Crowds Gather to Ride Third Stage of Thomson-East Coast Line on Opening Day

The third stage of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) opened for passenger service on Sunday, Nov. 13, linking Woodlands North to the city centre and Gardens by the Bay. The highly anticipated launch drew large crowds eager to experience the new extension.

Two days prior, on Friday, 500,000 commuters were offered a preview of the new line with free rides along its 11 newly opened stations: Stevens, Napier, Orchard Boulevard, Orchard, Great World, Havelock, Outram Park, Maxwell, Shenton Way, Marina Bay, and Gardens by the Bay. Several of these stations also connect to other MRT lines, increasing accessibility and convenience for daily commuters.

Stevens station links to the Downtown Line, Orchard to the North-South Line, Outram Park to the East-West and North-East lines, and Marina Bay connects to the Circle and North-South lines.

Looking ahead, 10 more stations are planned to open in 2024 and 2025, eventually extending the line from the Founders’ Memorial to Sungei Bedok. When fully completed, the TEL will offer more than 240,000 households a convenient 10-minute walk to the nearest station.

More time for family Among those riding the TEL on opening day were Admiralty residents Sok Ee and Chunhui. They expressed optimism that the new line will significantly reduce their commute time. Chunhui, who works in Outram Park, previously had to change lines, but now hopes to enjoy a more seamless journey on the TEL. His wife, Sok Ee, who works in Orchard, also looked forward to quicker travel times, making it easier for her to visit recreational spots.

“The line connects to many places I want to go,” Sok Ee said, highlighting how the TEL’s access to Gardens by the Bay will make outings with their children much easier and less tiring, as the need to switch between lines is reduced.

Reconnecting with the city For Woodlands residents Celine Loh and her husband, the new line reconnects them with areas they’ve long enjoyed, such as Great World City. Working in the Central Business District (CBD), Celine said she’s eager to explore the city around Shenton Way station.

Her husband added that the TEL’s improved connectivity will create more opportunities for work-life balance, as less time commuting will mean more time spent with family and exploring the city’s many attractions.

TEL’s fifth anniversary The opening of the third stage of the TEL also coincided with the fifth anniversary of the line’s launch. It has been 35 years since the first MRT line—the North-South line—began operations in 1987.

To mark the occasion, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, along with fellow Sembawang GRC MPs Vikram Nair and Poh Li San, joined 100 residents on a special tour of the new TEL segment, traveling from Woodlands South to Maxwell station. Organized by grassroots leaders, the excursion also included a visit to the URA Centre, along with a celebratory cake-cutting ceremony.

Minister Ong applauded the efforts of the Land Transport Authority, SMRT, and the Ministry of Transport for their work on the TEL’s development. During the tour, Ong engaged with residents and passengers, sharing in the excitement of the new line.

Top photos via Mothership.