SINGAPORE: An official inauguration ceremony for the 12 km Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 2 was held on August 27, ahead of the start of passenger services the following day.
The TEL is intended to enhance connectivity between the northern, central and eastern parts of Singapore, and to strengthen the resilience of the network by providing alternative routes for people who use other lines and reducing reliance on the North-South Line.
There are 100 000 households within a 10 min walk of the six TEL2 stations at Springleaf, Lentor, Mayflower, Bright Hill, Upper Thomson and Caldecott.
The stations are designed with multiple entrances and incorporate inclusive features such as high colour contrast signs and lift buttons, stair handrail lighting and platform seats with backrest and arm support.
Trains will run along TEL1 and TEL2 from Woodlands North to Caldecott every 5 min in the peaks and every 9 min off-peak, with frequencies expected to be increased as ridership grows.
Further stages of the TEL are planned to open in the coming years, and when complete the 43 km TEL with 32 stations is expected to carry 500 000 passengers/day, increasing to about 1 million in the longer term.
Land Transport Authority says it will monitor changes in travel patterns, in particular on bus services which duplicate TEL, and make adjustments to optimise the network and reallocate resources to other areas.
