Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong officially launched the stage 1 of Downtown Line (DTL 1) yesterday.

The six-station, 4.3km DTL1 begins operating today from Chinatown to Bugis.

DTL will be served by 88 trains, with DTL1 using six out of the 88 trains.

Below are four things you should know about the Stage 1 of the Downtown Line:

1. PM Lee's remarks on commuting in trains

Source: Lee Hsien Loong Facebook

PM Lee: "These infrastructure improvements will take time (DTL will be completed by 2017), but meanwhile there are many little things which we can do to make our journeys more pleasant, for example, giving up seats to those who need them more."

He was glad that passengers are getting more orderly in Singapore, just like Toyko and Seoul.

"At Bishan and Ang Mo Kio stations, the commuters are starting to queue to board trains, and SMRT and LTA are quietly encouraging passengers at other stations to follow suit.  And it is beginning to happen, even at crowded stations like City Hall.  It shows good social graces, and it makes getting on and off a more pleasant social experience."

2. Free travel on Downtown Line for 11 days

Source: Land Transport Authority Facebook

The travel is free only when you enter and exit through any of the 6 DTL stations.

3. Downtown Line is Singapore's fifth major MRT line

Source: Land Transport Authority Facebook

Downtown Line will be completed in 2017, in three stages. It will connect the northwestern and eastern regions of Singapore to the city centre.

4. Voting for favourite reserved seat design

Top photo from Lee Hsien Loong Facebook. Photo by Terence Tan.

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