$60b eyed for rail network expansion over the next decade

The stage 2 of the Thomson-East Coast Line will be completed in a few months.

Singapore eyes spending over $60b on expanding and renewing its rail network over the next decade, transport minister Khaw Boon Wan said in a Committee of Supply (COS) speech.

After the completion of the first stage of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) in January, the second stage will follow within the next few months, Khaw said.

The government will also complete the extensions to North East Line and Downtown Line, by 2023 and 2024, respectively, within the next term of government. “We will see four new stations added to our rail network, and this includes the opening of Hume station by 2025,” he said.

The Circle Line will also be completed, with the final stretch at Keppel being “the most challenging to build and also the most costly,” the minister said. The Jurong Region Line will also be finished by 2028.

As part of the expansion, the government eyes completing Phase 1 of the Cross Island Line by 2029. “This will contribute towards the subsequent growth of our rail network to 360km, from the current 230km,” Khaw said.

The government also eyes the renewal of the North-South Line and East-West Line (NSEWL) by around 2023.

“By then, we would also be able to see the benefits from the renewal of our oldest LRT, the Bukit Panjang LRT. Ageing train stations too, will be suitably refurbished and upgraded, especially the toilets and the escalators. And in time, we will also need to renew the next oldest lines – North East Line and Sengkang Punggol LRT in good time,” Khaw said.