Downtown Line | |
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Overview | |
Native name | Malay: Laluan MRT Pusat Bandar Chinese :滨海市区地铁线 Tamil: டவுன்டவுன் எம்ஆர்டி வழி |
Status | Operational (Stages 1, 2 & 3) Under construction (Hume, Stage 3 extension) Under planning (Stage 2 extension) |
Owner | Land Transport Authority |
Locale | Singapore |
Termini |
|
Stations | 34 (Operational) [1] 3 (Under construction) 1 (Under planning) |
Service | |
Type | Rapid transit |
System | Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) |
Services | 2 |
Operator(s) | SBS Transit DTL Pte Ltd (ComfortDelGro Corporation) [2] |
Depot(s) | Gali Batu Tai Seng East Coast (Future) |
Rolling stock | Bombardier Movia C951(A) |
Daily ridership | 251,556 (July 2020) [3] |
History | |
Planned opening | 2025Hume and Stage 3 extension) mid-2030s (Stage 2 extension) | (
Opened | 22 December 2013 (Stage 1) 27 December 2015 (Stage 2) 21 October 2017 (Stage 3) |
Technical | |
Line length | 41.9 km (26.0 mi) (Operational) [1] 2.2 km (1.4 mi) (Under construction) |
Character | Fully underground |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Electrification | 750 V DC third rail |
Operating speed | limit of 80 km/h |
The Downtown Line (DTL) is a medium-capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore operated by SBS Transit. It runs from Bukit Panjang station in the north-west to Expo station in the east via the Central Area. Coloured blue on the rail map, the line serves 34 stations, all of which are underground. [2] The DTL is the fifth MRT line on the network to be opened and the third line to be entirely underground. It is the second MRT line to be operated by SBS Transit, after the North East Line. The line also serves as an alternative to the East-West MRT Line running parallel from Bugis to Expo MRT Station.
Originally planned as three separate lines, the lines merged into the Downtown Line in 2007 and construction began in three stages. The first section, from Bugis to Chinatown station (formerly the Downtown Extension of the Circle Line), opened in December 2013, followed by the second section from Bukit Panjang to Rochor station (formerly the Bukit Timah Line) opening in December 2015. The third and final stage, from Fort Canning to Expo station (formerly the northern part of the East Coast Line), opened in October 2017. At 41.9 kilometres (26.0 mi), the DTL is the longest underground and automated rapid transit line in Singapore as of 2017 [update] . [1] The train utilises the Bombardier Movia C951 which runs in a three-car formation on the line.
The line is set to be further extended in the 2020s. Stage 3e, an extension of the line to Sungei Bedok, is under construction and is scheduled to begin operations in 2025, [4] while a new infill station, Hume station, is planned to open in 2025. [5] An extension to connect with the North South line at Sungei Kadut station is also being planned and set to open in the 2030s. [6] When fully completed in 2025, the line will be about 44 kilometres (27 mi) long with 37 stations, and will serve more than half a million commuters daily. [7]
At the official opening of the Dover station on 23 October 2001, then-Minister for Communications and Information Technology Yeo Cheow Tong announced three MRT lines, two of which―the Bukit Timah Line and the northern part of the Eastern Region Line―are part of today's DTL. The Bukit Timah Line aimed to alleviate the traffic problems along the Bukit Timah and Dunearn Road corridor, and provide a direct link to the city area for residents in Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang. The proposed Eastern Region Line, slated to be a loop in the eastern regions, aimed to relieve the passenger load on the often-congested East West line and benefiting those living in Tampines, Bedok and Marine Parade. [8] : 16―17 [9] [10]
On 14 June 2005, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced the Downtown Extension (renamed to "Downtown Line Stage 1"), which would serve the New Downtown at Marina Bay area, where an integrated resort (Marina Bay Sands) and Singapore's second botanical garden (Gardens by the Bay) were to be located. The 3.4-kilometre (2.1 mi) extension, estimated to cost S$1.4 billion, was initially announced to be part of the Circle line. [11] On 27 April 2007, then Transport Minister Raymond Lim announced that the Downtown Line would be built in three stages stretching 40 kilometres (25 mi) with 33 stations. [12] [13] [14] [15]
The line was built in 3 stages: Stage 1 of the Downtown line, stretching 4.3-kilometre (2.7 mi), started construction in January 2008 at Chinatown station, [8] : 30 where platform provisions were built to facilitate an interchange station during the construction of the North East line. It began service on 22 December 2013, [19] with its official inauguration made on the day before by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. [20]
Stage 2, first conceptualized and announced as the Bukit Timah line on 23 October 2001, is 16.6 kilometres (10.3 mi) long with 12 stations connecting Bukit Panjang and Rochor stations, including four interchange stations. Construction for Stage 2 began on 3 July 2009 with a groundbreaking ceremony at Beauty World station. [21] [22] The line inaugurated on 27 December 2015, with free travel for all 18 stations from 27 December 2015 to 1 January 2016. [23] [24] [25]
Stage 3 goes from Chinatown to Expo. The station locations and finalised route were unveiled on 20 August 2010. [26] [27] Stage 3 of the Downtown line is 21 kilometres (13 mi) long and serve 16 stations. [1] [28] The route opened on 21 October 2017, [29] with free travel for all DTL stations on the first two days of the line completion. [30] [31]
The line, with an estimated cost of S$12 billion, was considered the government's most ambitious rail project. The cost exceeded those of the Circle Line (at $6.7 billion) and the North East Line (at $4.6 billion). Final costs of building the line may reach an estimated about S$20.7 billion, up more than 70% from the initial estimation, due to sharp rises in construction costs and a number of changes in plans. [32] [8] : 19
In October 2014, it was announced that Stage 2's opening would be pushed back to the first quarter of 2016. This was because one of the main contractors for the DTL2, Alpine Bau (which was building King Albert Park, Sixth Avenue and Tan Kah Kee), went bankrupt in mid-2013. [33] On 28 June 2015, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew announced that the delay was "completely resolved" by the authorities and Stage 2's opening date was brought forward to 27 December 2015. [34] [35] The DTL 3 started operations on 21 October 2017, officially opened by Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan. [36] [37] [38]
To serve the line, the Gali Batu Depot was opened in December 2015 to stable 42 trains. It is situated at part of the former Kwong Hou Sua Teochew Cemetery off Woodlands Road. [39] Also in February that year, the Land Transport Authority announced that the capacity of the depot will be expanded to stable 81 trains by 2019. [40]
On 17 January 2013, plans were announced for a southern extension extending from Expo to connect with the Eastern Region line (ERL); the ERL has since been subsumed into the Thomson-East Coast line. The extension was to provide more travel options and enhance connectivity for the residents along the East Coast. [41] [42] The Downtown Line 3 extension (DTL3e) was finalised and announced on 15 August 2014, in conjunction with the announcement of the Thomson–East Coast line. [43] Two stations, Xilin MRT station and Sungei Bedok MRT station, will be added to the Downtown Line, with Sungei Bedok as an interchange station with the Thomson–East Coast line. It will lengthen the line by 2.2 km (1.4 mi). [43] Expected to be completed in 2025, Stage 3e will connect the current East West line at Expo station and the future TEL at Sungei Bedok station. [44]
On 7 March 2019, Hume station was announced to be opened by 2025 to better serve Hillview residents. [5] [45] An additional extension to the Downtown Line to Sungei Kadut station from Bukit Panjang station was announced on 25 May 2019 by the LTA. The extension is set to cut down travel time to the downtown area by up to 30 minutes for those living in the northwestern area of Singapore. The extension is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s. A study will also be conducted to determine the stops to be added between the Sungei Kadut and the existing Bukit Panjang stations. [6]
A malfunction in the platform screen doors at Botanic Gardens station resulted in trains bypassing the station and a seven-hour disruption on 3 May 2017. Downtown line operator SBS Transit said that the doors malfunctioned at 5:45 am due to a signalling-related fault, and could not open automatically. The fault was rectified at 12:54 pm and the platform reopened for passenger service, with the affected door remaining closed for repairs. [46]
The Downtown line generally goes in an east–west direction from Bukit Panjang in the northwestern side of Singapore, through the downtown area of Singapore, to Tampines and the Singapore Expo in the east. It is 41.9 kilometres (26.0 mi) long and is entirely underground. Before Bukit Panjang station, there exists a brief northwards extension to the line's depot Gali Batu Depot. The line begins at the Bukit Panjang station and then goes in the southeast direction, running parallel to Upper Bukit Timah Road and along the Bukit Timah Canal through Bukit Timah. The line then enters the central area, passing through Little India station before reaching the Central Business District via Bugis station. The Downtown line runs parallel to the Circle line at the Promenade and Bayfront stations. Passing through the Downtown Core, the line interchanges with the North East line at Chinatown station.
After Chinatown station, the line goes in a northeast direction and under the Singapore River. Between the Bencoolen and Jalan Besar stations, the line intersects itself, the first MRT line to do so. After Geylang Bahru station, the line continues in a general eastwards direction, through the industrial areas of Kampong Ubi and Kaki Bukit (briefly paralleling Ubi Avenue 2 and Kaki Bukit Avenue 1), before continuing towards the Tampines Regional Centre and goes southwards, ending at Changi Business Park. The DTL3 extension (DTL3e) from Expo station will extend the line further towards the Thomson–East Coast line at Sungei Bedok station. [48]
Station codes for the line are blue, corresponding to the line's colour on the system map. Most stations have island platforms, with the exception of Downtown, Telok Ayer, Chinatown, and MacPherson stations having side platforms, and Stevens and Promenade stations having stacked side platforms.
Date | Project | Description |
---|---|---|
22 December 2013 | Stage 1 | Bugis – Chinatown |
27 December 2015 | Stage 2 | Bugis – Bukit Panjang |
21 October 2017 | Stage 3 | Chinatown – Expo |
2025 | Stage 3 Extension | Expo – Sungei Bedok |
2025 | Hume Station | Hume station between Hillview and Beauty World |
By mid-2030s | Stage 2 Extension | Sungei Kadut – Bukit Panjang |
Legend
Elevated | Line terminus | Transfer outside paid area |
Ground-level | Wheelchair accessible | Bus interchange |
Underground | Civil Defence Shelter | Other transportation modes |
List
Station code | Station name | Images | Interchange; Adjacent transportation | Opening | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DT NS6 Infill station | Sungei Kadut | North–South Line (mid-2030s) | mid-2030s [6] | TBA | |
DT1 – BP6 | Bukit Panjang | Bukit Panjang LRT ― Bukit Panjang | 27 December 2015; 8 years ago | S$452.4 million [lower-alpha 1] | |
DT2 | Cashew | — | S$431 million [lower-alpha 2] | ||
DT3 | Hillview | ||||
DT4 Infill station | Hume | 2025; 2 years' time | S$259.538 million [lower-alpha 3] | ||
DT5 | Beauty World | Beauty World | 27 December 2015; 8 years ago | S$339.88 million [lower-alpha 4] | |
DT6 CR15 | King Albert Park | Cross Island Line (2032) | S$574.7 million [lower-alpha 5] | ||
DT7 | Sixth Avenue | — | |||
DT8 | Tan Kah Kee | S$572 million [lower-alpha 6] | |||
DT9 CC19 | Botanic Gardens | Circle Line | S$378.2 million [lower-alpha 7] | ||
DT10 TE11 | Stevens | Thomson–East Coast Line | |||
DT11 – NS21 | Newton | North–South Line | S$356 million [lower-alpha 8] | ||
DT12 NE7 | Little India | North East Line | S$803.3 million [lower-alpha 9] | ||
DT13 | Rochor | — | |||
DT14 EW12 | Bugis | East–West Line | 22 December 2013; 10 years ago | S$582 million [lower-alpha 10] | |
DT15 CC4 | Promenade | Circle Line ― Marina Centre | S$231 million [lower-alpha 11] | ||
DT16 CE1 | Bayfront | Circle Line Extension | S$463 million [lower-alpha 12] | ||
DT17 | Downtown | — | S$230.3 million [lower-alpha 13] | ||
DT18 | Telok Ayer | S$224.9 million [lower-alpha 14] | |||
DT19 NE4 | Chinatown | North East Line | S$160.3 million [lower-alpha 15] | ||
DT20 | Fort Canning | — | 21 October 2017; 6 years ago | S$255.05 million [lower-alpha 16] | |
DT21 | Bencoolen | S$177.58 million [lower-alpha 17] | |||
DT22 | Jalan Besar | S$171.46 million [lower-alpha 18] | |||
DT23 | Bendemeer | S$215.24 million [lower-alpha 19] | |||
DT24 | Geylang Bahru | S$123 million [lower-alpha 20] | |||
DT25 | Mattar | S$199.85 million [lower-alpha 21] | |||
DT26 CC10 | MacPherson | Circle Line | S$188 million [lower-alpha 22] | ||
DT27 | Ubi | — | S$161.71 million [lower-alpha 23] | ||
DT28 | Kaki Bukit | S$93.8 million [lower-alpha 24] | |||
DT29 | Bedok North | S$480.38 million [lower-alpha 25] | |||
DT30 | Bedok Reservoir | S$196.46 million [lower-alpha 26] | |||
DT31 | Tampines West | S$226.92 million [lower-alpha 27] | |||
DT32 – EW2 | Tampines | East–West Line ― Tampines Tampines Concourse | S$118.5 million [lower-alpha 28] | ||
DT33 | Tampines East | — | S$208.52 million [lower-alpha 29] | ||
DT34 | Upper Changi | S$256.98 million [lower-alpha 30] | |||
DT35 CG1 | Expo | EWL Changi Airport Branch Line (until 2040) Thomson–East Coast Line (after 2040) | S$211.35 million [lower-alpha 31] | ||
Stage 3 Extension (under construction, to be ready by 2025) | |||||
DT36 | Xilin | — | 2025; 2 years' time | S$833.6 million [lower-alpha 32] | |
DT37 TE31 | Sungei Bedok | Thomson–East Coast Line (2025) | S$418 million [lower-alpha 33] |
Number | Depot name; Lines | Location | Images | Line-specific stabling capacity | Cost | Opening |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gali Batu | Sungei Kadut | 81 trains | S$410 million | 27 December 2015; 8 years ago | |
2 | Tai Seng | Hougang | 18 trains | S$81.5 million | 21 October 2017; 6 years ago | |
3 | East Coast EWL TEL | Changi | 66 trains | S$1.99 billion [49] [50] [51] | 2025; 2 years' time |
As of 2011 [update] , the Downtown line has one type of rolling stock, the Bombardier MOVIA C951(A) cars, [52] running in a three-car formation. They have been stabled at Gali Batu Depot since it opened with Stage 2 of the downtown line on 27 December 2015. For the period between the opening of Stage 1 and that of Stage 2, trains were stabled at a maintenance facility that was built at Marina Bay as part of the Circle line project. Kim Chuan Depot housed the Operations Control Centre for the Downtown Line Stage 1 until Gali Batu Depot was ready. [53]
On 12 October 2012, the first of 11 trains for the line arrived at Jurong Port. It was transported to Kim Chuan Depot to undergo testing by the LTA before it was handed over to SBS Transit. [54] As of 28 February 2013 [update] , Bombardier had delivered five of the 11 trains for Downtown line stage 1. [55] LTA together with the operator, SBS Transit, conducted the necessary tests to ensure safety standards, functional performance and systems compatibility requirements were met before revenue service began on 22 December 2013. [56]
Testing for Stage 2 began on 25 October 2015 and rolling stock that was delivered to Gali Batu Depot commenced service in Stage 1 on 21 October 2015, while SBS Transit slowly moved the equipment managing the DTL trains to Gali Batu Depot during non-revenue hours. [8] Kim Chuan Depot, together with the adjacent Tai Seng Facility Building, operated in a minor capacity until Stage 3 opened. A new depot, named the East Coast Integrated Depot, is planned to provide additional stabling capacity to the line in 2025. [57] Testing on the integration of systems of Stage 3 and the rest of the line started from 14 May 2017 till 27 August 2017. [58]
The Downtown line is equipped with Siemens (previously Invensys before Siemens acquisition) Trainguard Sirius Communications-based train control (CBTC) moving block signalling system with Automatic train control (ATC) under Automatic train operation (ATO) GoA 4 (UTO). [59] The subsystems consist of Automatic train protection (ATP) to govern train speed, Controlguide Rail 9000 Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) to track and schedule trains and Trackguard Westrace MK2 Computer-based interlocking (CBI) system that prevents incorrect signal and track points to be set. [60] [61]
A fall-back signalling system, relying on conventional track-circuit occupancy detection, is included to ensure fully automatic operation and train protection independent of the radio system.
Platform screen doors (PSDs) along the line were installed by Westinghouse Signal (Invensys Rail Group), supplied by Faiveley. [62] The PSDs provide safety for passengers, offering protection from arriving and departing trains. [63] [64]
Little India MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the North East (NEL) and Downtown (DTL) lines. The station is located at the junction of Bukit Timah Road and Race Course Road, on the boundary of the planning areas of Kallang and Rochor, Singapore.
The Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a series of localised automated guideway transit systems acting as feeder services to the heavy rail Mass Rapid Transit, which together forms the core of Singapore's rail transport services. The first LRT line was opened in 1999 and the system has since expanded to three lines, each serving a new town, namely Bukit Panjang LRT line, Sengkang LRT line and Punggol LRT line. Trains on these lines have at least one station interchange link to the MRT.
Expo MRT station is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the East West line (EWL) and Downtown line (DTL) in the Tampines planning area, Singapore. The station lies between Changi City Point and the Singapore Expo, located along Changi South Avenue 1 at the junction of Expo Drive.
Botanic Gardens MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the Downtown line and Circle line in Tanglin, Singapore, located at the junction of Bukit Timah Road and Cluny Park Road.
The history of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system of Singapore commenced with its planning in the 1960s, which finally led to its opening in 1987 with the launch of a 6 km section of the North South Line (NSL) from Yio Chu Kang to Toa Payoh. Since its inception, the rapid transit system has played a crucial role in the public transportation network and the wider development of the country as a whole, providing a fast and efficient means of transportation for millions of Singaporeans daily.
The Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL) is a high-capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore. Coloured brown on the rail map, it is fully underground. When fully completed, the sixth line on the country's MRT network will serve 32 stations over 43 kilometres (27 mi) in length, becoming one of the world's longest driverless rapid transit lines. It runs along a combined north–south and east–west corridor, starting in the north at Woodlands town, passing through Upper Thomson and the towns of Ang Mo Kio and Bishan, heading south to the city-centre at Orchard Road and Marina Bay, subsequently heading eastwards along the eastern coast of the country through Kallang, Marine Parade and southern Bedok before ending at Upper East Coast.
Rochor MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Downtown Line (DTL) in Rochor, Singapore. Located between Sungei Road and Rochor Canal Road, the station serves landmarks such as Sim Lim Square, The Verge, the LASALLE College of the Arts and Tekka Centre. The station is operated by SBS Transit.
Stevens MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the Downtown (DTL) and Thomson–East Coast (TEL) lines. Situated at the junction of Stevens Road and Bukit Timah Road, it serves the nearby Singapore Chinese Girls' School and St. Joseph's Institution, as well as the Raffles Town Club and the surrounding private estates.
Tan Kah Kee MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Downtown Line (DTL) in Bukit Timah, Singapore. Located directly underneath the campus of Hwa Chong Institution (HCI), this station was named after the founder of the institution Tan Kah Kee. In addition to HCI, other educational institutions within the vicinity of this station include Nanyang Girls' High School, Raffles Girls' Primary School and National Junior College.
King Albert Park MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Downtown Line (DTL) in Bukit Timah, Singapore. Located at the western end of Bukit Timah Road at the junction of Blackmore Drive, this station serves the private residential estates along the Bukit Timah corridor. Sites surrounding the station include the Methodist Girls' School and the preserved Bukit Timah Railway Station.
Hillview MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Downtown Line, situated on the boundaries of Hillview and Nature Reserve planning subzones of Bukit Batok and Bukit Panjang respectively, Singapore.
Bukit Panjang MRT/LRT station is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) interchange station on the Downtown line (DTL) and the Bukit Panjang LRT line (BPLRT) in Singapore. Located in the namesake estate of Bukit Panjang, the station is at the junction of Upper Bukit Timah Road and Petir Road. The station serves the commercial buildings of Bukit Panjang Plaza, Hillion Mall and Junction 10. It forms a part of the Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub (BPITH), which also contains a bus interchange.
Geylang Bahru MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Downtown line in Kallang, Singapore.
Mattar MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit station on the Downtown line in Geylang planning area, Singapore. As its name suggests, it is located underneath Mattar Road, at the junction of Merpati Road.
Kaki Bukit MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Downtown line (DTL). Situated in Kaki Bukit, Singapore, it is located along Kaki Bukit Avenue 1. The station serves the vicinity's residential and industrial developments, including Kaki Bukit Techpark and TechView.
Bedok North MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit station on the Downtown line in the northern part of Bedok, Singapore, located along Bedok North Road, near the Pan Island Expressway flyover and the Bedok Town Park. It will serve a future integrated hospital in the area.
The Cross Island Line (CRL) is a high capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line under development in Singapore. It will run in an east–west direction from Changi to Jurong Industrial Estate via Loyang, Pasir Ris, Hougang, Serangoon North, Ang Mo Kio, Sin Ming, Bukit Timah, Clementi and West Coast. From Pasir Ris, the line will branch off to Punggol. The 58-kilometre (36 mi) line will replace the East West Line as the longest line on the MRT network upon its complete opening by the 2040s, serving about 27 stations.
Sungei Bedok MRT station is a future underground Mass Rapid Transit interchange and terminal station on the Downtown line and Thomson–East Coast line in Bedok planning area, Singapore. The station is being built east of where Upper East Coast Road becomes Bedok Road, and will serve residents of the Eastwood estate. Nearby facilities include the Bedok Food Centre, Eastwood Centre and the Laguna National Golf & Country Club.
Xilin MRT station is a future underground Mass Rapid Transit station on the Downtown line in Tampines planning area, Singapore. Taking its name from Xilin Avenue which passes overhead, Xilin station serves industries around Changi South, as well as the nearby Tanah Merah Country Club. The station is located at the junction of Xilin Avenue, Changi South Avenue 3 and Laguna Golf Green.
Sungei Kadut MRT station is a future Mass Rapid Transit interchange station on the North South (NSL) and Downtown (DTL) lines, located in Sungei Kadut, Singapore. First announced as a provisional station on the NSL Woodlands Extension in the 1990s, plans for its construction was eventually confirmed in the Land Transport Master Plan (LTMP) 2040 by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
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