Up to 17 minutes off-peak wait time at Bedok & Kembangan MRT stations due to testing for new depot

Commuters at Bedok and Kembangan stations along the East-West Line (EWL) may experience slightly longer waiting times of up to 17 minutes during off-peak hours as works to connect the line to a new depot enter its testing phase.

The update was shared by LTA Group Director for Rail (Electrical and Mechanical), Chia Choon Poh, on Dec. 5.

Chia also highlighted that the scheduled construction works are on track, and the affected stations will re-open as planned on Dec. 9.

Additional 17 minutes wait to facilitate testing

Several stations along the EWL, between Bedok and Expo, have been closed since Nov. 29 to facilitate construction works in preparation for the opening of the new East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID).

"For the past six days, our teams were focused on the three main tasks, which were to remove, reconnect and test," Chia shared.

He added that the replacement of new rails and track components have been successful, and trains can now be launched from the new ECID.

"Even though for the past few days, we faced heavy downpours and rain, our team managed to push on, and we are on track to resume East-West Line services on Dec. 9," Chia said.

What follows will be the critical work of retesting the system to ensure safety and reliability, in preparation for passenger services.

One platform each at Bedok and Kembangan stations will be used to carry out the testing works.

As such, during off-peak hours, commuters may experience up to 17 minutes of additional waiting time, Chia informed.

More than 280 staff will be on the ground to help guide commuters, he added.

"Thank you to the public and commuters for your patience and kind understanding. We will continue to work hard to push hard to finish testing as soon as possible," Chia said.

New depot, station layout changes

Following the completion of the construction works, the ECID will serve the EWL, Thomson East-Coast Line (TEL), and the Downtown Line and increase capacity for train launches and withdrawals.

It will also provide for greater flexibility to adjust service patterns and faster response to incidents.

The new ECID is a four-in-one depot that brings together three train depots and one bus depot within a single site.

The layout of Tanah Merah train station will also change, with the addition of a new platform to accommodate the TEL extension.

Passengers heading in the Pasir Ris direction will alight and board trains on a different platform.

Commuters travelling in the Pasir Ris direction will have to cross to a new platform.

Platforms will be re-labelled and signages will be put up to guide commuters on the changes.

Top photos via Mothership, Wikimedia Commons