The Circle Line: Creating New Connections
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentleman
Good evening
I am pleased to be here this evening to celebrate the opening of the stretch of the Circle Line, from Dhoby Ghaut to Bartley.
2 This stretch of the Circle Line comprises 11 stations, which serves the northern and eastern parts of Singapore. Together with the section from Bartley to Marymount that was opened in May last year, we have added a total of 16 stations and about 17 kms of rail to our MRT network.
Increasing Connectivity and Saving Travel Time
3 The Circle Line will enhance the quality of commute for the public - connecting homes, workplaces, and social and recreational destinations, more quickly and seamlessly.
4 With this opening, some 200,000 commuters will benefit directly from shorter journeys and significant time savings. For example, a person travelling from Woodlands to Paya Lebar on the Circle Line will be able to save about 15 minutes. Many others will also benefit from better access to the northern and eastern parts of Singaporewithout having to change trains at the busy City Hall and Raffles Place interchanges as they do now. This should help ease congestion on the trains headed towards the busy city area, making for a more pleasant ride on the existing rail lines.
5 This stretch of the Circle Line also connects us to the doorsteps of major cultural destinations such as our museums, as well as recreational and sporting venues like FortCanningPark and the Stadium. And for those headed to destinations around Suntec or the Esplanade, whether for work or for leisure, the Circle Line provides an additional and very convenient transport option, including for those who currently drive.
Stations built with the Commuter in Mind
6 We have also endeavoured to make each Circle Line station part of a unique commuter experience. Each features our integrated Art-in-Transit programme, bringing colour, passion and the perspectives of Singapore’s own artists. This makes for a more pleasant and meaningful journey for our commuters. For example, the Bras Basah station where we are this evening, is an architectural marvel with its unique reflecting pool that allows sunlight to flood the station during the day.
Government’s Commitment to Enhancing Public Transport System
7 The opening of the Circle Line underscores the Government’s commitment to improve our public transport capacity and connectivity, so as to make it a choice mode for all. Indeed, even as we are building and opening the Circle Line in phases, there are already plans in the pipeline to further expand the rail network. New lines, such as the Downtown Line, will be progressively added to the rail network to cater for future growth in travel demand. When completed, these rail lines will bring us even closer to our vision of a well-connected and vibrant city of the future.
8 Even as we intensify our rail network, buses continue to play a major role in the land transport landscape. LTA has taken on the role of central bus planner, so that both the bus and rail systems are planned in an integrated manner. We will also look forward to a re-structured fare system in July this year when transfer penalties are removed. When all these are in place, commuters will be able to benefit from a more integrated and efficient public transport system.
Remembering the People
9 The journey towards the opening of this stretch of the Circle Line has not been an easy one. As LTA celebrates its 15 years of formation this year, we also celebrate and remember the many people who plan, design and build our urban transport network. I would like to thank everyone who had a part in bringing to fruition this Circle Line project and also to SMRT for their partnership. Not forgetting too, the members of public, who have been inconvenienced, in one way or another, by the project works. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I am confident that you will enjoy the benefits that the Circle Line brings.
Thank you.
