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Six Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) stations are set to open to commuters in the third quarter of 2021.

In a Facebook post today, May 14, Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung shared a sneak preview of some stations which will open in the coming months.

He confirmed that the stations are undergoing testing and would be ready for operation in the third quarter this year.

From Springleaf to Caldecott

The six new stations will stretch from Springleaf to Caldecott, and are Stage Two of the TEL (TEL 2); Stage One, including Woodlands North, Woodlands, and Woodlands South stations, opened in January 2020.

Ong wrote that TEL 2 will expand Singapore's rail network, and further connect the northern part of Singapore to the Circle Line.

The opening is expected to benefit some 100,000 households, who will be within a 10-minute walk of one of the nine stations along stages one and two of the TEL.

It will also bring time savings to commuters.

For example, Sin Ming residents travelling to Republic Polytechnic will have their travel time cut from 50 minutes to 25 minutes.

Uniquely designed

According to Ong, each station is carefully designed with its own unique features.

The TEL Caldecott station will have an ‘X’ architecture feature.

While inspired by the birdwatching community in the Kebun Baru area, the Mayflower station will have bird sculptures scattered throughout.

The Springleaf station will have a “Tree of Memories” art piece, designed by local artist Koh Hong Teng.

The other 23 stations on the TEL are projected to open by 2024.

Ong had previously said that the government “remains committed" to extend the MRT network from the present 230km to 360km by the early 2030s.

Top image via Ong Ye Kung Facebook