Third‑Stage of the Thomson‑East Coast Line Hits the Tracks
Sunday, Nov 13th, saw the last leg of the new TEL open for everyday passengers. The result? A tidal wave of commuters turned stations into impromptu photo‑ops, because who doesn’t love a shiny new train for the ‘gram?
Family‑Friendly Commute
Meet Jacky Zhu, a 40‑year‑old software engineer, and his crew: wife and kids ranging from three to eight years old. Their mission? Ride the brand‑new line home from Great World station for a walk to Gardens by the Bay and make sure the little ones see their first MRT all while Jacky tries to gauge his commute time to office.
“I just wanted to see how long it would take for my daily commute to Marina Bay,” Jacky told a friend, half‑joking. Turns out, the whole journey is a breeze thanks to the new connections.
New Stations Galore—11 to Be Exact
- Stevens
- Napier
- Orchard Boulevard
- Orchard
- Great World
- Havelock
- Outram Park
- Maxwell
- Shenton Way
- Marina Bay
- Gardens by the Bay
These stops made the first free ride event on Friday a sensation—about half a million people lined up to hop aboard the brand‑new trains without any need to hop onto the older MRT lines.
Connecting Lines are the Real MVP
The TEL isn’t just about new stations. It links directly to existing arteries:
- Stevens – Downtown Line
- Orchard – North‑South Line
- Outram Park – East‑West and North‑East Lines
- Marina Bay – Circle and North‑South Lines
The puzzle is solved; commuters join a bigger network without standing in limbo.
Hiking Enthusiast Saves Time
Then there’s Dylan Tan, a 31‑year‑old relationship manager at a bank, who took the train from Havelock station at 9 am. His idea: meet friends at Beauty World station for a morning hike at the brand‑new Rifle Range Nature Park, which opened just last Saturday.
Dylan’s daily grind used to be 45 minutes: ride from Tiong Bahru to Newton station, hop onto the Downtown Line, then nail it to the TEL. Now he’s cut his journey to a snappy 20 minutes—no bus detour required. “I actually look forward to the train now,” he laughed.
TL;DR—Shorter Trains, Bigger Smiles
What’s the takeaway? The third stage of the TEL just made life smoother for families, businessmen, hikers, and anyone who doesn’t want to spend half an hour stuck on a bus. More stations, fewer transfers, and yes, more Instagram‑worthy looks.
<img alt="" data-caption="Commuters at the Orchard Boulevard TEL station on Nov 13, 2022.
PHOTO: The Straits Times” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”e54395b6-7cb1-411d-a1b8-5adc7fa1882f” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/131122_mrt_st.jpg”/>
Thomson‑East Coast Line: A Fresh Ride for Woodlands
Mr. Ajit Nair (64) and his wife Ms. Selina Chin (63) are already dreaming about the newfound convenience the Thomson‑East Coast Line (TEL) will bring to their neighbourhood.
A Quick Start to the Day
- Living on Nassim Hill, the couple stole a seven‑minute walk to Orchard Boulevard Station just to grab breakfast at the Killiney Café (the coffee spot next to Camden Medical).
- When the café was closed, they turned the trip into a spontaneous joyride – chasing alternative brunch spots along the brand‑new line.
- “This line is going to make life a lot easier for anyone wanting to swing by Tanglin Mall,” said Ms. Chin, who’s a lawyer by day. “Before, you’d have to pull out your car for any restaurant that caught your fancy.”
Early Days of the TEL
The first stage of the TEL hit the tracks in January 2020, launching three stations. The line starts at Woodlands North and now runs straight into the city centre and the iconic Gardens by the Bay. Ten more stations – from the Founders’ Memorial in Marina East to Sungei Bedok – are slated to open in two phases by 2025.
A Sundays Worth of Exploration
- On a recent Sunday, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and fellow MPs from Sembawang GRC—Mr. Vikram Nair and Ms. Poh Li San—joined 100 locals for a tour between Woodlands South and Maxwell stations.
- The outing, organised by grassroots leaders, also featured a quick detour to the URA Centre for a dose of local history.
- “The TEL is a substantial gift for our Woodlands residents,” said Ms. Poh. “Alongside the North‑South Line, we now have a second MRT that truly pulls us into the town.”
All told, the new line is not just a piece of infrastructure; it’s a bridge to shorter commutes, richer dining choices, and a faster connection to downtown. It promises to make everyday journeys feel like a breezy adventure for Woodlands and beyond.
Original source: The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
