Upcoming Cross Island Line expected to have 600,000 passengers daily

It will cover 50 km and have about 30 stations.

The future Cross Island Line (CRL) is expected to have at least 600,000 trips daily by the time it is completed, according to Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

Khaw noted that the CRL will link east to west, from Changi to Jurong, and cover more than 50 km with about 30 stations. About half of all the 30 plus new stations will be interchange stations, Khaw noted.

The CRL will serve commuters from residential areas like Loyang, Pasir Ris, Hougang, Ang Mo Kio, Sin Ming, Bukit Timah, Clementi and West Coast. This will place the CRL higher, in terms of capacity and usage, compared to the North East Line (NEL).

However, Khaw noted that the exact alignment of the CRL is still being studied, and all the studies and consultations may take two more years to complete.

One of the biggest issues regarding the CRL’s construction is its effect on the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), with some groups voicing concern that the line’s construction will affect fauna in the CCNR. 

“The CRL is a massive project and the Government will decide on its entire alignment only after making a total assessment, including financial viability, technical feasibility and other relevant considerations. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is only one of the many studies which we need to undertake to help us determine the best alignment for the stretch of the CRL in the vicinity of the nature reserve,” Khaw said.