The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced plans for two new MRT lines that are currently undergoing feasibility studies. The lines are expected to be completed in the 2040s and could potentially benefit over 400,000 households.
One of the proposed lines, the Seletar Line, is aimed at serving areas such as Woodlands, Sembawang, Sengkang West, Serangoon North, Whampoa, Kallang, and the Greater Southern Waterfront. The other line, tentatively called the Tengah Line, is intended to supplement the public transport network in the west and northwest regions, serving areas like Tengah, Bukit Batok, Queensway, and Bukit Merah.
Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, in a speech to parliament on March 5, shared that the two lines may eventually be joined. This will depend on the results of LTA’s feasibility studies.
Chee also announced LTA’s plans to proceed with the West Coast Extension (WCE), which will extend the Jurong Region Line (JRL) to connect with the Circle Line (CCL) and Cross Island Line (CRL). The WCE will be implemented in two phases, with the first phase connecting the JRL to the CRL by the late 2030s and the second phase connecting the JRL to the CCL’s Kent Ridge Station by the early 2040s.
Upon completion, the WCE is expected to cut travel time by up to 20 minutes for residents travelling from the West to the city centre.
In addition to expanding the rail network, the government has earmarked up to $1 billion over the next five years to maintain high-reliability standards in both newer and older train systems. This investment will go towards implementing condition monitoring systems for targeted maintenance, adopting new technologies to improve efficiency, and providing training programmes for rail workers.
LTA believes that these efforts will allow them to continue delivering convenient, reliable, and resilient public transport for commuters.