SINGAPORE – Regular train services on the East-West Line (EWL) in Singapore will resume on Monday, December 8, a day ahead of the initial schedule, after track-connection work concluded earlier than expected. The closure, which began on November 29, had suspended service between Bedok MRT station and Tampines MRT station, as well as between Tanah Merah MRT station and Expo MRT station.
The break was required to connect the EWL to a new facility — the East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID) — and to bring a newly built platform at Tanah Merah station online as part of broader infrastructure upgrades. In a statement, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said that “comprehensive testing, including safety and ultrasonic checks on the tracks, power supply, and train signalling systems” has been completed ahead of schedule.
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From Monday, services will resume from the start of passenger operating hours. A notable change with the restart: eastbound EWL trains at Tanah Merah heading toward Pasir Ris MRT station will now depart from a newly commissioned Platform A, replacing the previous cross-platform transfer setup. As a result, passengers transferring between Changi Airport/Expo and eastbound trains will need to walk down to the station concourse and then ascend to the new platform. Westbound journeys toward Tuas Link MRT station remain unaffected.
The connection of the ECID is a significant development — once fully operational (expected in 2026), the depot will serve the EWL, the future Thomson-East Coast Line and Downtown Line, as well as a bus depot, enhancing the resilience and flexibility of Singapore’s rail network.
For commuters, the early reopening should ease travel disruptions sooner than anticipated. Given the new platform arrangement at Tanah Merah, passengers are encouraged to check travel routes carefully — especially if their journey involves transferring to or from Changi Airport or Expo.
