No train services on EWL between Tanah Merah & Expo stations from Mar. 14 to 17

There will be no train services on the East-West Line (EWL) between Tanah Merah and Expo stations from Mar. 14 to 17, 2026, to facilitate essential upgrading works.

In a joint press release with SMRT and SBS Transit, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) also announced service adjustments on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SPLRT) from Apr. 19 to Oct. 18, 2026.

During this period, only the Sengkang West Outer Loop will operate.

Commuters are advised to plan their journeys in advance and factor in additional travelling time.

Train service adjustments along EWL

The temporary adjustment follows the operationalisation of the East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID) in December 2025.

LTA and SMRT will take the final step of disconnecting the reception tracks linking the EWL to Changi Depot.

As a result, there will be no train services between Tanah Merah and Expo stations from Mar. 14 to 17, 2026.

Train services between Tuas Link and Pasir Ris stations will continue to operate as usual.

To maintain connectivity, Shuttle Bus Service 8 (S8), will run between Tanah Merah and Expo stations at intervals of about five to eight minutes.

Meanwhile, train services between Expo and Changi Airport stations will operate at seven-minute intervals during peak hours.

Commuters are encouraged to use existing bus services to connect to alternative MRT lines, such as the Downtown Line (DTL).

Single loop operations on Sengkang West LRT

The Sengkang West Inner Loop (via Cheng Lim LRT station from Sengkang LRT station) will be closed from Apr. 19 to Oct. 18, 2026.

This is part of plans to expand the SPLRT fleet from 25 one-car Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) and 16 two-car LRVs, to 33 two-car LRVs.

Since July 2025, LTA has been progressively introducing new two-car LRVs to replace the first-generation fleet.

By end-February 2026, seven new two-car LRVs will be in passenger service, with the remaining 18 to be deployed after depot expansion works are completed.

To support the larger fleet, the SPLRT depot is being expanded from 3.5 hectares to 11.1 hectares.

When completed in 2027, the expanded depot will include additional reception and workshop tracks.

The six-month closure of the Inner Loop is required to connect the new reception tracks to the existing mainline, as well as to carry out heavy track modifications and install and test signalling systems.

Alternative routes for Sengkang West LRT

During the closure, commuters can use regular bus services and the Sengkang West Outer Loop (via Renjong LRT station from Sengkang LRT station), which will operate fully with two-car LRVs to maximise capacity.

Two dedicated shuttle bus services — Sengkang West Shuttle Bus Service A and B — will operate from Sengkang Bus Interchange during weekday peak hours (6am to 10am and 5:30pm to 9:30pm).

The buses will ply different routes in the morning and evening and run at intervals of about three to five minutes.

Fares will be the same as LRT journeys.

The shuttle services will begin on Apr. 13, 2026, one week before the LRT adjustment, and will cease once regular service on the Sengkang West Inner Loop resumes.

Crowd marshals and station staff will be deployed to assist commuters.

Passengers are encouraged to check the MyTransport.SG app and LTA, SMRT and SBS Transit social media channels for updates, and to look out for station posters at affected stations.

Top photos from Google Photos and LTA