Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures – MRT & LRT Early Closures & Reduced Frequencies

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) adjusted train service operations from Friday, 17 April 2020 to 1 June 2020 as a result of a decline in rail ridership during the COVID-19 circuit breaker period.

These train service adjustments involve daily Early Closures for all MRT & LRT Lines, as well as a reduction in train frequencies.

Refer to the Main Article (Transport Arrangements for the Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures) for Bus Service Suspensions, and enhanced safe distancing due to the Singapore COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures.

Reduction in Train Service Frequency

MRT Lines

MRT train service frequency across the rail network would be reduced from 17 April 2020 till 1 June 2020.

On Friday, 17 April 2020, the reduced train frequencies “caused some crowding in some stretches” during the “usual morning peak hours” along the North South Line, East West Line as well as the Circle Line, according to a Facebook post by Transport Minister Mr Khaw Boon Wan.

In the Facebook post, he also shared that train frequencies for the Circuit Breaker period would be further “refined” by LTA effective Monday, 21 April 2020. Train frequency was increased to every 3 minutes during peak hours.

https://www.facebook.com/ministerkhawboonwan/photos/a.436446466414579/3037385696320630/?type=3

LRT Lines

During off-peak hours in the Circuit Breaker period from 17 April 2020, train service on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT line will only operate a single loop service.

Note: In the LTA press release Annex, the last train departing from Punggol on the LRT East Loop is stated towards Damai (in the Cove > Damai direction). However, actual off-peak East Loop single loop service is in the Damai > Cove direction.

Bukit Panjang LRT services will continue to operate as per normal, with Service A (via Senja) only operating during weekday peak hours since 1 December 2019 as part of the Bukit Panjang LRT Overhaul.

MRT & LRT Daily Early Closure

Daily Early Closure across the rail network was implemented from Friday, 17 April 2020 until Monday, 1 June 2020, the end of the circuit breaker period.

There would be no change to the timing of the last train service for the Bukit Panjang LRT at 11:30pm as part of the Bukit Panjang LRT Overhaul implemented since 13 January 2019.

Thomson-East Coast Line Early Closure & Late Opening

During the circuit breaker period, Early Closure & Late Opening will be implemented for the Thomson-East Coast Line between TE1 Woodlands North and TE3 Woodlands South.

Train Service will commence at about 6:30am and end at about 8:00pm.

This arrangement thus supersedes the original Early Closure & Late Opening planned on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays between 3 April – 26 July 2020.

Cancellation of Early Closure for Rail Renewal Work

All planned Early Closures for rail renewal work were cancelled during the circuit breaker period. Last train timings were adjusted as per the above table.

For April 2020, Planned Early Closures for the East West Line between Tanah Merah—Aljunied were cancelled. The first round of Early Closure held before the start of the circuit breaker period took place.

For May and June 2020, all Planned Early Closure for the North South & East West Line between Choa Chu Kang—Jurong East and Buona Vista—Boon Lay were cancelled.

Reference

• Changes to Public Bus and Train Operating Hours and Frequency – LTA Press Release