The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SMRT have announced a significant disruption to the East-West Line (EWL) train services between Tanah Merah and Tampines stations from December 7 to December 10, 2024. This interruption is necessary for essential track works, specifically the connection of tracks to the East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID).
The planned disruption will span four days, during which trains will not operate on this segment of the EWL for safety reasons. The LTA has assured the public that all preparatory work has been completed in advance, including the construction of viaducts, to minimize the duration of the closure.
To accommodate affected commuters, shuttle train services will be available. The shuttle trains will run at the following intervals:
- Between Tampines and Pasir Ris stations every five minutes.
- Between Tanah Merah and Expo stations every eight minutes.
- Between Expo and Changi Airport every 11 minutes.
Additionally, from December 9 to 10, during peak hours, some trains heading towards Tanah Merah will terminate at Paya Lebar station to maintain service frequency.
In conjunction with the shuttle trains, a dedicated shuttle bus service (Shuttle 7) will operate between Tampines, Simei, and Tanah Merah stations from the first train until the last train. This bus service will run every three to five minutes, providing further convenience for commuters. The bus will start its route at Tanah Merah Station Exit B, making stops at Opposite Simei Station before concluding at Tampines Interchange. Conversely, the shuttle heading towards Tanah Merah will begin at Tampines Station Exit E, stopping at Simei Station before reaching Tanah Merah Station Exit A.
Commuters are strongly advised to plan their journeys in advance and to allow for an additional travel time of up to 20 minutes during this period. For real-time updates and information, passengers can utilize the LTA’s MyTransport.SG mobile app, as well as the social media channels of LTA and SMRT.
Station staff will be present at the affected stations to assist commuters during the service adjustments. It is important to note that train frequencies on the rest of the East-West Line will remain unaffected during this disruption.
As the December holiday season approaches, the LTA encourages all commuters to stay informed and to make necessary adjustments to their travel plans to ensure a smooth journey.