Marina Bay, Bayfront stations open

The move will not only reduce crowding and waiting time for bus commuters, but also provide relief to rail commuters while waiting for new train lines to be built and for new trains to arrive. 

Plans to significantly ramp up the capacity of buses, including expanding their numbers and 

frequency, will be announced in the coming months.

Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said on Friday that the issues regarding the bus network are complex because the Government needs to look into how it can help the two operators grow their fleets and pool of drivers sustainably.

He was speaking to guests at the opening of two new stations on the Circle Line, Marina Bay and Bayfront.

The stations go into operation today, extending from the existing Promenade station and adding 2.4km of track to the Circle Line.

Mr Lui, who toured them on Friday, said their opening would improve the commute for those who live and work in the area.

He added that the new stations would also be a boon for visitors heading to Marina Bay for shopping, dining, entertainment or sightseeing.

Marina Bay station, with two entrances, will be an interchange between the Circle and the North-South lines.

Trains will run at a frequency of 3-1/2 minutes during peak periods and seven minutes during the off-peak.

Bayfront, with five entrances, will give commuters access to the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) integrated resort, the upcoming Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay Financial Centre.

Before this station opened, those going to these destinations by train had to get off at Promenade station, about 750m away from MBS, and take a bus or walk.

Mr Lui said that aside from the two major train disruptions recently, last year chalked up a number of transport milestones.

These included the opening of 12 stations of the Circle Line from Caldecott to HarbourFront in October, and the opening of a new train platform at the Jurong East station in May.

Next year, train commuters can look forward to the opening of the first phase of the Downtown Line from Bugis to Chinatown. This line will add another station to the Marina Bay area.

'It will bring us even closer to achieving our overall goal of having an MRT station within 400m on average - or a roughly five-minute walk - for all who live or work in the city and those who travel to the area for leisure,' he said.

He also gave out prizes to the winners of a competition held by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to draw out creative ideas for features at bus stops or MRT stations that would help to improve a commute.

The winning ones, picked from 667 entries, suggested:

• A phone application to inform commuters of train arrivals and disruptions;
• Panels with information on places of interest and eateries around stations;
• Information at all bus stops to direct commuters to the nearest MRT station.