if juanita melson were to record it? cos she's malay right?

going off topic... i wonder what it would sound like if all the station names of chinese dialect were recorded exactly like how they sound like eg. Hougang becomes 'aogang', Ang Mo Kio becomes 'angmorkyo' and Toa Payoh becomes 'doa-payo', as well as Pinyin names (eg. Bishan, Simei) pronounced with the tones.

i'm surprised all the announcements are pre-recorded meaning the stations ought to open very very soon.

i'm not sure how relevant the following article is... but it has something to do with circle line... hopefully we can avoid a nicoll highway esque tragedy this time...

---

Cracks in cathedral

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20090908/a4-1.jpg

THE foundations of Singapore's oldest Catholic church are weakening and the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is finding ways to stop the cracks in the 162-year-old building from going deeper.

Reverend Father Adrian Anthony, its rector, said the church had started noticing 'quite a good number of cracks' after the Land Transport Authority (LTA) began construction work on the MRT Circle Line around 2003.
Earlier, the Singapore Management University (SMU) also started building work on its new campus next door.

Although not visible to the naked eye the church started to tilt, he said. The cracks also got 'bigger and bigger with time'.

He told The Straits Times: 'It's not like the building is going to collapse tomorrow. It is still stable, but if we don't do anything about it, it will become unstable and dangerous to the public.'

The cathedral has hired engineers to study the extent of the damage.

It hopes to get a blueprint of how to restore and repair the building by November.

The Straits Times visited the church yesterday and signs of cracks on the church's walls, columns and floors were obvious. A crack of at least 2m long, for example, ran along the wall where the crucifix was hung.

Father Anthony said the church had had to wait until the LTA and SMU finished their construction before assessing the extent of the structural damage.

He added that the church had informed both parties of the damage, but declined to comment on their response to the church's plight.

^^ I think The Straits Times had absolutely nothing to post, and decided to dig out an old story. The church and LTA would have known about the cracks a long, long, long time ago already.

I won't nitpick on the announcements. Did u guys notice the extremely tight curve into Promenade?

The station name pronunciations are fine, except Bras Basah... sounds so horrible!

the journey from esplanade to promenade takes how long? and yeah it's a pretty sharp curve... but i also notice our MRT stations don't have any curves... why?
i think our straight platforms are better than curved platforms though (eg. HK MTR's Island Line)... looks terribly cavernous!

and yeah, maybe you're right the station name pronounciations are fine... i will give in on the 'esplanade' bit but 'bras basah' NEEDS TO BE REDONE.

I was watching the video for the stretch from Esplanade to Promenade, I have been trying to ascertain if the same platforms are going to be used for the IR branch.

http://www.lta.gov.sg/images/millenia_station.jpg

You guys think the following 2 screenshots from the video corresponds to the branches as shown above? (Coming down from top into Promenade station)

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/6084/picture1qe.png
^^ can roughly make out a tunnel ahead while the track curves left.
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4997/picture2fd.png
^^ on the immediate right of this picture is an opening.

^^^ I'm not too sure about that but, if i'm not wrong CCL Promenade, DTL promenade and CCL promenade (branch line) are inter-conected. Somewhere nearby the station.

hey i got this from sgforums

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK_vVunPbx4

Stopping accuracy mode in CM

.........................................

Another vid.. From DhobyGhaut to Dakota.. "Express"... CM Mode Signalling & EMU Test.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi0LFBpHRWo

--------------------------------

PEC Call (Passenger Emergency Call) Test....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTLVRK7qUy0

-------------------------------

Couple/Uncouple Test

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff167kKmiwI

........................................

When our train up and running at Raw stage with un-tuned braking, un-tuned stopping accuracy... with the aircondition problems... Running AUTO mode.. during 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVsTWBG-Pws

-------------------------------

The detrainment Door Tests..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrSea84bhUY

Quite true that they have improved accessibility along the Downtown Area. Look at our Downtown Line and all that...

This little bit was slipped into the earlier tunneling complete announcements:



http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/449350/1/.html

Not really a surprise, since the current section is close to useless, but I wonder how realistic that "half a million" is?

It needs time for people to change and adapt to new things. Just like when Buangkok Station opened on the open house, more than 2000 people were there. But the next day, a mere 4 passengers were seen. But now, I can see that there are people alighting at every train.

(disclaimer- many photos in this post)
CCL2 photos, taken today

CC10 Macpherson

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3478/3908661587_1f7d6e5f50.jpg

close up. note that this station is a CD shelter
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/3908661963_64c4cbfaec.jpg

CC9 Paya Lebar

road reinstatement almost complete
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3908676799_01aa5b81ff.jpg

signposts
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2600/3908677367_02c1979867.jpg

existing station structure
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3908677757_89e9e58a5d.jpg

new station exit 1. note the bus stop in front of it that is still under construction
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3909459978_0f01b802ba.jpg

new station exit 2. there will be a roundabout (not fully pictured) for cars to drive into, and i believe the protruding section will be some sort of a porch
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/3908681493_5086bdf2b8.jpg

linkage to underground CCL
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/3908681821_ec6b160e3f.jpg

new station exit 3 (still boarded up) + reinstated bus stop
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2564/3908682663_c8c7ff4d0a.jpg

CC8 Dakota

new station exit 1
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3908687847_c6a8ac40ab.jpg

new station exit 2
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/3908689233_9db8a4d111.jpg

CC7 Mountbatten

new station exit 1. note the lift shaft in the background under construction
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3909475332_4a872e73e3.jpg

new station exit 2 (aerial view). road reinstatement is more or less complete
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3909475870_569bfe3f74.jpg

seen on ground level, together with the walkway leading to it
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3909477292_78bb0918ee.jpg

more photos pls visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40169275@N07/

Odd that the bus stop at new exit 1 at Paya Lebar is now under construction once again. When I took the bus one or two weeks back I'm pretty sure I got off at that exact bus stop. Perhaps they hadn't had time to put up the temporary bus shelter yet. But thanks for the photos too. Good for people to get an idea of the drastic progress that has been Paya Lebar.

While we all anticipate the opening of CCL Stage 1 and 2 by middle of next year, I suddenly remembered about how it would be so convenient for us to go to Suntec City and Esplanade, removing all that walking from CityLink Mall. But as we all enjoy this convenience, it suddenly dawned on me that crowds along CityLink Mall may be greatly reduced, and those shops operating there may suffer. Sometimes, its just these improvements and integrations that benefit some, and prove to be a disadvantage to some others. The challenge is to make the disadvantage minimal, I guess.

Trust me, you'll still need CityLink to get from Esplanade station to the Esplanade. There will still be traffic. Shops that aren't already making money will continue to suffer but those that are will remain. I wouldn't be too concerned about this.

Trust me, you'll still need CityLink to get from Esplanade station to the Esplanade. There will still be traffic. Shops that aren't already making money will continue to suffer but those that are will remain. I wouldn't be too concerned about this.

But there is a stretch from City Hall MRT to Esplanade Theatres right? I mean, most likely those people walking would be those who come from Marina Bay and East West Line... For the East they could transfer at Paya Lebar too but I doubt many will do that.... Talking about Paya Lebar, I heard from sgforums that the Paya Lebar platforms are like Ang Mo Kio's stn layout but like Hong Kong MTR's Choi Hung stn's layout, where there are 4 platforms and three tracks. Refer to wiki. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choi_Hung_Station . Take note that removed the middle track when entering the layout.

^^ i think there are still 4 platforms at amk and j.east stations just that without screen doors it is being called the 'middle platform'

But there is a stretch from City Hall MRT to Esplanade Theatres right? I mean, most likely those people walking would be those who come from Marina Bay and East West Line... For the East they could transfer at Paya Lebar too but I doubt many will do that....
Either way, from City Hall or Esplanade stations, you'd still need to use the CityLink Mall to get to the Theatres on the Bay. The connection arm to the Theatres on the Bay in in the middle.

The bigger-than-usual exits at Macpherson and Mountbatten stations look quite bland. Perhaps SMRT can put up their big logo at the top corner of the station exit building, something like what the HK MTR does: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tai_Wai_Station_Building.jpg

BTW I've been wondering if the LTA have ever considered adopting the Spanish solution for existing Buona Vista station on the East-West line. They could have easily build 2 platforms at both sides of the station, since there's room for expansion. And since Buona Vista is going to become an interchange station, it would be better if the 2 platforms are built, to relief the expected congestion when the Circle line opens.

wondering if the LTA have ever considered adopting the Spanish solution

Don't you think that in order for the Spanish solution to work successfully, dwell times must be longer? Granted, it could be applicable to interchange stations such as Buona Vista, but then again, I doubt Buona Vista will ever reach passenger transfer volumes as high as Jurong East or Outram Park where I believe they have a stronger case for a Spanish solution.

In fact, to some extent, the JEMP is a Spanish-esque solution being adopted.

Is Promenade the first MRT station to have stacked platforms? I noticed that from the maps on wikipedia... and i thought MacPherson would also have side platforms as well...

Promenade is not the 1st to have stacked platforms. City Hall and Raffles Place stations both have stacked platforms. MacPherson station will have an island platform for the CCL station, and side platforms for the DTL station.

^^ i don't mean that, i mean promenade's stacked platform is for a single line right? like stevens mrt station. like the first basement would serve trains bound for dhoby ghaut, and the second basement for harborfront bound trains as opposed to city hall, raffles place where the line intersects.

They are all considered stacked platforms. However, if you're talking about for a single line, then that's probably true. See the following pictures for more details.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e130/whataprob/Rail/Promenadeplan1.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e130/whataprob/Rail/Promenadeplan2.png
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e130/whataprob/Rail/Promenadetunnelarrangementplan.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e130/whataprob/Rail/Promenadetunnelarrangementplan2.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e130/whataprob/PromenadeDTLandCCLtunnels.jpg

^^ i don't mean that, i mean promenade's stacked platform is for a single line right? like stevens mrt station. like the first basement would serve trains bound for dhoby ghaut, and the second basement for harborfront bound trains as opposed to city hall, raffles place where the line intersects.

promenade is similar to city hall and raffles place since it is after all an interchange for DTL and CCL, just like the other 2 city int are for EWL and NSL.

^^ so is bayfront right?

Promenade is not exactly similar to City Hall/Raffles Place; it does not feature cross-platform transfers. Promenade CCL station has been built and almost completed, while the DTL station is now currently being constructed.

We've not been able to see any blueprints for Bayfront, but the general feeling is that it would be *probably* be similar to City Hall/Raffles Place, just like the original Nicoll Highway station, before it was shifted to its new location.

^^ that's what i meant... it's a bit like lumphini station in bangkok.

What is the frequency like on the Circle Line at the moment?

I think it's 7 minutes if i'm not wrong... ^^

Hmm... I don't think that's often enough. Maybe it's passable with just Stage 3 open, so it's more of a "so people can get familiar with the line" kind of operation at the moment, but I reckon they should increase it when they get Stage 1 and 2 open.

This is the kind of thing where having a higher frequency will likely increase usage. Say you're going from one line to another, and you have the choice of changing via the CCL or going into the city and making a direct transfer, if you're going to have to wait 7 minutes for a circle line train, it's going to put you off using it. Sure, it might still work out quicker, but I'd personally feel like I'm wasting time. If you bring the wait down to say 3-4 minutes all the time, then it makes it far more attractive.

^^
well there are only five stations anyways... plus with low capacity it's not practical to have frequent services as of yet...

it will change when stage 1 and 2 open.
probably 3-4 minutes or even 2 minutes?

Let's hope so!

^^ well that was the intent in the first place! :lol:

Depends on the timing too. Off peak currently is about 6 minutes while at peak it drops to about 3 minutes between trains for an 8 minute journey.

It would appear that the CCL is getting busier.

I've noticed recently on the CCL during morning, lunchtime and evening peak hours that it's becoming increasingly standing-room only. Not too sure about non-peak hours.

^^ well how can it be when it's only 5 stations?

^^ well, apparently, more and more are traveling in between Serangoon and Bishan and v.v.

popular route? hmm... maybe 3 cars weren't such a good idea :ohno:

popular route? hmm... maybe 3 cars weren't such a good idea :ohno:

I find the three cars ok. Just that, this is something that must be put up with. Opening just five stations is a bit hard to unless it were to be in the city or has a high passenger demand. Or else, do not expect SMRT to "invest" money when it is not a guaranteed return. It would be good if they can speed up Paya Lebar. But if LTA likes to go by the book, then they will have to speed up Mountbatten and Dakota also. My guess is by then Stage 1 would have been done soon since there is only 2 stations that still have major works going on. Don't mind if I ask but has anyone seen the Esplanade Platform? Heard it can be seen from CityLink Mall. Can somebody post a photo? Thanks. And are there any new exits at Dhoby Ghaut? I suppose not...

No new exits from Dhoby Ghaut.
I don't think anyone can see the Esplanade Platform from Citylink as of yet... anyways, it's going to open next year so lets just look forward to that :)

popular route? hmm... maybe 3 cars weren't such a good idea :ohno:I think 3 cars is fine for the Circle Line. When you consider that the signalling system can do a 90 second headway, and can probably be upgraded to 60 second sometime in the future, the line becomes pretty high capacity. You have to also remember that most people will not use it for more than a few stops. I don't think anybody would seriously catch the CCL from Bartley to Esplanade instead of going Bartley to Serangoon, then onto NEL to Dhoby, then back onto CCL to Esplanade. If things do one day get really strained, start removing seats like on EWL/NSL network. Most rides are going to be pretty short, so standing won't be too much of an issue for most.

With an orbital line, it is probably easier to manage with shorter trainsets as well.

What concerns me more is the Downtown Line being built also with 3 car sets. This is more of a radial line, like the EWL, so I worry they're being a bit short-sighted by using shorter trains. It seems to have a fairly large potential catchment. I hope that the Thomson and Eastern Region lines are built for 6 car trains, as the TSL will be ineffective at alleviating the strain on the NSL if it has half the capacity.

The myth that 3-cars with higher frequencies will means less crowded trains is just wishful thinking and absolutely unpractical thinking IMHO. That belief assumes that ALL commuters put personal comfort as the priority while commuting, which isn't true for most, including myself. You can see it happening almost on a daily basis on the NSL already, it's just how people react and behave.

Yes, for most commuters, they'll only be taking the CCL for a few stops only (up to 6 stops), and that is what I believe, will be the problem. With this perceived "lower" expectation, commuters' threshold and tolerance of the crowds will be higher; being more willing to squeeze rather than wait for 3 minutes for the next train, even though it might be empty.

I don't wanna go OT but the thing is that the DTL, TSL and ERL, for most of their alignment, don't have an immediately large passenger catchment. Realistically, the DTL2 wouldn't have been given the go-ahead were it not for the unexpected population explosion at Bukit Panjang-CCK, while the ERL, with the exception of Marine Parade, passes through some of Singapore's most low density housing districts. The success or failure of the TSL depend on whether LTA aligns it through Orchard, Sin Ming and Ang Mo Kio, while the location of the stations at population centres is critical for the DTL3.

^^
Comfort is about the lowest priority for me. I care about high speeds, low waiting times, and convenient station locations.

^^ well even though the circle line is an orbital line,

i don't agree with what woz2024 said here:

I don't think anybody would seriously catch the CCL from Bartley to Esplanade instead of going Bartley to Serangoon, then onto NEL to Dhoby, then back onto CCL to Esplanade.

the journey would take so much longer, including transfer distances, waiting for the next train etc etc...
don't forget the interchanges aren't like city hall or raffles place esque cross platform.

People always travel be least transfers because of the convenience - and at most 1 transfer, if it results in a shorter ride. There's no way someone is going to go Bartley-Serangoon - Dhoby - Esplanade when there is a direct route!

Actually, as evidenced by woz2024, there will still be people, despite knowing that the CCL is a more direct route but once they see the CCL route has a few more stations between Bartley and Esplanade, will still take to the more "convenient" route of double transferring at Serangoon and Dhoby Ghaut.

Cue the LTA showcases, open houses, media... and us, to help change such mindsets.

More stations, really?

Bartley, Serangoon (change with long walk) "Woodleigh - closed for now" Potong Pasir, Boon Keng, Farrer Park, Little India, Dhoby Ghaut (change, with a long walk) Bras Basah, Esplanade: 8

Bartley, Tai Seng, MacPherson, Paya Lebar, Dakota, Mountbatten, Stadium, Nicoll Highway, Promenade, Esplanade: 9

1 station more, but no transfers.. I know which way I'm going!

i think bartley to esplanade direct is hmmm... maybe 20 minutes?

so imagine bartley to serangoon
waiting time 4 minutes
travel time 2 minutes
transfer time 3 minutes
waiting time 4 minutes

serangoon to dhoby travel time is maybe 15 minutes if i'm not wrong?

then transfer at dhoby 5 minutes
waiting for the train 4 minutes
dhoby to esplanade is about 9 minutes

All together about 50 minutes travel time! :ohno:

Circle Line is good... but it's meant for more direct routes... and for serving the Marina area and other areas which are yet to have mass rail access. more convenient routes with small transfers could include Serangoon to Yishun, Paya Lebar to Toa Payoh, etc etc etc...

You can never underestimate the stupidity (or ignorance) of human beings.

Till this day, there are still Singaporeans who don't know how to do a transfer at City Hall, much less a transfer at Dhoby Ghaut or Outram Park. (I'm currently temp-ing; doing work regarding the upcoming CEPAS card, so I've to talk/train lotsa people, including SMRT staff).

That's why you hear stories on the news of people traveling from Serangoon to Bishan via Dhoby Ghaut regularly prior to the opening of the CCL. If you don't tell people that Bartley to Esplanade is faster via the CCL, they'll never realize it. Some people will think that just because "on the map", it looks like it's much further, then in reality, it has to be true. That's why LTA has to have those open houses to make sure the majority of the commuting population are aware of the travel timings on this new option. After that, if they didn't attend or didn't bother to get themselves informed, or for some reason, choose to continue on the longer journey, then it's their problem.

^^
@ddes: you work for smrt?

i think maybe the people who don't know how to do transfers are older people.
my grandmother who is still mobile does not understand english and therefore i had to draw her a map in traditional chinese and explain to her the options of travel.

i remember the first time she went to dhoby ghaut she lost her way because all the signs were in english, and didn't know how to interchange with the north south line to get to orchard. same was when she went from orchard to sengkang.

are you serious that many people don't even know how to do CROSS PLATFORM TRANSFERS?!

but maybe its because singaporeans still don't use MRT as a regular transit option...

Cue the LTA showcases, open houses, media... and us, to help change such mindsets.
No, cue decent public transport planners like http://gothere.sg that can calculate the fastest way to travel between two points, including transfer and waiting time.

No, cue decent public transport planners like http://gothere.sg that can calculate the fastest way to travel between two points, including transfer and waiting time.

Why didn't I think about that? :lol:

^^
@ddes: you work for smrt?

Nope, I don't work for SMRT. The only post I might consider under SMRT is "Crowd Management Personnel", which can be quite a "push". :lol: I work for a company which is coming out with a rival CEPAS card, which if I'm not wrong, will be launched next month, and my position requires me to train people, including your regular retail and F&B outlets.

I don't wish to get too far out of topic but getting to the root of the problem, let me post this question to woz2024: Why wouldn't anybody seriously ride the CCL from Bartley to Esplanade??

Do keep in mind that woz2024, which I'm assuming, has enough knowledge about the CCL to know that it is a direct route on the CCL but instead, chose to believe that the route via Serangoon and via Dhoby Ghaut was the more 'logical' option. I do realize that as our rail network expands, and we are presented with more than one way to get to our destination, the "fastest", "most convenient" and "most direct" routes will get harder to determine. Of course, at that point, jpatokal's provided link could really come in handy.

NETS FlashPay ah?

I don't wish to get too far out of topic but getting to the root of the problem, let me post this question to woz2024: Why wouldn't anybody seriously ride the CCL from Bartley to Esplanade??Well, I guess my assumption was that LTA was trying to move towards some kind of hollistic network, where basically all services were running at 1-2 minute intervals from first train to last, so changing between trains wouldn't take very long. I guess I'm mistaken, in which case the choice to use 3 car trains may be a curse after all.

^^
yeah i still don't understand 3 cars :(
but maybe it's also the demand of the line, as it is a feeder network, as well as the east west and north south line to alleviate the majority crowds.

and YES changing trains always do take a long time considering the circle line was not meant to be integrated in the first place.

^^
yeah i still don't understand 3 cars :(
but maybe it's also the demand of the line, as it is a feeder network, as well as the east west and north south line to alleviate the majority crowds.

and YES changing trains always do take a long time considering the circle line was not meant to be integrated in the first place.

^^
yeah i still don't understand 3 cars :(
but maybe it's also the demand of the line, as it is a feeder network, as well as the east west and north south line to alleviate the majority crowds.

and YES changing trains always do take a long time considering the circle line was not meant to be integrated in the first place.However, if interchanges are well designed to have very quick transfers (not refering to Outram here!) using short distances between stations and travelators then the formula changes a bit. HabourFront (well, from what I've been able to ascertain) should fit into this category, as the two stations are right next to one another.

However, if interchanges are well designed to have very quick transfers (not refering to Outram here!) using short distances between stations and travelators then the formula changes a bit. HabourFront (well, from what I've been able to ascertain) should fit into this category, as the two stations are right next to one another.

How about Dhoby? :lol:

I have not been to Bishan or Serangoon as of yet... how's the interchange condition like there?

How about Dhoby? :lol:I didn't think Dhoby is THAT bad. The real problem with it is that passenger movement isn't designed clearly enough, owing largely to the placement of both direction travelators on one side of the interchange tunnel. They need to install two travellators on the opposite wall and change it so the existing ones both go one way and the new ones go the other (fortunately they seem to have seen the error of their ways with Serangoon), then organise the escalators down the the NEL platform to match this pattern. It will just mean a lot less collisions.

Outram could fit travellators, I think, and it would probably be quite a benefit. Sure, they'd have to keep stopping and restarting to accomodate the turns in the walkway, but the direction of traffic flow would be better managed. Plus it would make changing much quicker and less painful.

One major problem with travelators (and escalators, for that matter), however, is that nobody keeps to the left when they're standing still. Obviously this problem is not unique to Singapore, but nonetheless SMRT and SBS need to start doing something about it. Perhaps paint "PLEASE KEEP LEFT" at the start of every travellator or escalator and have it on overhead signs along the way, and from time to time send staff members along the right telling off anyone who's in their way. Personally I can't understand people who choose to stand still on an escaltor or travellator. Surely they know how much quicker they would be moving if they walked?

NETS FlashPay ah?
Not supposed to say anything until after Oct 8. :angel:

In the case of Bartley to Esplanade, really, there's no point in transferring twice, no matter how convenient the transfer is since it's on the same line.

Dhoby Ghaut interchange was clearly designed to facilitate passenger movement. I choose to lay the blame on SBS Transit's inexperience in managing crowds, this has never been their specialty, especially at the NEL stations. IMHO, the configuration of the escalator directions is key to unlocking the "mess", and its unfortunate that SBST has kept the same escalators in the same directions since day one, never attempting to do anything about it.

BTW, you cannot add another row of escalators on the other side because that transfer concourse is weight restricted, since it is actually a "bridge". When CCL1 opens, you'll see.

Outram Park is really a badly designed interchange, even if you add more travelators, it will not help the situation. But I can tell you what will; the DTL from Chinatown to Downtown is clearly to alleviate the congestion down there. And the TSL (in the alignment we generally agree with) will cover the rest of Shenton Way and Marina Bay.

BTW, you cannot add another row of escalators on the other side because that transfer concourse is weight restricted, since it is actually a "bridge". When CCL1 opens, you'll see.You mean.... http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/images/dhoby_ghaut.JPG ?

Strange, I never thought a travellator would weigh that much. At least, not compared to the people on it. What about moving one of them to the other side of the linkway?

A travellator is pretty much just a flat escalator. Why wouldn't it be heavy?

Not supposed to say anything until after Oct 8. :angel:will wait for the day in earnest :cheers:

A travellator is pretty much just a flat escalator. Why wouldn't it be heavy?Well I'd never really considered the weight of either of those. It's like asking how much the Sears Tower weighs. It doesn't really matter, because I'm never going to try and pick it up. :lol:

will wait for the day in earnest :cheers:On that, and I realise it's off-topic, but I am interested to know how one CEPAS card manufacturer can attract customers from another. Manufacturers of the reading and writing equipment would be able to compete, no doubt, as anyone wanting to adopt CEPAS payment would be able to tender and get the lowest price, but what can NETS or someone else offer that EZ-Link can't?

Obviously, I think CEPAS is a great idea, and it just makes me even more aware of the stupidity of my own country where Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide are all using their own different smart cards for transport so you would have to buy a new one, rather than just having a national standard for contactless micropayment (which would then also apply to vending machines, taxis, bars...anywhere that doesn't like Visa for less than $20 each swipe). Plus, Melbourne's woefully delayed Myki system wouldn't have been an issue under a CEPAS-like model, as the company responsible for the infrastructure would have been fired and replaced as they would not own the standard.

But yeah, I just don't see what NETS Flashpay offers that EZ-Link does not (aside from the knowledge that you're different, but nobody will ever know if it never leaves your wallet).

I think 3 cars is fine for the Circle Line. When you consider that the signalling system can do a 90 second headway, and can probably be upgraded to 60 second sometime in the future, the line becomes pretty high capacity. You have to also remember that most people will not use it for more than a few stops. I don't think anybody would seriously catch the CCL from Bartley to Esplanade instead of going Bartley to Serangoon, then onto NEL to Dhoby, then back onto CCL to Esplanade. If things do one day get really strained, start removing seats like on EWL/NSL network. Most rides are going to be pretty short, so standing won't be too much of an issue for most.

With an orbital line, it is probably easier to manage with shorter trainsets as well.

What concerns me more is the Downtown Line being built also with 3 car sets. This is more of a radial line, like the EWL, so I worry they're being a bit short-sighted by using shorter trains. It seems to have a fairly large potential catchment. I hope that the Thomson and Eastern Region lines are built for 6 car trains, as the TSL will be ineffective at alleviating the strain on the NSL if it has half the capacity.

Well, you see, they want to plan it in such a way where the backbone of lines are on the high capacity 6 train car lines.Anyway, for Bukit Timah stretch, most people there drive cars, so they just want to relieve the congestion. On the originally Eastern Region stretch, it is parallel with EWL, so EWL will be the backbone.

Well, you see, they want to plan it in such a way where the backbone of lines are on the high capacity 6 train car lines.Anyway, for Bukit Timah stretch, most people there drive cars, so they just want to relieve the congestion. On the originally Eastern Region stretch, it is parallel with EWL, so EWL will be the backbone.

i dun think so. those jams are not really caused by pple staying in those area.
Those school kids came from all over singapore and they caused the jam. plus alot of pple are using that route to go to clementi etc etc.

hey has this thread gone dead?
any updates to the circle line or has progress gone to a standstill?
i have already done my googling.

hey has this thread gone dead?
any updates to the circle line or has progress gone to a standstill?
i have already done my googling.

I don't think that progress has come to a standstill, but there may not be anything interesting to report for awhile. The next big news item might be the opening date for CCL1/CCL2.

hmmm... maybe those around the CCL sites under construction can check and update when free :)

still digging very slowly. if you notice the Buona Vista Station. From the putside it looks amost complete, but if you looks at what's underground, it is just a big hole of nothingness. So a lot of work still needs to be done.

^^ but CCL1 and 2 are finished already right?

maybe they are just doing the inner structure at the moment.

still digging very slowly. if you notice the Buona Vista Station. From the putside it looks amost complete, but if you looks at what's underground, it is just a big hole of nothingness. So a lot of work still needs to be done.
Its nothingness if you don't know what it is. As I've said before, roof slab is done already. Looks like they're working on the exit and surface structure foundations now.

Holland Village has the vent/housing structure next to the petrol station up, as is another structure near the project office. The lift structure outside Holland Road Shopping Centre is coming up and escalators are being installed outside Burger King.

Farrer Road has the exit structure up already and concreting has progressed significantly since. One-North is being installed with the metal bracing that forms the roof. Both the surface exits have the same design.

@mrt freak: so they work on the exit and surface foundations before working on the inside? correct me if i'm wrong.

this thread's gone dead again :( sorry if i always sound so rushing and gan-jeong...

just wondering are the trains handed to SMRT as of yet and in the process of testing?
what are the procedures done before a station opens?

i also noticed on the already running CCL stations that the LED board outside the stations only display 'welcome to circle line station' instead of those on NEL which actually display accurate train timings which are far ore useful.

will this change when CCL1 and 2 open?

@mrt freak: so they work on the exit and surface foundations before working on the inside? correct me if i'm wrong.

this thread's gone dead again :( sorry if i always sound so rushing and gan-jeong...

just wondering are the trains handed to SMRT as of yet and in the process of testing?
what are the procedures done before a station opens?

i also noticed on the already running CCL stations that the LED board outside the stations only display 'welcome to circle line station' instead of those on NEL which actually display accurate train timings which are far ore useful.

will this change when CCL1 and 2 open?

Stage 3 is running operational - trains are already handed over to SMRT long time ago.

Stage 3 is running operational - trains are already handed over to SMRT long time ago.

oh no, sorry i was talking about the handing over of stage 1 and 2 and the testing in the dhoby ghaut to tai seng section

Well, since underground stations are built from the bottom upwards theoretically speaking, they'd need some foundations before the walls of the exits can go up, so in a way yes. They do the foundations before the insides if you're looking at it that way.

But if you mean interior of the station, as in, internal station structure, the walls need to be in place before exit foundations. Interior design comes in after the basic structure (including exits) are done.

Commissioning of a station involves testing of the software I suppose. This includes PSD tests (I would assume), air-conditioning & quality tests, lighting tests, information display tests as well as emergency situation tests. For example, would systems work properly in the outbreak of a fire at the station. The lifts and escalators would probably need to undergo testing as well as communication links to the OCC at Kim Chuan. Perhaps even rigorous testing of the entry-exit gantries and ticketing machines too.

Well, since underground stations are built from the bottom upwards theoretically speaking, they'd need some foundations before the walls of the exits can go up, so in a way yes. They do the foundations before the insides if you're looking at it that way.

But if you mean interior of the station, as in, internal station structure, the walls need to be in place before exit foundations. Interior design comes in after the basic structure (including exits) are done.

Commissioning of a station involves testing of the software I suppose. This includes PSD tests (I would assume), air-conditioning & quality tests, lighting tests, information display tests as well as emergency situation tests. For example, would systems work properly in the outbreak of a fire at the station. The lifts and escalators would probably need to undergo testing as well as communication links to the OCC at Kim Chuan. Perhaps even rigorous testing of the entry-exit gantries and ticketing machines too.

So why is Buona Vista still 'a big hole of nothingness'?
i'm sure the basic structure of that station is done already right?

i don't think the tests will be as rigorous given that one section is already up and running.

Well, since underground stations are built from the bottom upwards theoretically speaking, they'd need some foundations before the walls of the exits can go up, so in a way yes.
Many MRT stations are built using the top-down method.

Many MRT stations are built using the top-down method.
Yes, but I'm not talking about method. You can't have the exit done first and then move down. Even top down method starts below ground before moving to surface level.

So why is Buona Vista still 'a big hole of nothingness'?
i'm sure the basic structure of that station is done already right?

i don't think the tests will be as rigorous given that one section is already up and running.
He's just spouting nonsense off the top of his head, exaggerating his fantasies as usual. Buona Vista's basic structure is there, up to the roof slab level as of a few months ago. They're simply working on the exits and transfer connections now before they will back fill the soil over. Once that is done, they can commence on electrical and interior design works.

As in August 2009 from LTA Website:
Circle Line Tunnel Breakthrough

Circle Line Progress Update

LTA Completes Circle Line Tunnelling Work

1 The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has achieved another milestone with the completion of the tunnelling works for the entire Circle Line (CCL) on Monday, 17 August 2009.

2 The CCL tunnelling work is completed with the breakthrough of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) on Circle Line Stage 4 (CCL4) into the Farrer Road Station.

3 Of the remaining 24 stations which are still under construction, Kim Chuan Depot and five stations [Dhoby Ghaut, Bras Basah, Esplanade, Promenade and Tai Seng] have achieved Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP). About 76 per cent of the railway tracks have been completed.

3 All the forty trains for Circle Line have been delivered to the Kim Chuan Depot.

4 "The CCL project is on schedule and revenue services for the remaining stations will commence progressively from 2010 onwards," said Mr Yam Ah Mee, Chief Executive, LTA.

CCL from Dhoby Ghuat to Bartley (Stages 1 & 2)

5 Circle Line from Dhoby Ghaut to Bartley (CCL1 and 2) consists of 11 stations. [CCL1: Dhoby Ghaut, Bras Basah, Esplanade, Promenade, Nicoll Highway and Stadium. CCL2: Mountbatten, Dakota, Paya Lebar, MacPherson and Tai Seng.]

6 Under CCL1 and 2, five stations - Dhoby Ghaut, Bras Basah, Esplanade, Promenade, and Tai Seng have achieved TOP.

7 The remaining stations - Nicoll Highway, Stadium, MacPherson, Paya Lebar, Dakota and Mountbatten Stations - are on schedule to obtain TOP status by end 2009.

8 The electrical and mechanical works are 97 per cent completed. Final testing and commissioning is underway. Typical electrical and mechanical installation, testing and commissioning works for a station takes about 18 months.

CCL from Marymount to HarbourFront (Stages 4 & 5)

9 CCL from Marymount to HarbourFront (CCL4 and 5), consists of 13 stations. [CCL4: Caldecott, Bukit Brown (future station), Botanic Gardens, Farrer Road, Holland Village, Buona Vista, one-north and Kent Ridge. CCL5: Haw Par Villa, Pasir Panjang, Labrador Park, Telok Blangah and HarbourFront.]

10 Under CCL4 and 5, six stations - Farrer Road, Botanic Gardens, Kent Ridge, one-north, Telok Blangah and HarbourFront have achieved Basic Structure Completion (BSC). Architectural, and electrical and mechanical works have commenced.

11 Caldecott, Buona Vista, Pasir Panjang, Labrador Park and Haw Par Villa are on schedule to attain BSC by the end of this year. Structural works at Holland Village Station have also been substantially completed.

About Circle Line

12 The CCL is an orbital, medium capacity line that links all Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines running into the city. It will offer inter-suburban connectivity that is currently not provided by the MRT system.

13 The first five stations on the CCL from Bartley to Marymount had opened for revenue service on 28 May 2009.

14 The CCL has a total of 29 stations, of which six are interchange stations linking to the other existing MRT lines. These interchange stations are Dhoby Ghaut, Paya Lebar, Serangoon, Bishan, Buona Vista and HarbourFront. The integration of Circle Line with the existing MRT lines will provide greater convenience and allow commuters to enjoy accessibility to various locations in Singapore. It will cut down travelling time when commuters bypass the city centre to go to their destinations.

15 Daily ridership of the CCL is estimated to be close to half a million when it is fully operational.

Tunnelling at Circle Line 4, Contract C855
(From Haw Par Villa Station to Farrer Road Station)

1 The last tunnel boring machine (TBM) on Circle Line Stage 4 (CCL4) broke through into the Farrer Road station on 17 August 2009.

2 Tunnelling at this stretch of the CCL consist of four drives. The two drives from one-north to Haw Par Villa were completed in February 2008.

3 The other two drives, from one-north to Farrer Road station, driving through Buona Vista and Holland Village stations, battled through many challenges on their way towards the Farrer Road station.

Tunnelling in close proximity to sensitive structures

4 Despite the efforts to design the alignment to avoid existing structures, not all could be avoided. The TBMs had to drive past numerous structures, including the colonial houses at Nepal Park, KTM Malayan railway at Commonwealth Avenue, old 2-storey shophouses at Holland Village, private residential estates at Belmont Road, Cornwall Gardens and Leedon Road.

5 The project team overcame the challenges of tunnelling past these structures by employing innovative engineering techniques and working closely with the various stakeholders.

Variable ground conditions

6 Singapore's wide range of rapidly changing geology makes the local underground conditions difficult to predict. The variability in ground conditions along the tunnel alignment posed another challenge.

7 At this stretch of tunnel alignment, the engineers encountered extremely fine and soft soil, weathered rock and exceptionally strong granite. To overcome this challenge, a more advanced model of TBM - the slurry machine, was introduced to cope with the difficult geology. To further enhance the safety of the works, LTA carried out extensive investigation of the subsurface conditions along the tunnel alignment and whenever necessary, improve the ground.

8 Tunnelling though the 33.3-kilometre CCL is not without its challenges. LTA is proud to have overcome all these challenges and in the process, draw valuable lessons for the upcoming rail projects.

The official press release from LTA above would have answered lexovator_mhjpn's questions.

The official press release from LTA above would have answered lexovator_mhjpn's questions.

Thanks a lot. appreciate it :)

According to the LTA release posted above by JediAlf, 11 or 12 of the 13 CCL4/CCL5 stations are expected to achieve BSC by the end of 2009. Commissioning should happen about 18 months later, so we can reasonably expect CCL4/CCL5 to open mid-2011.

^^Opening year after year, certainly, as what LTA mentioned. Mid-2009 was CCL3, without a doubt, CCL1/2 for mid-2010, so will CCL4/5.

^^
I remain cautiously optimistic that CCL1/CCL2 might open in the spring of 2010.

^^ and i second mcarling. IT'S BEEN TOO LONG! :D

Hoardings at both transfer links have been taken down. You can now see a clear view of the escalators/stairs connecting to the circle line. At the new exits, the station name signs are coming up too. Perhaps completion by year end?

^^ yay! :)

I'm a little confused. Isn't HarbourFront finished? My understanding was that it was between NEL platform and Vivocity behind the walls.

Like this: http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/8951/harbourfront.png

Perhaps completion by year end?
I like your optimism! :-)

I'm a little confused. Isn't HarbourFront finished? My understanding was that it was between NEL platform and Vivocity behind the walls.


It was built at same time as Vivocity. It is not exactly finished. It is a shell station. So contractors would do fittings now for Harbourfront CCL.

It was built at same time as Vivocity. It is not exactly finished. It is a shell station. So contractors would do fittings now for Harbourfront CCL.Ah, I just assumed it was built with the NEL platform.

I like your optimism! :-)
Well, it looks possible. The transfer connections are pretty much done and you can see the CCL LED info displays are already up. Its pretty much left with all the small details, such as setting the flooring, installation and testing of signs, putting the info boards in place and such. For the concourse level connection, though, perhaps installation of exit-entry gates. They still have the option to make it a paid area-to-paid area connection or a non-paid area-to-non-paid area connection.

It was built at same time as Vivocity. It is not exactly finished. It is a shell station. So contractors would do fittings now for Harbourfront CCL.

Harborfront is gonna be another transportation hub. :)

Well, it looks possible. The transfer connections are pretty much done and you can see the CCL LED info displays are already up. Its pretty much left with all the small details, such as setting the flooring, installation and testing of signs, putting the info boards in place and such. For the concourse level connection, though, perhaps installation of exit-entry gates. They still have the option to make it a paid area-to-paid area connection or a non-paid area-to-non-paid area connection.

oh ok
but how about Nicoll Highway?

I'm not sure, have not gone there in awhile. But if you look a few pages back, I think the news report in LianHe said its 85% done at the time of the article. Nicoll Highway should not be a problem considering that testing of trains has been going on for some time already.

ETA: Picture of article here: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/3877015182_54f131db18_b.jpg
At article time, Nicoll Highway was 90% complete and Paya Lebar 85% complete.

This would satisfy lexovator_mhjpn's curiosity. Most of us would wait patiently for Stage 1 and 2 to start operation. It will change our travelling patterns once again.

I hope testing goes extremely well and then LTA and SMRT can revise the commencement dates of Stage 1 and 2.

LTA Brochure for Circle Line - Stage 1 to Stage 5 (http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/images/CCL%20General%20Brochure%20(FINAL%20COPY).pdf)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2489/4018001035_8018b4f665_o.jpg
From LTA website...

Extremely tempting to draw the missing link between HarbourFront and Marina Bay to complete the whole line to reflect the true meaning of circle line.

Once the Tanjong Pagar port leaves, then they can close up the circle.

Wondering if anyone knows if there are any plans to build anything atop the CCL station at Buona Vista?

Anyway, the pedestrian overpass for Telok Blangah station has started.

i should start posting.

Updates:

Buona Vista
1. Buona Vista Xchange is open! It appears that there will be a KOPITIAM on the 2nd floor concourse. I wonder how SMRT is going to pull off the connection between the transfer and non-transfer areas.
2. Buona Vista main station has completed final retrofitting. Station extension (for CCL concourse) is only ~20% done. Structure vaguely erected but the land is not completely filled.

Holland Village
1. Holland Village station has 3 visible exit structures. It appears that the lift shaft will be extremely close to the road (< 10m). Dangerous much?

Farrer
1. Farrer Station has seen minor progress. No visible exit structures but overhead bridge is being built to connect a future exit.

Wondering if anyone knows if there are any plans to build anything atop the CCL station at Buona Vista?



According to URA Master plan 2008...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/4019007704_bd057668d1_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2456/4019007798_d54a172c34_o.png

i should start posting.

Updates:

Buona Vista
1. Buona Vista Xchange is open! It appears that there will be a KOPITIAM on the 2nd floor concourse. I wonder how SMRT is going to pull off the connection between the transfer and non-transfer areas.
2. Buona Vista main station has completed final retrofitting. Station extension (for CCL concourse) is only ~20% done. Structure vaguely erected but the land is not completely filled.

Holland Village
1. Holland Village station has 3 visible exit structures. It appears that the lift shaft will be extremely close to the road (< 10m). Dangerous much?

Farrer
1. Farrer Station has seen minor progress. No visible exit structures but overhead bridge is being built to connect a future exit.

thanks for providing updates and welcome to SSC! keep us regularly updated if you pass by often :)

Once the Tanjong Pagar port leaves, then they can close up the circle.

I agree. After Tanjong Pagar Container Terminal is closed, I expect Pulau Brani to be joined to Singapore by reclamation -- perhaps with a straight line going from the eastern tip of Pulau Brani to Marina South. I think we'll see the CCL become circular after reclamation works are completed.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4019263292_ca808f5056_o.jpg

This is the map of sites in One North, surrounding EWL/CCL Buona Vista Interchange MRT Station. LX 1-1 site is now being tendered since April 2008.

Extract from JTC website:

The landmark development, which will form the gateway to one-north, is planned to provide office spaces for the business support companies of the research institutes in one-north, thus building up the R&D ecosystem and injecting more vibrancy to the surrounding areas in one-north. It will also provide high quality office spaces outside CBD and help establish the surrounding area into the Buona Vista sub-regional centre which was planned by URA.

Source: JTC - Commercial LX 1-1 (http://www.jtc.gov.sg/GLSProgramme/GLS/Pages/northbuonavistadrive.aspx)

since April 2008 and no bidders?

This would satisfy lexovator_mhjpn's curiosity. Most of us would wait patiently for Stage 1 and 2 to start operation. It will change our travelling patterns once again.

I hope testing goes extremely well and then LTA and SMRT can revise the commencement dates of Stage 1 and 2.

LTA Brochure for Circle Line - Stage 1 to Stage 5 (http://www.lta.gov.sg/projects/images/CCL%20General%20Brochure%20(FINAL%20COPY).pdf)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2489/4018001035_8018b4f665_o.jpg
From LTA website...

Extremely tempting to draw the missing link between HarbourFront and Marina Bay to complete the whole line to reflect the true meaning of circle line.

lolx sorry for my impatience :(

http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo6/jcqh/CCL/ProgressatPYL1.jpgPosted in Sgforums Trains by jcqh. Paya Lebar interchange

Sgforums Trains - Circle Line Stage 1 and 2 (http://buses.sgforums.com/forums/2080/topics/371650)

The Circle line should be connected to the new International Cruise Centre, then it will be more integrated.

The Circle line should be connected to the new International Cruise Centre, then it will be more integrated.

LTA has already planned a new North-South Line MRT station to connect to the International Cruise Centre in Marina South and Marina South Pier - to be completed by 2014.

New Marina South Public Transport Hub will be built as well.

Posted in Sgforums Trains by jcqh. Paya Lebar interchange

Sgforums Trains - Circle Line Stage 1 and 2 (http://buses.sgforums.com/forums/2080/topics/371650)Surely they wouldn't be taking down the temporary walls and opening up the view just for the sake of it? Seems to me like they're getting ready to open it soon.:nuts:

@jedialf

i like the design of paya lebar!
first elevated/underground MRT station.

i was wondering though... how would air conditioning be managed in a situation like this?

^^ using air curtains?

CCL1 photos taken this morning

CC1 Dhoby Ghaut
no new photos taken of Circle Line concourse, but the area above the station has been spruced up

shelter to lift
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/4021095379_e306af8e5e.jpg

what seems to be a restaurant
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/4021095853_bf4370cfb1.jpg

CC2 Bras Basah
nothing new, except that individual station exit signage is up

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/4021869314_4608985910.jpg

same exit viewed from behind
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/4021870032_7b857d22c3.jpg

CC3 Esplanade

station exit viewed against skyscrapers
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2727/4021119259_45efdd48ee.jpg

looking down
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3524/4021880124_066ba9e752.jpg

CC4 Promenade

DTL construction in progress
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2521/4021891794_0bd740d705.jpg

CCL exit, dont know why it's boarded up...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4021892742_4d51f6e02f.jpg

CC5 Nicoll Highway

station exit and overhead bridge above it
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/4021899690_7a70fa3374.jpg

overhead bridge
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3529/4021900140_d59d6fb13d.jpg

lift shaft being constructed on the other side of the bridge too
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4021142211_624fb2e2d7.jpg

CC6 Stadium

CCTVs
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/4021153105_4f065f5195.jpg

front view (taken from the other side)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/4021915342_25995f59e3.jpg

that's all for now, more photos pls see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40169275@N07/


CCL2 photos also taken today will be posted at a later date

Surely they wouldn't be taking down the temporary walls and opening up the view just for the sake of it? Seems to me like they're getting ready to open it soon.:nuts:

Not yet. LTA needs to hand over the remaining completed stations to SMRT. Then SMRT would have to do its own trial runs....

^^ Wow! The stadium stn front view has such a intimidating appearance due to its large size. Thanks for the pics, 201911! :)

Why doesn't that particular Esplanade exit have a roof?

Why doesn't that particular Esplanade exit have a roof?

Before the station was constructed, the underpass was already built without roof. So since then, this roof-less design remained the same.

I think the "unroofed" exit complements the war memorial better. No obstructions for a structure that pays tribute to those lost in war.

CCL1 photos taken this morning

...

CCL2 photos also taken today will be posted at a later dateThanks bru! Looking forward to it!

Regarding the pics of Promenade exits being blocked, they aren't actually blocked as they are clearly accessible from the other side. Was there today. I'm not too sure why they're doing this though.

Regarding the pics of Promenade exits being blocked, they aren't actually blocked as they are clearly accessible from the other side. Was there today. I'm not too sure why they're doing this though.

maybe it's cos tourists think its a working mrt station :P

maybe it's cos tourists think its a working mrt station :PWell, that is a fair point, considering the station name signage is now up. In this image http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CC4Promenade-1.JPG there is really nothing to suggest that it is an exit for an MRT station (well, other than its physical characteristics). It does seem kind of silly for all the stations to have their exit signage up at this stage, they could just cover it up until a few days before opening.

Granted that's not the only offender. When I first got to Singapore last year I was looking at the Suntec City website for directions there and its map shows Esplanade MRT as though it's open and running.

It does seem kind of silly for all the stations to have their exit signage up at this stage, they could just cover it up until a few days before opening.
It's important for people to learn where the new stations are before they are opened.

It's important for people to learn where the new stations are before they are opened.Well...is it? Wouldn't it really be preferable for the operator to have less people knowing about the stations and thus not using them for the initial operations period? Gives them a chance to iron out any issues that arise with a lower amount of traffic. Seems most automatic metro systems have issues in the first few days (NEL, CCL, Dubai Metro) so wouldn't it be better to have these issues arise when not that many people are using the system?

Then, after a couple of weeks, start advertising it big time like with giant billboards at Suntec to say "Esplanade station is now open!!!!" and at Vivo to say "Circle Line now stopping here!!" etc etc etc. I mean, if I was an operator, I'd probably rather do it that way.

Attention.. LTA has released tender for Circle Line Arts Works for 5 stations in Stage 1 and 2. Contract 8297. There are layouts of the station especially Promenade, as well as some photos.

- Dhoby Ghaut
- Esplanade
- Promenade
- MacPherson
- Tai Seng

Attention.. LTA has released tender for Circle Line Arts Works for 5 stations in Stage 1 and 2. Contract 8297. There are layouts of the station especially Promenade, as well as some photos.

- Dhoby Ghaut
- Esplanade
- Promenade
- MacPherson
- Tai Seng

where? :)

where? :)


You can find in www.gebiz.gov.sg under Land Transport Authority (Calling Entity) in the Tenders and Quotations.

It's important for people to learn where the new stations are before they are opened.

well, then it would be more practical to put up a big 'under construction sign' on it... or at least not elaborately create the exterior structure until the stations are finished.

putting the station signage up is also not a very wise idea...

Well, that is a fair point, considering the station name signage is now up. In this image http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CC4Promenade-1.JPG there is really nothing to suggest that it is an exit for an MRT station (well, other than its physical characteristics). It does seem kind of silly for all the stations to have their exit signage up at this stage, they could just cover it up until a few days before opening.

Granted that's not the only offender. When I first got to Singapore last year I was looking at the Suntec City website for directions there and its map shows Esplanade MRT as though it's open and running.

i'm referring to the physical characteristics of the station.
as for esplanade, i believe its because its presently used as an underpass.

All maps at operational MRT stations have circle line dotted lines - "Under construction". This is very trivial issue over the signboards. Putting up signboards would allow people know what the hell the structures are for.

This would maximize the visibility when people walk past. They will know which station is nearest to their destinations. When MRT stations open, the people will know where to board or alight trains with less hassle. If the signboards are not up, then people would take weeks or days to find the location of new stations.

For those interested, Promenade CCL has provisions made for cross-platform transfers. However, it is not for the DTL, as previous DTL site drawings show the DTL station sitting separate and deeper below the CCL.

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/3778/screenshot20091020atpm0.png
This picture show the view from the south towards north.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e130/whataprob/Rail/Promenadetunnelarrangementplan2.jpg
This shows the DTL platforms on the left of the station.

Wouldn't it really be preferable for the operator to have less people knowing about the stations and thus not using them for the initial operations period? Gives them a chance to iron out any issues that arise with a lower amount of traffic. Seems most automatic metro systems have issues in the first few days (NEL, CCL, Dubai Metro) so wouldn't it be better to have these issues arise when not that many people are using the system?
Of course, having fewer passengers than maximum capacity is desirable during the opening period, however, the numbers are always smaller in actual practice than would be desired. Too many passengers in the first weeks in not a real-world problem.

well, then it would be more practical to put up a big 'under construction sign' on it... or at least not elaborately create the exterior structure until the stations are finished.
If there is obvious ongoing construction, then "Under Construction" signs may not be needed. If the entrance appears to be finished, then "Under Construction -- Due to Open day/month/year" signs would be a very good idea.

Promenade CCL has provisions made for cross-platform transfers. However, it is not for the DTL, as previous DTL site drawings show the DTL station sitting separate and deeper below the CCL.
This could potentially be a provision for a future West Coast Line which might run from Promenade to Theatres on the Bay to Raffles Place to Mccallum/Robinson to KTM/NE2 then along the AYE to Kent Ridge then along the west coast to interchange with the EWL at Gol Circle. It could also extend east from Promenade to Tanjong Rhu to give ERL passengers more options into the CBD.