TEL Stage 4 from Tanjong Rhu to Bayshore to open for passenger service on June 23
The opening of Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) Stage 4, stretching from Tanjong Rhu to Bayshore, has been announced for June 23, as stated by Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat on March 5. The 10.8km stretch includes seven new MRT stations: Tanjong Rhu, Katong Park, Tanjong Katong, Marine Parade, Marine Terrace, Siglap, and Bayshore. To familiarize passengers with the new stations, a preview will be held on June 21 from 10 am to 9 pm.
With the addition of TEL Stage 4, approximately 235,000 households will be within a 10-minute walk of a TEL station. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) emphasized that commuters can save up to 50% of traveling time by using the MRT line. For example, a Marine Parade resident will take 20 minutes to reach Shenton Way on the TEL, compared to the current 40 minutes by bus and train.
After the official opening, trains on TEL Stage 4 will arrive every three minutes during peak hours and six minutes during non-peak hours. This expansion brings Singapore’s rail network to over 210km, with a government target to reach around 360km by the 2030s.
In addition, the Rail Reliability and Performance Incentive has been introduced between 2024 and 2028, providing incentives for rail operators to maintain high reliability standards, invest in workers, and improve labor productivity.
Further developments include the completion of several MRT stations in 2026, such as Bedok South, Sungei Bedok, and the Xilin station on a Downtown Line extension. The East Coast Integrated Depot for trains and buses, featuring connecting tunnels to TEL and DTL, is also expected to be ready by 2026.
Despite some delays attributed to construction challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore continues to invest in enhancing its public transportation infrastructure to meet the growing needs of its residents.
