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| A map of the Tanah Merah station, with exits renumbered following the station upgrade. |
You've probably heard all about it by now - East-West Line (EWL), no service, 29th November to 8th December, shuttle buses, alternative routes. Another round of track work modifications are here, to enable the expansion of Tanah Merah station. We're here to repeat most of the information again, but also to add on what may be happening to the best of our knowledge and update the status of works before the big shut down.
Alternate service patterns for East-West Line
Section A - Between Tuas Link/Joo Koon & Paya Lebar
Eastbound trains will terminate at Paya Lebar instead of Pasir Ris.
Westbound trains continue to either Tuas Link or Joo Koon as normal.
Frequencies on this section will be similar to regular service.
Section B - Between Paya Lebar & Bedok (Shuttle trains)
Trains will shuttle between Paya Lebar & Bedok stations, stopping at Eunos & Kembangan en route. This means that passengers at these 4 station will board trains at either platform A or B, depending whether the train is westbound (to Paya Lebar) or eastbound (to Bedok). Single trains will operate on either track.
Frequency on this section is expected to be around 8 minutes.
Section C - Between Tampines & Pasir Ris (shuttle train)
Trains will shuttle between Tampines & Pasir Ris stations, there are no intermediate stops.
Frequency on this section is expected to be around 5 minutes.
Section D - Between Expo & Changi Airport (shuttle train)
Trains will shuttle between Expo & Changi Airport stations, there are no intermediate stops.
Frequency on this section is expected to be around 5 minutes.
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| 27 November 2025 - Directional signage to boarding point for Shuttles 7 & 8 towards Bedok at Exit A in place ahead of the upcoming service pattern change. |
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| 27 November 2025 - Marquee tentage has been set up for shuttle service drop off & pick up near Exit A. |
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| 27 November 2025 - Directional signage at Exit B for bus shuttle services. |
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| 27 November 2025 - Marquee tentage has been set up to offer weather protection for the bus shuttle services. |
No service - Between Bedok & Tampines and between Tanah Merah & Expo
Train service will not operate between Bedok and Tampines/Expo stations. Services will be replaced by looping bus shuttle services, details below.
Looping replacement bus 7 - Between Bedok & Tampines stations
This replacement bus service loops between Bedok & Tampines stations, stopping at Tanah Merah & Simei stations en route.
Frequency of this service is anticipated to be between 3 to 5 minutes.
Looping replacement bus 8 - Between Bedok & Expo stations
This replacement bus service loops between Bedok & Expo stations, stopping at Tanah Merah station en route.
Frequency of this service is anticipated to be around 10 minutes.
Other MRT lines
Commuters may also use alternate lines to reach destinations during the track works period, with the Downtown Line connecting eastern stations with other points westwards.
Work progress & Upcoming works explained
Now that we have covered the service changes, let's move on to the work status & progress thus far. We'll also cover what works will be taking place during this track works closure.
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| 27 November 2025 - A view of the Tanah Merah station with new platform and additional viaducts visible. |
Connecting the new platform
To allow eastbound trains to access the newly added platform, track connection works will need to be completed on either side of the platform. This allows trains to cross from the existing viaducts onto the new eastbound viaduct serving the new platform. A similar connection on the other side will allow trains to rejoin the existing main line tracks.
This transfer of tracks and platform will allow the existing platform used for eastbound trains to be freed up to be used by the Changi Airport Line (CAL), in future the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) once extended via Changi Terminal 5. The existing CAL's frequency is limited as access to and from Tanah Merah station is constrained by the availability of a single track to serve trains travelling in both directions. Thus, this transfer of tracks and platform will allow for reconfiguration works to allow the CAL/TEL to use 2 viaducts & platforms for higher frequency service at Tanah Merah.
It is likely that a turnout switch will be installed to allow for a crossover connecting to the westbound track to be installed at a later date. Information that we have seen thus far indicates that the CAL/TEL tracks may be disconnected from those of the EWL as the lines run on different signaling control systems. This remains to be seen if such a disconnection will be implemented eventually.
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| Brief representation of works for the Eastbound tracks. |
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| The likely layout for Eastbound tracks post works. |
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| A cross section view of the reconfigured platform layouts. Source: LTA |
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| 27 November 2025 - An aerial view of the new viaduct bed prepared for track works, adjacent to the existing eastbound main line track. A turn out switch is likely to be installed here, allowing eastbound trains to access the new platform. |
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| 27 November 2025 - A view of the new platform, with noise barriers fully installed. |
New westbound viaduct
As the CAL was originally a branch of the EWL, a section of westbound track merges with that of the EWL before approaching Tanah Merah station. With the future intent to transfer the CAL and merge it into the TEL instead, this presents a conflict that requires segregation.
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| Brief representation of track works for Westbound tracks. |
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| The likely layout of Westbound tracks after works. |
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| 27 November 2025 - The connection point for the new westbound track. There is a noticeable absence of ballast from the interface zone. |
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| 27 November 2025 |
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| 27 November 2025 - The existing extent of the new tracks laid ahead of the connection of the new westbound track with the existing westbound mainline. |
Exit 3 (will not open yet)
With works still ongoing for the two exits connecting to the new eastern concourse, it is unlikely that the exits will open come 9 December 2025. This is supported by the visible signs at the new platform level, which initially showed all 4 exit numbers. However, more recently, only Exits 1 and 2 have been seen indicated on the boards.
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| 17 November 2025 - A view of signage installed at the new eastbound platform showing Exits 1 to 4. The orientation was later switched and Exits 3 & 4 covered up. |
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| 27 November 2025 - Signage at the new platform showing renumbered Exits A & B. |
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| 27 November 2025 - A view of Exit 3 with external facade works underway. |
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| 27 November 2025 - Work still ongoing for Exit 3, with covered linkway being installed. |
Based on signage seen within the station ahead of its shutdown for upgrading works, Exits A & B will be renumbered 1 and 2 respectively. All current signage is still in place, with these works to renumber likely to take place during the shutdown come 29th November.
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| 27 November 2025 - Existing station name signage at Exit A. |
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| 27 November 2025 - Existing station name signage at Exit B. |
The existing westbound platform is being fitted out with more passenger information displays. A total of 4 such displays will adorn the existing platform, allowing passengers to view information more easily.
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| 27 November 2025 - A view of the new passenger information screens being added to the existing westbound platform. These screens can be easily spotted as they do not hang from the existing utility service boom, unlike the existing screen. |
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