Bukit Panjang residents adjust travel plans as early LRT closure takes effect

Bukit Panjang resident Gina Gan will reduce her visits to Johor Bahru every weekend to just once a month, as train services on the Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) will stop an hour earlier from Thursdays to Sundays between Nov 14, 2024, and Oct 31, 2025.

- Esther Loi

The 55-year-old planner told The Straits Times she is worried she would not be able to comfortably catch the last BPLRT train from Choa Chu Kang LRT station to get back to her home in Bangkit. During this period, BPLRT services will end at 10.30pm.

On the days she does go into JB, she plans to leave there much earlier than usual.

Madam Gan was among 11 passengers whom ST interviewed at five BPLRT stations on the evening of Nov 14, the first day of the early closure.

Most were unaware of the early stoppage of services, and many told ST they would get home via other transport modes, such as private-hire cars and buses, after services end.

Mr Ganesh Hegde, 35, who lives near Segar station, said he is largely unaffected by the early closure as he normally gets off work at 8pm.

But the software engineer noted that it would be "troublesome" for him to travel home when he heads out for gatherings during weekends. He said he will adjust his plans so that he can catch the last LRT train, wherever possible.