MRT service on Circle Line to start earlier on Oct 11 and Nov 22

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  Automotive and Transportation on Tue, Oct 21st, 2025 by The Straits Times

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has confirmed that the Circle Line will begin operating earlier on two key dates – 11 October and 22 November – as part of the rollout of its Phase 3 extension. The early openings will see two new stations on the line – Yishun and Tampines – come into service ahead of the full line extension, allowing commuters to benefit from the expanded network sooner.

Phase 3 Extension: What the new stations bring

The Circle Line’s Phase 3 extension is a 10‑kilometre project that adds two stations to the existing 28‑station loop. Yishun will serve the north‑western suburbs, providing a new interchange with the North‑South line, while Tampines will connect the Circle Line with the East‑West line at the eastern terminus. The new interchanges are expected to reduce travel times for commuters travelling from the North‑South line to the eastern corridor by up to 12 minutes and will add an estimated 80,000 extra trips per day.

In a LTA briefing, Transportation Minister Lai Hsien Loong said the extension will “further strengthen the resilience of the MRT network and bring better connectivity to communities that have long relied on the bus network.” He noted that the Yishun and Tampines stations will also incorporate advanced signalling technology that will allow for higher train frequencies during peak hours.

Early opening schedule

The LTA has staged the launch of the new stations to minimise disruption and to give commuters time to adapt to the new routes. Yishun station will open on 11 October, with a dedicated shuttle service linking it to the existing North‑South line for the first week. Tampines station will follow on 22 November, when a limited trial service will run between the new Circle Line extension and the existing East‑West line terminus.

The early openings will also allow the LTA to monitor passenger flow and make fine‑tuning adjustments before the full extension becomes operational in the latter part of the year. For the interim, the Circle Line will operate on a “partial‑extension” timetable, with trains running from HarbourFront to Bukit Panjang via the new Yishun and Tampines stops during off‑peak hours and returning to the original loop during peak times.

Impact on commuters

For commuters in the north‑western suburbs, Yishun station will replace the need for a bus ride to the nearest MRT interchange, which is now about a 15‑minute walk from the North‑South line. The station is designed with a high‑capacity platform that can accommodate up to 1,200 passengers per train, and a new bus interchange will be constructed on the same site to further streamline transfers.

Tampines, which already has a bustling commercial hub, will gain a new Circle Line stop that will relieve pressure on the existing East‑West line platform. The new station will feature a dedicated pedestrian walkway that connects directly to the Tampines Integrated Transport Hub, giving commuters a seamless transition between rail and bus services.

The LTA has also announced that the new stations will be equipped with advanced safety features, including platform‑screen doors and real‑time crowd‑management sensors. These systems will feed data to the LTA’s central monitoring centre, allowing for rapid response to any incidents and ensuring smooth operations throughout the extension.

Future outlook

The Phase 3 extension is part of the LTA’s broader 2025–2030 strategy to expand the MRT network by 20 kilometres, with plans to open three new lines – the North‑East, Cross‑Town, and Cross‑City lines – by 2035. The Circle Line’s early openings are a key milestone in this timeline, showcasing the LTA’s ability to deliver complex infrastructure projects on schedule.

Commuters are encouraged to check the LTA’s official website and the “MRT Service Updates” portal for the latest timetable changes, fare adjustments, and any service advisories related to the new stations. With the Circle Line now offering even more connectivity across the island, Singapore’s public transport network is set to become more efficient, reliable, and commuter‑friendly than ever before.