Sentosa Express

  Sentosa Express  
Sentosa Express station platform
Sentosa Express station platform
Type Straddle-beam Monorail
Station Count 4
Line length 2.1 km
Operational Data
Operator Sentosa Development Corporation
Strides Engineering (Upcoming Operator)
Rolling stock Hitachi small-type monorail
Electrification 750 V DC third rail
Opened 15 Jan 2007

The Sentosa Express is a straddle-beam monorail line connecting HarbourFront on the Singapore mainland to Sentosa Island.

Privately owned and operated by the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), the line brings major attractions in Sentosa Island within convenient reach of HarbourFront, a transport node connecting with  NE1  CC29  HarbourFront MRT Station. At Waterfront and Beach stations, Sentosa bus services bring commuters to other parts of the island.

The line is fully elevated, 2.1-kilometres long, with 4 stations. A full journey takes roughly 8 minutes. Rolling stock is provided by Hitachi and based out of a small depot near Beach station.

SDC intends to outsource the operations and maintenance of the Sentosa Express monorail system from 1 March 2024, with an open tender called in September 2022. The tender was awarded to Strides Engineering Pte Ltd on 15 September 2023. The contract would last for 12 years with an option of 4 years.

History

Construction began in June 2003 and was completed in December 2006, at a cost of S$140 million. The line started operations on 15 January 2007 with the exception of Waterfront station. In 2008, the unopened station was dismantled and rebuilt to accommodate large crowds expected after the Resorts World Sentosa Integrated Resort opened. Waterfront station eventually opened on 1 February 2010.

The Sentosa Express replaces the older Sentosa Monorail system, which opened in 1982 and operated a unidirectional, counter-clockwise loop through seven stations located around the western half of the island. It closed on March 16 2005.

Train Services

The Sentosa Express operates bi-directional services along a single line from VivoCity to Beach station. Trains travel on the left, similar to right-hand-drive traffic flow in Singapore.

Stations

Each station of the Sentosa Express is colour-coded for easy recognition. All stations are equipped with lifts for disabled access.  S1  VivoCity station connects to  NE1  CC29  HarbourFront MRT Station.

Fares

The Sentosa Express charges a S$4 fare upon entry at VivoCity station (at HarbourFront). Thereafter, rides within Sentosa island and outbound rides exiting at VivoCity station are free of charge for all commuters, regardless if they have entered Sentosa island using the Sentosa Express.

A contactless card called the Sentosa Pass can be purchased at VivoCity station for S$4, allowing entry into Sentosa island via the monorail. Payment can be made using cash, NETS or major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, AMEX and JCB). Alternatively, visitors can use their CEPAS cards at the fare gantries of VivoCity station, where the S$4 fare will be deducted.

With effect from 1 October 2018, admission fees are S$2 per person for selected Concession card holders below:

  • Senior Citizens Concession Card
  • Persons With Disabilities Concession Card
  • Workfare Transport Concession Card
  • Primary, Secondary, Junior College and ITE Student Concession Cards

In addition, Child Concession Card holders or children below 0.9m tall and accompanied by an adult enjoy free entry.

Sentosa Islander membership cardholders have unlimited rides on the Sentosa Express for the duration of their validity.

Rolling Stock

The Sentosa Express operates on the Hitachi small-type monorail rolling stock, operating in a two-car formation with an operator’s cab at each end. Cars are permanently coupled with a gangway connection in between.

Seven trains are in service, each painted in a different colour scheme: Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink and Yellow. All trains are based out of the Sentosa Express depot next to Beach station, which also stables maintenance vehicles.

Early Closure (2016-2017)
Sentosa Express Replacement Bus
Sentosa Express Replacement Bus

Due to signalling upgrading works, the Sentosa Express’ operating hours were shortened between Mondays and Thursdays from 1 May 2016 to 31 December 2016 and 3 Jan 2017 to 30 Nov 2017, with the last trains departing Sentosa and Beach stations at 10 pm, two hours early.

A free shuttle bus service was put in place, running from 10 pm to midnight at 15-minute intervals.

Station Renaming

Sentosa and Waterfront stations were renamed to VivoCity and Resorts World stations respectively from 1 April 2019. The name change was done to better reflect the nature of nearby developments.


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