MRT: Circle Line

[mrtfreak]

The incompatibility will be limited though.

East-West & North-South Lines - Kawasaki & Siemens rolling stock
North-East Line - Exclusively Alstom (currently, future expansion may change this)
Circle Line - Exclusively Alstom (ala NEL)
Downtown Line - Exclusively Bombardier (ala NEL)

Only the East-West and North-South lines are directly linked together. The Downtown and Circle lines share one depot together but apart from that are not directly linked to each other. This means that the new lines have their own rolling stock which is from one supplier only for the time being, so for the moment there are no incompatibility issues on these lines.

[jpatokal]

The incompatibility will be limited though.

East-West & North-South Lines - Kawasaki & Siemens rolling stock
North-East Line - Exclusively Alstom (currently, future expansion may change this)
Circle Line - Exclusively Alstom (ala NEL)
Downtown Line - Exclusively Bombardier (ala NEL)

Only the East-West and North-South lines are directly linked together. The Downtown and Circle lines share one depot together but apart from that are not directly linked to each other. This means that the new lines have their own rolling stock which is from one supplier only for the time being, so for the moment there are no incompatibility issues on these lines.

But it's still stupid -- they're willfully throwing away efficiencies of scale, and now need to have four support agreements, four sets of spare parts, train everything four times, can't swap trains between lines if actual demand doesn't match projections, etc.

I hope that they've ensured that at least the Circle Line and Downtown Line trainsets are compatible though, since they're both three-car sets and, as you mentioned, they'll even share a depot. The current running plan, with CL and DL trains sharing the same route (but not necessarily the same tracks?) between Promenade and Bayfront is awkward and I'd expect to see some changes take place in the future.

[mrtfreak]

I don't know. Personally, I think its okay and doesn't really matter. After all, other systems also have multiple rolling stock manufactured by different companies (eg. BTS with its current Siemens and future China-made stock). The new lines are made to have trains dedicated to serving only the intended line (as seen with NEL, since it only displays a line map and not system map). The older lines were built together, hence the ability for rolling stock to serve multiple lines. However, newer lines are no longer built together (eg. Promenade CCL built before Promenade DTL) and even though they may share the same infrastructure (eg. KC Depot), they run on different systems. To my knowledge, the DTL system will be separate from the CCL system as KCD is built with 2 Operation Control Centres.

For Promenade, both lines will be served by different stacked stations with concourses linked. With regards to Bayfront, there is an unconfirmed possibility that it may be a cross-platform interchange. However, both lines will use separate tracks and from existing drawings, it does not seem apparent that there will be any links between the lines.

Also to note, the Boon Lay Extension will begin operation on 28 February 2009. Fare displays have already included both Pioneer and Joo Koon stations with an under-construction sticker placed over them.

[jpatokal]

The Boon Lay-Joo Koon extension of the East-West Line opens on February 28. I'll be there! (on the 29th)

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_341213.html

The BLE, which took about three years to complete, will begin revenue service on Feb 28.

It comprises two stations - the Pioneer Station and the Joo Koon Station.

The Pioneer station is located along the Jurong West Street 63, while the Joo Koon Station services the industrial estate along International Road.

The BLE, which is linked to the existing East West line from Boon Lay Station will reduce travel time for commuters who previously had to travel all the way to Boon Lay to access the MRT.

The extension is expected to have a ridership of 35,000 commuters a day.

[jpatokal]

It's open:

http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring...02-125514.html

In the end I didn't make it down (change of plans), but there are
lots of pictures by other people here:

http://politics.sgforums.com/forums/...ookmark?page=3

The next new MRT section to open in Singapore will be Bartley-Marymount, the first segment of the Circle Line, scheduled for 30 May 2009. On the East-West Line, another 14 km, 5 station extension towards Tuas, at the
westernmost tip of Singapore, will start construction soon, for
completion by 2015.

[jpatokal]

An interesting CG walkthrough of the upcoming East-West Line (elevated) to Circle Line (underground) interchange at Paya Lebar:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...33277885805601

[jpatokal]

The first tenders for the East-West Line extension are out and the busy bees at Skyscrapercity put together this map:




Note the interchange station for a future branch towards "Tuas South".

[jpatokal]

Time to create a new thread for the Circle Line? The first 5-station section is now open!

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_382658.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_382309.html

No official opening dates for the rest yet, but they will likely open in phases next year. Will try to go for a ride this weekend...

[jpatokal]

Went for a little ride this weekend, and here's a few snaps:


Coming in from Serangoon North-East Line station


Connecting corridor -- surprisingly wide and spacious, with travellators on both sides


Ticketing level


Down the escalators to the platform


Screen doors


Route map (not too complex yet...)


All aboard


Zoom! (The funny triangle shape is a reflection from somewhere.)


Circle Line Par-Tay at Bishan! Which, in Singapore, turned out to mean free SMRT balloons for kids, an empty stage and lots of cops and SMRT people standing around looking bored.

All in all, the Circle Line looks very similar to the North-East Line, in terms of both the stations and the trains (which are both Alstom Metropolis). They've obviously learned from the crowds at Outram Park to make the connecting corridor wider... but I'm not sure the three-car trains (and three-car platforms) will be enough to cope with the load when the whole thing opens.

[Yappofloyd]

All in all, the Circle Line looks very similar to the North-East Line, in terms of both the stations and the trains (which are both Alstom Metropolis). They've obviously learned from the crowds at Outram Park to make the connecting corridor wider... but I'm not sure the three-car trains (and three-car platforms) will be enough to cope with the load when the whole thing opens.

Thanks for the pics.

It does look pretty much the same as the NE Line. I usually stay with friends near Marymount so I am glad this section opened first. It is very surprising that the platforms are so short as how will the system cope for future growth if they are only 3 car lengths long (Serangoon looks longer than this in your pic)?

[jpatokal]

Thanks for the pics.

It does look pretty much the same as the NE Line. I usually stay with friends near Marymount so I am glad this section opened first. It is very surprising that the platforms are so short as how will the system cope for future growth if they are only 3 car lengths long (Serangoon looks longer than this in your pic)?

Three things:

First, the Metropolis cars are actually quite long (~23m) and have four doors on each side, while the platform is segmented every two doors. Thus, what looks like a four-car platform in the picture is actually only showing two cars' worth.

Second, some of the stations (incl. Serangoon and Bishan) are designated as civil defense shelters and do have platforms long enough for four cars (eight segments). According to SSC scuttlebutt, almost none of the other infrastructure needed for 4-car operation is in place though.

Third, the signalling is supposed to be so advanced that they could run the trains at 30-second intervals. This is probably impossible in practice (good luck boarding and disembarking that fast), but even 1-min intervals would give pretty good capacity.

[jpatokal]

Tunnelling for the Circle Line is now complete:

SINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has finally completed all tunnelling work for the Circle Line.

Engineers said working on stage four of the project was particularly challenging because of the route's geological conditions.

Ow Chuan Nam, director, Circle Line 4, LTA, said: "This route consists of… soft ground plus hard ground. You name it, we have it. And also, it's quite a long route to bore through, three kilometres in fact.

LTA said work on the Circle Line is on schedule, with about 76 per cent of the railway track already completed. All forty trains for the Circle Line have been delivered to the Kim Chuan Depot.

Five stations - Dhoby Ghaut, Bras Basah, Esplanade, Promenade and Tai Seng - are expected to get their temporary occupancy permits by the end of 2009, with revenue services for the remaining stations expected to start progressively from 2010 onwards.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...449350/1/.html

...but it's 50% over budget:

THE good news is that stages of the new Circle Line that lead to downtown Singapore could open by the second quarter of next year, with the entire 33.3km, 29-station project ready by early-2011.

But the not-so-good news is that the project, which started in 2002, could cost taxpayers close to $10 billion, or 50 per cent more than the original $6.7 billion bill.

http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring...18-161682.html

[Yappofloyd]

Three things:

First, the Metropolis cars are actually quite long (~23m) and have four doors on each side, while the platform is segmented every two doors. Thus, what looks like a four-car platform in the picture is actually only showing two cars' worth.

Second, some of the stations (incl. Serangoon and Bishan) are designated as civil defense shelters and do have platforms long enough for four cars (eight segments). According to SSC scuttlebutt, almost none of the other infrastructure needed for 4-car operation is in place though.

Third, the signalling is supposed to be so advanced that they could run the trains at 30-second intervals. This is probably impossible in practice (good luck boarding and disembarking that fast), but even 1-min intervals would give pretty good capacity.

Khun jpatokal, I was in Sing last week and took the opportunity to ride the circle line. I did notice that the length of the platforms at the two interchange stations is longer than the current rolling stock configeration but the platforms still seemed a little narrow and short to me for future expansion of pax numbers. Station concourse areas are large and spacious though.

Frequency was at bit lower than I would have thought (7 mins) - even during the afternoon peak - but each service I rode was approx. about 30% loadings which for the first small section seems about right.

Livery and interior colours are great.

Also, surprisingly the network maps at the Airport station do not show the 1st stage of the Circle Line as open.

[mrtfreak]

Stages 1 & 2 which serve the Marina and eastern Singapore areas is expected to open in the first half of next year. This would definitely help connectivity and cut down travel time. Testing of systems has been going on for some time now, and hoardings covering the alterations at one of the interchange stations is now down to reveal transfer linkways and such. Commuters are certainly anticipating the next stretch opening.

Work on Stages 4 & 5 is also progressing for inaugragation in 2011. Most stations are finishing work on the roof areas and will be covering back the soil soon, if not already started.

Frequency can be as low as 7 mins since the current section is only 5 stations long and serves very low density areas. Marymount station is probably the one that would see most traffic as an individual station since its the one with most public housing near by. Lorong Chuan and Bartley are in mostly private residential areas where the occupants can most likely afford cars. Bishan and Serangoon would have the highest footfall due to both being interchange stations with existing lines as well as bus interchanges.

[jpatokal]

The first part of Singapore's massive "Resorts World at Sentosa" casino/theme park complex (http://www.rwsentosa.com/) opens on January 20th, and the "Waterfront" station of the Sentosa Express monorail will be opening along with it. This is in fact the second reincarnation of the station: the original was built along with the rest of the line in 2003-2006, but was never opened and was demolished around Dec 2007 to make way for the Resorts World construction. However, the monorail line itself kept operating throughout construction, so you had views like this right out the train window:

http://patokallio.name/photo/travel/...struction2.JPG

I'm looking forward to taking a ride next week!