Train Service Adjustments along Thomson-East Coast Line and Downtown Line to Facilitate Rail Expansion Works
Joint News Release Issued by Land Transport Authority, SBS Transit, and SMRT
28 April 2026 – In the lead up to the opening of Stage 5 of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) and the extension of the Downtown Line (DTL), train services along the TEL and DTL will be adjusted on weekends from 22 May to 4 July and 10 July to 5 September 2026 respectively to facilitate the integration of new line segments into the existing network. To minimise inconvenience to commuters, alternative travel options will be provided during these service adjustment periods.
Prior to the opening of TEL Stage 5 (TEL5) and the DTL extension in the second half of 2026, LTA, together with the respective rail operators, will conduct a series of final systems integration tests for both the TEL and DTL. These tests involve running trains across the entire line from TEL Woodlands North to Sungei Bedok stations, and from DTL Bukit Panjang to Xilin stations, as well as launching and withdrawing trains from the new East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID) for both lines. Longer stretches of engineering hours beyond what is available each night will be required to carry out these full test runs. Service adjustments are thus necessary.
Train service adjustments along TEL from 22 May to 4 July (Friday & Saturdays)
From 22 May to 4 July 2026, services on the TEL will end earlier at 11.30pm on Friday nights and commence later at 8.30am on Saturday mornings. To maintain connectivity, three shuttle bus services will be provided for commuters affected by the late opening on Saturday mornings. These shuttle bus services will connect at key MRT interchanges, to enable commuters switching to other alternative rail lines.
- Shuttle bus service S51 will ply between TEL Woodlands North and TEL Caldecott stations at a frequency of about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Shuttle bus service S52 will ply between TEL Caldecott and TEL Marina Bay stations at a frequency of about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Shuttle bus service S53 will ply between TEL Marina Bay and TEL Bayshore stations at a frequency of about 10 minutes.
Train service adjustments along DTL from 10 July to 5 September (Friday & Saturdays)
From 10 July to 5 September 2026, services on the DTL will similarly end earlier at 11.30pm on Friday nights and commence later at 8.30am on Saturday mornings. We will also provide three shuttle bus services for commuters affected by the late openings on Saturday mornings, with connections at Bugis and Macpherson MRT Interchanges.
- Shuttle bus service S43 will ply between DTL Bukit Panjang and DTL Bugis stations at a frequency of about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Shuttle bus service S42 will ply between DTL Bugis and DTL Macpherson stations at a frequency of about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Shuttle bus service S41 will ply between DTL Macpherson and DTL Expo stations at a frequency of about 5 to 10 minutes.
Please refer to ANNEX A for the TEL service adjustments and shuttle bus arrangements, and ANNEX B for the DTL service adjustments and shuttle bus details. Besides these shuttle bus services, commuters are also encouraged to use existing public bus services and alternative MRT lines to complete their journeys.
Alternative travel options and assistance
Commuters are advised to plan their journeys in advance and check LTA’s MyTransport.SG mobile app, as well as LTA, SMRT and SBS Transit’s social media channels for the latest updates. Staff will be stationed at affected stations to assist commuters during the service adjustment periods. Commuters can also refer to station posters at the relevant stations. We thank commuters for their patience and understanding during these service adjustments as we work to expand our rail network.
Annex A – [TEL] Details of Train Service Adjustments and Shuttle Bus Services
Annex B – [DTL] Details of Train Service Adjustments and Shuttle Bus Services