Smooth commute on first day of service adjustments on EWL

Passengers switch to shuttle buses, other MRT lines with help of crowd marshals

- Lee Nian Tjoe Senior Transport Correspondent

A crowd marshal (in background) informing commuters on board bus service Shuttle 8 that there were no train services at Tanah Merah MRT station on Nov 29, the first day of a 10-day East-West Line shutdown between Tanah Merah and Expo stations, and between Bedok and Tampines stations.

(ST PHOTOS: SHINTARO TAY)

Many passengers affected by the first day of the East-West Line (EWL) shutdown between Tanah Merah and Expo stations, and between Bedok and Tampines stations, were relatively unfazed, though some were still unaware of the MRT service changes.

On the ground, things were mostly smooth, and passengers continued their journeys on shuttle buses or via other MRT lines, with the help of an army of crowd marshals.

The service adjustments apply from Nov 29 to Dec 8. During this 10-day period, those travelling to Simei and Tanah Merah can take bus service Shuttle 7, which runs between Bedok and Tampines stations. A second service, Shuttle 8, plies between Bedok and Expo stations.

Shuttle trains run at five-minute intervals between Tampines and Pasir Ris stations, and between Expo and Changi Airport stations.

The shuttle train service between Paya Lebar and Bedok stations runs at eight-minute intervals.

These service adjustments made to facilitate works connecting the existing EWL to the new East Coast Integrated Depot come after a three-day closure between Tanah Merah and Tampines from Dec 7 to Dec 9 in 2024.

The Sunday Times spoke to passengers at Changi Airport, Expo and Bedok MRT stations, as well as the shuttle bus stop outside Bedok and Expo stations, on the morning of Nov 29.