21 June 2024 - A view of our small exhibit at the Friends of Land Transport booth at Marine Parade station during the TEL4 Preview event.
The Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL)'s fourth phase was off to a roaring start this Friday with 9 hours of free rides during the preview event. Visitors to the event got to experience riding the trains on the line for free, while exploring the 7 stations stretching from Tanjong Rhu to Bayshore. Trains operated on an isolated loop along the stretch with trains terminating at Platform A at both termini. A separate shuttle train linked the TEL4's Tanjong Rhu station with TEL3's Garden by the Bay at both station's Platform B. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) really did go all out to make the event possible and accessible for everyone.
Before we jump in to the nitty gritty of the line section, here are some images that might help with planning your trips along the new section.
21 June 2024 - Full route estimated timings from Bayshore station.
21 June 2024 - First & Last train timings from Siglap station.
21 June 2024 - First & Last train timings from Marine Terrace station.
21 June 2024 - First & Last train timings from Marine Parade station.
The team visited several of the stations along the line on the evening of the preview event - from Katong Park to Bayshore. Unfortunately due to time constraints, we had to give Tanjong Rhu a miss but will be back to check the station out at a later date once it opens officially.
One thing that we noted during the preview event though, was that the trains travelled along the stretch rather slowly. Even on the straight sections - notably between Marine Parade and Marine Terrace stations. Here are some videos we took where you can see the travel speed for yourself.
Along other sections, the trains were excessively noisy - a common complaint about the TEL trains. If one were having a conversation, one would have to yell or raise one's voice simply to be heard. You'll notice in the video between Tanjong Katong and Katong Park stations, the announcement gets a bit drowned out around the 0:19 mark.
That said, once the trains filled up a bit more, the noise tended to abate a little. Perhaps drowned out by the chatter from commuters or perhaps sound absorbed by the different bodies within the train cars. Nonetheless, if loud sounds tend to bother you, it may be wise to bring along some earphones or headphones to plug in to some music.
During the preview event, the LTA kindly allowed us to put up a small exhibit on our blog and social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube). In case you missed our exhibit that was part of the Friends of Land Transport (FoLT) booth, here's our exhibit for your easy viewing.
21 June 2024 - SGMC's exhibit at the FoLT booth.
Do note that even if you missed the Preview event, our contest is still open for entry. All you have to do is re-create one of the 12 shortlisted Artist Impressions (also called Renders) and submit them to us on Instagram or Facebook by 30 June 2024, 2359h. We'll post your entry on our social media channels and the top 3 most liked entries will win a prize. Additionally, there are 2 other categories where the panel ranks the entries and the top ranked in each category wins. More details can be found here.
Meanwhile, here are some images from the preview event as the team explored the different stations. We hope that you enjoyed the Preview event and will participate in the TEL4 Render vs Reality contest even if you didn't attend.
TE24 - Katong Park
21 June 2024 - A view of Platform B of the station at the lower level.
21 June 2024 - A view of visitors onboard the train at Platform A on the upper level as it prepares to depart.
21 June 2024 - The lifts in the station are centrally located, offering a good view within.
21 June 2024 - It is typically rare to be able to see natural sunlight in an underground station. The architects & engineers that enabled this to happen here are truly talented.
21 June 2024 - The strip lighting at the station's platforms was an interesting design feature.
21 June 2024 - A view of one of the station's skylights.
21 June 2024 - The natural light is a beauty to behold.
21 June 2024 - Did anyone else spot this easter egg too?
TE25 - Tanjong Katong
21 June 2024 - A view of the 4 parallel escalators from the concourse level to the platforms.
21 June 2024 - Passing underneath the main skylight of the station, outside Exit 2.
21 June 2024 - A view of the upper platform for Changi-bound trains towards Bayshore/Sungei Bedok.
21 June 2024 - Escalators towards Platform B continue further down.
21 June 2024 - Platform B was surprisingly wide.
21 June 2024 - Another view of Platform B.
TE26 - Marine Parade
21 June 2024 - A view of the crowds waiting for the trains during the preview event.
21 June 2024
21 June 2024 - A distinctive design feature of the station is the large X lighting patterns in the ceiling.
21 June 2024 - Both signs point towards Woodlands North. What about towards Bayshore?
21 June 2024 - The underground bicycle parking facility at Marine Parade station. Visitors here were busy counting the number of bicycle racks, presumably to enter into one of the LTA contests. A knock out panel is supposed to be located along one of the walls here.
21 June 2024 - Another knock out panel is supposed to be located along one of the walls parallel to the green lines on the floor.
21 June 2024 - A unit within labelled "Bicycle Kiosk" may enable bicycle rentals from here. Fitting for last-mile transport options to East Coast Park from the station. However, if that were the intent, then the bicycle elevators might be located on the wrong side of the station.
21 June 2024 - SGMC's exhibition panel at the station.
21 June 2024
21 June 2024 - Marine Parade was undoubtedly one of the busiest stations during the preview event.
TE27 - Marine Terrace
21 June 2024 - A view towards the platforms from an escalator.
21 June 2024 - It was interesting to see "missing" ceiling panels that may actually be part of the station's design.
21 June 2024 - Exit 5 afforded an interesting & stunning perspective.
21 June 2024
21 June 2024 - A view of the station's platform from the concourse.
21 June 2024 - Roller shutters separate the station from the 24-hour underpass that replaces the former pedestrian overhead bridges crossing Marine Parade Road.
21 June 2024 - A view of the underground bicycle parking facility at Marine Terrace station.
21 June 2024 - Another view of the bicycle racks at the station.
21 June 2024 - A shop unit for the "bicycle kiosk".
21 June 2024 - Similar facilities should be available at Keppel station on the Circle Line 6 project.
21 June 2024 - According to SMRT staff, overnight parking is not permitted. However this notice does not mention this.
TE28 - Siglap
21 June 2024 - A view of the station platform from the middle.
21 June 2024 - A view of the station platform from an escalator ascending to the concourse level.
21 June 2024 - Part of the station's civil defence blast doors were opened for the public to learn more about such features built into MRT stations.
21 June 2024 - A mosaic art piece greets commuters at the escalator landing for Exit 1.
TE29 - Bayshore
21 June 2024 - Early visitors at the station's platform shortly after the preview event opened.
21 June 2024 - A view of Bayshore station's platform level in the evening.
21 June 2024 - Another view of the station's platform from the concourse level.
21 June 2024 - Paneling at the station.
21 June 2024 - The corridors to Exits 4 and 5 were noticeably emptier as these open up to vacant land at the moment.
21 June 2024 - A long empty corridor between the two exits.
21 June 2024 - A knock out panel may exist behind the shutters to connect with future developments in the Bayshore district when the estate is developed further.
The event was a great opportunity to familiarise one's self with the 7 stations along the stretch. For many residents along Marine Parade Road, the arrival of the MRT from Sunday is a long-awaited dream. Some even thought that they might never have seen it happen in their lifetime. But here the TEL is, now ready for commuters and set to change the landscape of the East Coast for years to come. We hope you enjoyed the TEL4 Preview.
This post will also be available on Instagram & Facebook on 22 June 2024.
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