Downtown Line - BTL and ERL sees light finally
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05 November 2006
MRT feasibility studies underway for Downtown Line
SINGAPORE: A new 40-kilometre MRT line could be in the works to connect the Bukit Timah and eastern parts of the island to the New Downtown.
Feasibility studies for this are currently underway.
This and other projects are in the pipeline as the Transport Ministry takes stock of the public transport system and develops a new road map for the next 10 to 15 years.
Last year, the Land Transport Authority announced plans for a Downtown Extension Line to serve the Marina Bay area.
Now, it is carrying out studies to check the feasibility of extending this to the Bukit Timah and Eastern Region Lines.
Together, all three could form a 40-kilometre Downtown Line that will connect people from the northwest and east to the planned Business and Financial Centre and integrated resort at Marina Bay.
Previous reports have said that the Eastern Region Line will be a rectangular loop around the Jalan Besar area and the East Coast while the Bukit Timah Line will link Upper Bukit Timah to the city.
Meanwhile, buses will continue to be a key part of the transport system - with the focus on making it more commuter-friendly such as reducing waiting times and considering options like full-day bus lanes.
More rail lines and better bus services are only part of the solution. The review will also look at how the entire transport system is set up.
One issue is the public transport operator setup, which new GPC Chairman for Transport Cedric Foo, feels can be improved.
Mr Foo said: "The two are separately listed in the Exchange, they compete with each other. So, obviously they will not try to help one another and that creates problems for commuters.
"For example, when SBS issued monthly seasonal passes, the same seasonal monthly pass cannot be used on SMRT."
Over at the ports, work has started to make Pasir Panjang Terminal a mega-port that will be able to handle the next generation of ultra-large container ships.
Whilst tax incentives were introduced earlier this year to maintain Singapore as a preferred base for shipping. Focus is also on growing maritime services to be a second engine of growth, creating more jobs and business.
And Changi Airport's Terminal 3 is on schedule to open in 20-08, by which time Changi Airport will be able to handle up to 67 million passengers annually.
Air travel will also become easier and cheaper as Singapore pursues more liberal air services agreements with key areas like China, India and ASEAN. - CNA/so -
Nov 6, 2006
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT
Network review for a more seamless journey
Move to improve access, connectivity of bus, train services
By T. Rajan
THE Ministry of Transport (MOT) has begun a review of the land transport network in its drive to improve access and connectivity.
One key thrust of the review is to develop the train and bus networks over the next few years.
In the ministry's addenda to the President's Address at the opening of Parliament on Thursday, Transport Minister Raymond Lim also outlined his plans to shorten public transport travel times.
'In a city-state like ours, the vast majority of Singaporeans will have to rely on public transport as their principal mode of travel,' he said.
Mr Lim added that building a high-quality and affordable urban transport system is crucial. As the population grows, future travel needs will also increase.
To help achieve these goals, the MOT will continue to invest in the public transport infrastructure, he said.
Mr Lim noted that moves to expand the network are already under way. He cited the Circle Line as one example of works in progress.
When it is completed, from 2010 onwards, travel to the city from the suburban areas like Pasir Panjang will be faster, bypassing busy stations like City Hall.
Also, the development of Marina Bay has made better rail access to the area more important.
The Downtown Line, approved last year, will allow commuters to get across the island faster to places like Marina Centre, he said.
Also on the cards are two new lines to link the northwestern and eastern areas of the island to the 60km Downtown Line.
Mr Lim said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is conducting feasibility studies to see how it can link the Bukit Timah Line and the Eastern Regional Line to the Downtown Line.
Mr Lim will also be training his focus on improving bus service quality and concerns over issues like waiting times and reliability.
The Public Transport Council's new set of Quality of Service Standards, introduced in July, will help ensure this, he added.
Mr Lim also said that improving access for the disabled to the public transport system will continue, with initiatives like buses with wheelchair access, launched four months ago.
He said: 'The LTA will upgrade commuter and road facilities... to help not only less mobile Singaporeans move around more easily, but also the average commuter to have a more seamless journey from door to door.'
trajan@sph.com.sg
Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. -
So is it confirmed building it already?
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i believe in 2009, once the current tunneling ppl at circle line has done their job, then they can continue to build these 2 lines and retain their talents.
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glad to know the project will proceed...
who u think'll operate BTL? sbs or smrt?
DTE connected to CCL right? the article say until like DTE is part of BTL???
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Let's just have SMRT run the trains and SBS Transit get the heck out of this train business..
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SBS trains are faster lehOriginally posted by LazerLordz:Let's just have SMRT run the trains and SBS Transit get the heck out of this train business.. -
Sadly...Originally posted by LazerLordz:Let's just have SMRT run the trains and SBS Transit get the heck out of this train business..
It's SBS that seems to be able to provide better frequent trains if not for the breakdowns
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not true... i've seen the console and the speed limitor is 75kmh nia...Originally posted by SBS9828X:SBS trains are faster leh
SMRT ones travel up to 80kmh...
besides... the sbs trains hardly reach 75... for almost the whole line its always 60-70kmh... observed this during a manual operation...
sbs trains only accelerate faster and takes longer time to slow down too... -
but then sbs peak hour trains 4mins... but smrt trains run the peak hour zones at 1-2mins a train...Originally posted by sbst275:Sadly...
It's SBS that seems to be able to provide better frequent trains if not for the breakdowns -
Peak hr dun say...Originally posted by SMRT 32373238:but then sbs peak hour trains 4mins... but smrt trains run the peak hour zones at 1-2mins a train...
Off peak during day time... 6 - 7 mins.. SMRT can go up to 9 mins -
All these problems date back to Marbok Tan's gaffe in 1999, which saw SBS(T) winning NEL tender and Tibs Holdings forced to merge with SMRT.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Let's just have SMRT run the trains and SBS Transit get the heck out of this train business..
TransitLink should take a few lessons from Transperth. Just look at the Circle Route bus service. It is so efficient because ALL the bus operators are involved. -
Those people up there certainly didn't consider the concept of a 'natural monopoly'.Originally posted by iveco:All these problems date back to Marbok Tan's gaffe in 1999, which saw SBS(T) winning NEL tender and Tibs Holdings forced to merge with SMRT.
TransitLink should take a few lessons from Transperth. Just look at the Circle Route bus service. It is so efficient because ALL the bus operators are involved.
Or if they did, they certainly didn't think it was all that important. -
hmm good point... but have u really timed it as 9mins?Originally posted by sbst275:Peak hr dun say...
Off peak during day time... 6 - 7 mins.. SMRT can go up to 9 mins
i once saw the Northbound board at CityHall it said 15mins.. but its screwed... it came in 5mins... i guess something wrong with the signalling there... -
You can use the clock on the screenOriginally posted by SMRT 32373238:hmm good point... but have u really timed it as 9mins?
i once saw the Northbound board at CityHall it said 15mins.. but its screwed... it came in 5mins... i guess something wrong with the signalling there...
Actually, sometimes it's best to merge them... -
Please try to go back to topic
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If I'm not wrong, ERL is planned for Downtown <-> Jln Besar <-> Kallang Bahru <-> Ubi <-> Bedok Reservoir <-> Marine Parade
Seriously the Marine Parade leg can be off
The ERL should end at Bedok Reservoir -
Anyone saw the RI guy's subway map? He made it seem that the ERL had two branches, one to Tampines, another to East Coast.Originally posted by sbst275:If I'm not wrong, ERL is planned for Downtown <-> Jln Besar <-> Kallang Bahru <-> Ubi <-> Bedok Reservoir <-> Marine Parade
Seriously the Marine Parade leg can be off
The ERL should end at Bedok Reservoir
Anyway, if ERL is running parallel to Jln Besar/Bendemeer, wouldn't it duplicate NEL? Also, was there any plans for LRT in Marine parade/Katong area? -
The RI Guy's map is in one of the past threadsOriginally posted by iveco:Anyone saw the RI guy's subway map? He made it seem that the ERL had two branches, one to Tampines, another to East Coast.
Anyway, if ERL is running parallel to Jln Besar/Bendemeer, wouldn't it duplicate NEL? Also, was there any plans for LRT in Marine parade/Katong area? -
NEL runs along serangoon rd. ERL runs along jalan besar. 100m away. and that's the difference! soon, no buses will run on these two roads!Originally posted by iveco:Anyone saw the RI guy's subway map? He made it seem that the ERL had two branches, one to Tampines, another to East Coast.
Anyway, if ERL is running parallel to Jln Besar/Bendemeer, wouldn't it duplicate NEL? Also, was there any plans for LRT in Marine parade/Katong area?
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ERL is quite redundant...dun think theres a need for that. It somesort is the same as NEL + EWL~~
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I agree. Seriously Marine Parade area should have a station there. Now, it is so inaccessible there. I have to transfer to bus after alighting at Bedok MRT. Besides, the Marine Parade Terminal services only serves until Siglap Road and also does not goes to Parkway Parade.Originally posted by iveco:Anyone saw the RI guy's subway map? He made it seem that the ERL had two branches, one to Tampines, another to East Coast.
Anyway, if ERL is running parallel to Jln Besar/Bendemeer, wouldn't it duplicate NEL? Also, was there any plans for LRT in Marine parade/Katong area? -
Actually if the Airport is still at Paya Lebar, maybe it would be feasible...
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If airport were still @ Paya Lebar, MacPherson Rd would need to be upgraded to semi-expressway.Originally posted by sbst275:Actually if the Airport is still at Paya Lebar, maybe it would be feasible... -
Which routes are you referring to? Many Parkway pde services go to UEC or loop @ Siglap.Originally posted by CAIX:I agree. Seriously Marine Parade area should have a station there. Now, it is so inaccessible there. I have to transfer to bus after alighting at Bedok MRT. Besides, the Marine Parade Terminal services only serves until Siglap Road and also does not goes to Parkway Parade.