Monday, August 12, 2019

Changi Airport branch line takeover

With the release of the Land Transport Master Plan for 2040, the Land Transport Authority officially unveiled that the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) will take over the existing Changi Airport branch line of the East West Line (EWL). As part of the take over, conversion works will need to be done to the existing Changi Airport, Expo & Tanah Merah stations to accommodate the TEL rolling stock's differing dimensions. The current rolling stock used on the EWL features 6-car trains with 4-doorways per side. However, the TEL stock features 4-cars with 5-doorways per side. As such, the platform screen doors and gates will require retrofitting in order for the doorways to align properly.

The works will take some time, with the line take over likely coinciding with the on-going works at Tanah Merah station and the Expo-junction with the existing Changi depot and upcoming East Coast integrated depot.