This is going to be as long as an article can get, so brace yourself.

We bring both good news and bad news. Here’s the bad news:

Train services on the Downtown Line (DTL) from Bukit Panjang to Chinatown stations will start later at 7.30am on Sundays from now till Aug 27, 2017 (except for Hari Raya Puasa on Jun 25).

The good news?

The delayed operating hours signifies the opening of Downtown Line 3 (DTL3) later this year, which also marks the completion of the entire DTL. When it opens, DTL3 will provide commuters, especially the Easties, with more travel options and will cut down travelling time. But in the meantime, tests of the entire DTL as an integrated line will need to be carried out.

via GIPHY

Simple maths really. The addition of 16 new stations means that the engineering team will require five hours instead of the usual three to conduct test runs.

Additional time is also needed for preparatory works prior to the commencement of each test, and readying the systems for passenger service.

Commuters are encouraged to take existing bus services (66, 67, 75, 170/170A, 171, 190, 700A, 960, 961, 970, 972) or shuttle bus services, which will follow the Downtown Line fare structure, that run parallel to the line.

DTL is made up of the following stations (the new DTL3 stations in bold):

Bukit Panjang – Cashew – Hillview – Beauty World – King Albert Park – Sixth Avenue – Tan Kah Kee – Botanic Gardens – Stevens – Newton – Little India – Rochor – Bugis – Promenade – Bayfront – Downtown – Telok Ayer – Chinatown – Fort Canning – Bencoolen – Jalan Besar – Bendemeer – Geylang Bahru – Mattar – MacPherson – Ubi – Kaki Bukit – Bedok North – Bedok Reservoir – Tampines West – Tampines – Tampines East – Upper Changi – Expo

And oh, the total number of interchange stations on the DTL (when DTL3 is completed later this year) will be 11. Say Wow.

The end.

Top photo via.

This sponsored post ensures that we have enough in our EZ-Link card to make our journey to the East on the Downtown Line 3.