7 New TEL Stations Might Be Opened in the First Half of 2024

TEL4: Revolutionising East-Singapore Connectivity with 7 New MRT Stations in 2024

Here’s a piece of exciting news to TEL you! The sixth MRT line in Singapore, the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), is set to welcome its fourth stage (TEL4) ahead of its predicted completion in 2025.

The fourth stage will introduce 7 new stations:
– Tanjong Rhu
– Katong Park
– Tanjong Katong
– Marine Parade
– Marine Terrace
– Siglap
– Bayshore

ADVERTISEMENT

Are any of these stations conveniently located near you?

An Overview of TEL’s Progress

The TEL, a fully underground and driverless MRT line, serves as an alternative for people travelling North-South who currently lack easy access to MRT stations.

A significant benefit of the TEL has been the reduction in travel time—35 minutes from Woodlands South to Orchard, compared to the previous 50-minute journey by bus and MRT.

Initially announced in 2008 as the Thomson Line and in 2011 as the Eastern Region Line, these two lines were merged in 2014 to form what we know today as the TEL.

Here’s a brief overview of the TEL’s stages and their openings:

Original Image: LTA

TEL 1: Woodlands to North-South Line
– Date Opened: 31 Jan 2020
– Stations: Woodlands North, Woodlands, Woodlands South
– Interchange: Woodlands (NSL)

Want to advertise your business on our website, or on The Blue Cat’s video series? Click here!
Cat with computer

TEL 2: Connecting Thomson
– Date Opened: 28 August 2021
– Stations: Springleaf, Lentor, Mayflower, Bright Hill, Upper Thomson, Caldecott
– Interchange: Caldecott (CCL)

TEL 3: Direct Access to CBD and Marina Bay
– Date Opened: 13 November 2022
– Stations: Stevens, Napier, Orchard Boulevard, Orchard, Great World, Havelock, Outram Park, Maxwell, Shenton Way, Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay
– Interchanges: Stevens (DTL), Orchard (NSL), Outram Park (EWL & NEL), Marina Bay (NSL & CCL)

Read Also:  Singaporean Female Primary School Teacher Performs Sexual Acts With 13-Year-Old Student, Faces Four Charges

TEL 4: Journey To The East
– Date Set to Open: First Half of 2024
– Stations: Tanjong Rhu, Katong Park, Tanjong Katong, Marine Parade, Marine Terrace, Siglap, Bayshore, *Founder’s Memorial
*Founder’s Memorial station will open in conjunction with the Founder’s Memorial in the future. It is located between Gardens by the Bay station and the new Tanjong Rhu station.

ADVERTISEMENT

TEL 5
– Date Set to Open: 2025 (if no delays, let’s pray)
– Stations: Bedok South, Sungei Bedok

TEL Extension (as announced in Land Transport Master Plan 2040)
– Stations: Changi Airport Terminal 5, Changi Airport, Expo, Tanah Merah

East Residents to Rejoice

A Facebook post by the Land Transport Authority in July 2023 suggested that TEL4 should “bring a smile” to those living in the East, offering direct connectivity to the city centre.

ADVERTISEMENT

This long-awaited connectivity means, for some, the convenience of walking to a nearby station, a luxury previously unavailable to many, especially in the East.

With TEL2 and TEL3, stations in the Thomson and downtown regions were opened.

ADVERTISEMENT

The upcoming TEL4, scheduled for this year, and TEL5, slated for next year, will notably benefit East residents.

A key connection will be from Tanjong Rhu station in TEL4 to the existing Gardens by the Bay station in TEL3.

Image: Google Maps

Currently, while bus services like numbers 196 and 158 service areas near these two points, the journey between them takes almost an hour.

With TEL4’s new stations, we anticipate a significantly smoother and faster journey.

Imagine reducing travel time by almost fivefold.

It means finally leaving the car at home and opting for a faster train ride, without the hassle of finding downtown parking.

Read Also:  Korean Actress Reveals She Got Pregnant Through IVF with Ex-Husband's Child, He Did Not Consent

For the curious, here are the locations of the TEL stations for your reference.

Image: LTA
Image: LTA
Image: LTA
Image: LTA
Image: LTA
Image: LTA
Image: LTA

Not Going to Open Before CNY; Ensuring Rigorous Checks

In an interview with Acting Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, as reported by Shin Min Daily News, he mentioned the authorities’ aim to open the stations early, provided any arising issues are resolved.

Thus, it’s unlikely that the East-downtown connectivity will be available for the upcoming Chinese New Year.

As per the Straits Times, experts indicate that train testing typically takes three to six months.

Mr Chee stated that testing could take at least three months, depending on potential issues.

Recall that signalling problems delayed the TEL2 launch in 2021 by three months.

We hope for no further delays in TEL4, as it represents a crucial connection for East residents.

Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand: