The East-West Line (EWL) was closed between Bedok–Tampines and Tanah Merah–Expo from Saturday, 29 November 2025, to Monday, 8 December 2025. This was to facilitate modification works needed to integrate the EWL with the new East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID), and to operationalise the new train platform at Tanah Merah.
During this period, the EWL operated shuttle train services along certain sections, and shuttle bus services were offered along affected sections.
Initially planned as a 10-day closure from 29 November 2025 (Saturday) to 8 December 2025 (Monday), LTA announced on 7 December 2025 that normal EWL train services would resume on Monday, 8 December 2025, 1 day ahead of schedule.
| 10 Day Closure on East-West Line (Nov / Dec 2025) | |
| Affected Dates | Saturday 29 November 2025 – Sunday 7 December 2025 (9 days; early resumption) |
| Period of closure | Full Day |
| Affected sector | Bedok – Tampines & Tanah Merah – Expo |
| Reason |
|
| Alternative Transport | Shuttle 7: Bedok ↔ Tampines Shuttle 8: Bedok ↔ Expo Downtown Line |
According to the Land Transport Authority, the works spanned 4.8km in 12 locations, and required an uninterrupted closure window for workers to safely install new tracks, sleepers, and the third rail on the new eastbound and westbound tracks, as well as on the reception tracks leading to the ECID. This is followed by reinstatement of power cables and stringent testing of the signalling, power and communications systems.
Given the greater extent of work compared to last year, a longer period of service adjustment is needed.
LTA also mentioned that there will be one more planned service adjustment in the first half of 2026 to fully decommission the Changi Depot, which is currently serving the EWL, after train services are fully transferred.
Early resumption
On the afternoon of 7 December 2025, the LTA announced train service would resume on 8 December 2025, from the start of passenger service hours — one day ahead of schedule. [Link]
Affected MRT Stations
East West Line
- EW1 Pasir Ris
- EW2–DT32 Tampines
- EW3 Simei
- EW4CG Tanah Merah
- EW5 Bedok
- EW6 Kembangan
- EW7 Eunos
- EW8CC9 Paya Lebar
- CG1DT35 Expo
- CG2 Changi Airport
Affected Dates & Service Pattern
- Saturday 29 November 2025
- Sunday 30 November 2025
- Monday 1 December 2025
- Tuesday 2 December 2025
- Wednesday 3 December 2025
- Thursday 4 December 2025
- Friday 5 December 2025
- Saturday 6 December 2025
- Sunday 7 December 2025
Monday 8 December 2025[Cancelled]
On affected days;
- No Train Service between:
EW2–DT32 Tampines – EW5 Bedok &
EW4CG Tanah Merah – CG1DT35 Expo - Shuttle Train Services will operate between:
EW1 Pasir Ris – EW2–DT32 Tampines (5 min frequency during peak hours)
EW8CC9 Paya Lebar – EW5 Bedok (8 min frequency during peak hours)
CG1DT35 Expo – CG2 Changi Airport (5 min frequency during peak hours)
For the Paya Lebar–Bedok shuttle train, passengers at Kembangan and Bedok faced longer headways of 17 minutes during the off-peak hours (10am–5pm & 9pm–1am) of 4 and 5 December. According to LTA, this was needed to facilitate train testing at Bedok, where one platform was closed to facilitate train testing.
From ground observations during this period, the operation of two back-and-forth shuttle trains between Paya Lebar–Kembangan and Paya Lebar–Bedok, instead of both shuttle trains plying Paya Lebar–Bedok, therefore doubling the wait time for trains between Kembangan–Bedok to 17 minutes. This arrangement was observed to have been discontinued from 6 December.
- Longer wait times of up to 17 minutes at Bedok, Kembangan MRT stations as East-West Line works enter final phase – CNA
- Passengers at Kembangan, Bedok face longer waits for MRT trains as EWL track work enters last stage | The Straits Times
Train Service Arrangements at Tanah Merah
After the works were completed, train platforms at Tanah Merah MRT Station were renumbered starting on Monday, 8 December 2025.
Eastbound train services at Tanah Merah used the new Platform A, while the new Platform B and Platform C (formerly Platform A) will be closed for works.
ECID Commissioning Works
After the completion of works, EWL trains were able to be launched and withdrawn from the ECID starting on Monday, 8 December 2025.
Rail Replacement Services
Rail Replacement Services were offered on affected days. Shuttles 7 & 8 were operated throughout MRT operating hours.
Fares for the Shuttle Bus Services are equivalent to the distance travelled by train.
| Shuttle | Operating Dates | MRT Stations Served |
| Shuttle 7 | Sat 29 Nov 2025 –Mon 8 Dec 2025 | Bedok, Tanah Merah, Simei, Tampines |
| Shuttle 8 | Bedok, Tanah Merah, Expo |
- Special arrangement for Shuttle 7 to connect to the last train from Tampines to Pasir Ris (at 1:02 am):
At 00:35 daily, 2 last Shuttle 7 buses will depart Bedok –
1 direct bus to Tampines – to connect to the last train to Pasir Ris from Tampines at 01:02.
1 bus via Tanah Merah & Simei, arriving at Tampines at 01:09
Although normal train services resumed on 8 December 2025 from the start of passenger service hours, shuttle buses were still operated on the morning of 8 December 2025, withdrawing only after the morning peak period.
Gallery:
See Also:
- 4 Day Closure on East-West Line (Tanah Merah – Tampines) for Track Works
- Shortened Operating Hours for Rail Renewal Work
External Links & References:
- Train Service Adjustments on the East-West Line – Land Transport Authority [Accessed 3 Oct 2025]
- Joint News Release by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) & SMRT – Train Service Adjustments Along East-West Line from 29 November to 8 December 2025 to Facilitate Track Connection to the East Coast Integrated Depot and Operationalise New Platform at Tanah Merah MRT Station – Land Transport Authority [Accessed 3 Oct 2025]
- Service Announcement – Operations of Shuttle 7 and 8 during Train Service Adjustments along East-West Line – SMRT Corporation [Accessed 25 Nov 2025]
- LTA Facebook Reel [Accessed 4 Dec 2025]
- LTA Facebook Post [Accessed 7 Dec 2025]
If you really need to travel between Bedok, Tanah Merah, Simei & Tampines and want to bypass the shuttle buses, you can always rely on Service 38. It may not be so direct but at least, you do not have to queue for the shuttle bus.
For peoplet travel from west to east, cant it arrange shuttle bus service from.Paya Lebar for commuters to Bedok ? Its badly affecting our working routine.
Hopefully DTL doesnt suffer a breakdown during those 10 days otherwise jialat. DTL is definitely going to be super pack during those days especially during the weekdays peak hours, will DTL be able to cope the demand from the 6 Car EWL with its 3 Car? With the Long Frequency between Paya Lebar & Bedok Shuttle Trains, it would probably be better to take a bus or DTL from Bugis. TEL in this case should be better utilise and help out, like others stated, make a shuttle bus betweem Simei/Tanah Merah/Tampines to Example Marine Parade so people can take it to the city. So during those 10 days still want to take train to the city? Take the TEL, sure might take longer but u will have a seat and less crowd as that sector is usually never packed. Dont just rely on the DTL, use the TEL as well. LTA should really look into using the TEL help out during the 10 days closure to supplement the DTL & Buses. Keep in mind it will affect the weekdays too. Expect super crowded trains on the DTL during those days! Hopefully DTL can hold up those 10 days without breaking down otherwise…
Feels like a missed opportunity to tap on the TEL which can provide an alternative for some commuters. They can run the shuttle bus from Simei and Tanah Merah to Bayshore for instance rather than Bedok, utilising a fully functional TEL rather than connecting people to a handicapped EWL at Bedok. You built the line, use it!
There is already bus service 48 from TM station to Bayshore station. Shuttle service strictly ply the route of the affected MRT lines they are replacing.
Not sure why the shuttle train service between Pasir Ris & Tampines can’t be extended by 1 station to Simei, to allow commuters at Simei to transfer to the Downtown Line?
They closed Simei for last year’s closure also, and even that one Tanah Merah didn’t close. Simei is probably too close to the maintenance works to have trains run there.
Maybe it’s because there’s no switches to allow trains to do overrun turnaround?
“This is because the shuttle trains can only travel back and forth along the same track, instead of turning around as they do with regular services.” – Straits Times
The shuttle train will only use 1 set of tracks.
I mean, it’s possible to make shuttle trains run to Simei but due to lack of switches or whatever you call it, trains can’t turnaround and run to another track at Simei which will make the frequency lower
“This is because the shuttle trains can only travel back and forth along the same track, instead of turning around as they do with regular services.” – Straits Times
The shuttle train will only use 1 set of tracks.
“Commuters can also take shuttle trains running at five-minute intervals between Tampines and Pasir Ris stations and between Expo and Changi Airport stations, and those running every eight minutes between Paya Lebar and Bedok stations.” – Straits Times
If Paya Lebar – Bedok can have a lower frequency, Simei – Pasr Ris can have a lower frequency too.
The 3 last trains to Pasir Ris, as well as 4th last train to Pasir Ris and 2 last trains (Changi Airport Line) on 28 Nov 2025 will be converted to shuttle train instead.
The remaining two to three trains may be converted to Paya Lebar – Bedok Shuttle.
Perhaps because they need to cut the third rail electricity and Simei is in the same electric section so they have to cut it all?
If it’s not, it’s possible to run from Pasir Ris to Simei with two tracks running at the same time but they’re going to run as a single line configuration with lower frequency.
Also, shuttle trains from Payar Lebar to Bedok will be running in double track for sure because normal timetable references that trains run 8 minutes from Payar Lebar to Bedok.
Crossovers*
Just take bus and DTL. There are some DTL stations near to Simei MRT station. Google Maps can help to provide directions.
Your point is noted but shouldn’t more thought be given on providing greater options.