The Yishun Metro Station, which was built in 1988, will be undergoing large-scale renovations to better cope with the crowds and improve the passenger experience. The project may include increasing platform space, building an entrance, escalator and elevator, and renovating the surrounding boarding and getting off.

This will be the first pilot project of the Land Transportation Administration to enhance the North-South and East-West Line subway stations.

Ma Yanqing, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Environment and Senior Deputy Minister of Transportation, said Wednesday (March 5) when debating the Ministry of Transportation's expenditure budget at the Congressional Appropriations Committee that the North and West-South Lines have been in operation for more than 30 years. Since the Woodlands extension line was opened to traffic in 1996, the daily passenger volume of the north and west lines at that time was about 900,000, and now it has exceeded 1.6 million.

The authorities therefore plan to renovate the subway stations on both lines to better cope with the continued increase in passenger volume and ensure that passengers have a more comfortable and convenient ride experience.

He mentioned that passengers responded well to the latest facilities on the Townshen-East Coast. The Land Transportation Bureau will explore how to use the experience of building the Tangdong Line to older subway stations. Improvements can include adding more elevators and escalators, improving signage, and renovating toilets to make the environment more comfortable.

Further reading

【Parliament】Xu Fangda: North-South and East-West Metro Stations to be renovated

【Parliament】Yishun Subway Station to be renovated on a large scale-【Parliament】Yishun-Subway-Station-to-be-renovated-on-a-large-scale

[Parliament]The government plans to build the West Coast extension line to study the construction of two new subway lines

【Parliament】Yishun Subway Station to be renovated on a large scale-1741235494_264_【Parliament】Yishun-Subway-Station-to-be-renovated-on-a-large-scale

Ma Yanqing took Yishun Station as an example and said that this subway station is one of the oldest subway stations. As surrounding development projects are completed one after another, the subway station will become busier and busier. The Land Transportation Bureau will therefore discuss whether it can expand the platform space and relieve the crowds during peak hours; increase elevators, escalators and entrances to improve passenger flow; and renovate bus stops, taxi stations, boarding and drop-offs and build new covered walkways to optimize the transfer experience.

Renovation of the subway station connected to the Jurong Line and the Cross Island Line

In addition, the Land Transportation Bureau also plans to renovate the north-south and east-west subway stations connecting the Jurong regional line and the cross-island line. Among them, the Choa Chu Kang and Wen Li Station will be completed in 2027; Jurong East Station is expected to be in 2029; Brazilian Stand and Ang Mo Kio Station will be in 2030; and Jin Wentai Station will be in 2032.

A spokesperson for the Land Transportation Bureau said when asked that the renovation plan will be tailor-made based on the passenger volume, flow of people at each subway station and the development of surrounding areas. Improvements can include increasing passenger capacity, re-planning space to improve the passenger experience, and improving facilities to allow passengers to enter and exit and get on and off the subway station.

Ma Yanqing mentioned that in addition to improving infrastructure, the authorities also discussed how to rebuild public transportation space to better serve passengers and communities. Details will be announced after the study is completed.