Kids, this is your future… slowly unfolding before your eyes. And not only for the kids, but for all benefactors, commuting should now be easier – and better. With the interlinking done, there is no need to round the loop, but taking the shortcut will help a lot!
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They are Marymount, Bishan, Lorong Chuan, Serangoon and Bartley
Neo Chai Chin, chaichin@mediacorp.com.sg
DPM Teo Chee Hean (centre) with LTA's chief executive Yam Ah Mee (left) and group director (Circle and Downtown Line) Sim Wee Meng yesterday. Wee Teck Hian
FIVE Circle Line (CCL) MRT stations throw open their turnstiles today to fare-paying commuters, and operator SMRT is quietly confident that operations will go smoothly, thanks to trial runs that started in March.
The five stations — Marymount, Bishan, Lorong Chuan, Serangoon and Bartley — are expected to cater to 55,000 passengers daily.
Operations control centre staff are "familiar with the systems and ready for revenue service", said an SMRT spokesperson. SMRT will also donate takings from the CCL's first 22 days of service to its Silver Tribute Fund for the elderly, said president and chief executive Saw Phaik Hwa at its official opening yesterday.
Ms Saw expects $400,000 to $500,000 to be raised. The opening is the "biggest event" since SMRT started with the opening of the East West and North South lines 22 years ago.
The 5.7-km segment of the CCL will be a boon for residents like Mr Ng Kim Eng, 62. The grassroots leader said Braddell Heights residents can now get to Bishan Junction 8 in four minutes — a quarter of the time it took by bus previously.
When the remaining 24 stations of the CCL open from next year on, up to half a million commuters will benefit, said guest of honour and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.
Giving an update of the CCL's progress, the Land Transport Authority said tunnelling of the 33.3km line is 98 per cent done. Six stations have received Temporary Occupation Permits, 10 are undergoing architectural, electrical and mechanical works, and two — West Coast and Labrador Park — are in the excavation stage.
SMRT's staff uniforms — timed to coincide with the CCL opening — have also been changed to red and black as part of a periodic renewal.
From TODAYOnline.com, Singapore News – Thursday, 28-May-2009; see the source article here.
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