Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has confirmed that it is to build a 43km rail line to connect the north, south and east parts of the island. The line, which will have 31 stations, is due to be finished by 2024.Â
This Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) will be formed from the merger of two LTA projects that are currently under way: the Eastern Region Line, which will consist of nine stations and run along the east of Singapore, and the 22-station Thomson Line, which runs from north to south.Â
The TEL is expected to accommodate half a million commuters a day when the first phase opens, although it will have a maximum capacity of up to a million when it is completed, according to the LTA.Â
Lui Tuck Yew, Singapore’s minister for transport, said: "A single line, instead of two separate lines, will allow us to reap economies of scale and operational efficiencies from having common systems and trains."
Journey time saved by using the Thomson-East Coast Line (http://www.todayonline.com)
The line is a fully automatic, driverless system, and is completely underground. It will open in five stages from 2019 onwards.
Construction on the East Coast Line is to start in 2016, with seven stations due to be completed by 2023 and to be fully operational the year after.
The new line is to provide a connection for commuters living in the eastern parts of Singapore who are currently not directly served by the rail network.