Tampines MRT station explained

Type:Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange
Address:20 Tampines Central 1
Singapore 529538 (EWL)[1]
15 Tampines Central 1
Singapore 529544 (DTL)[2]
Other:Tampines Bus Interchange, Taxi
Structure:Elevated (East West line)
Underground (Downtown line)
Platform:4 (2 island platforms)
Levels:2
Tracks:4
Parking:Yes (Century Square, Tampines 1, Tampines Mall)
Bicycle:Yes
Passengers:48,791 per day[3]
Pass Year:June 2024
Opened: (East West line)
(Downtown line)
Electrified:Yes
Accessible:Yes
Operator:SMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT Corporation) (East West line)
SBS Transit DTL Pte Ltd (ComfortDelGro Corporation) (Downtown line)
Owned:Land Transport Authority
Former:Tampines North
Map Type:Singapore Rail
Map Dot Label:Tampines
Map Alt:Singapore MRT/LRT system map
Map Size:300px

Tampines MRT station is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the East West (EWL) and Downtown (DTL) lines in Tampines, Singapore. Located in the heart of the Tampines town centre next to Tampines Avenue 4, Tampines Central 4 and Tampines Central 5, it is in close proximity to the Tampines and Tampines Concourse bus interchanges. The station also serves the surrounding retail developments of Tampines Mall, Tampines One and Century Square.

The EWL station opened on 16 December 1989 as part of the MRT eastern line extension to Pasir Ris station via this station. On 20 August 2010, it was announced that the station would interchange with the DTL by 2017. The DTL station, which isn't directly connected to the existing EWL station, was completed on 21 October 2017. The EWL station exterior has the characteristic dome-shaped segmented roof also seen on other elevated EWL stations, while the DTL station features The Big Round & The Tall Long, an art piece by Studio Juju, as part of the MRT network's Art-in-Transit programme.

History

East West line (EWL)

In the planning stages of the MRT network, there were two proposed stations, tentatively named "Tampines North" and "Tampines South", on the EWL, with Tampines North being its eastern terminus.[4] The station was later constructed as part of the section between Pasir Ris station and Tanah Merah station, which in turn was part of Phase 2A of the MRT system.[5] Contract 306 for the construction of the stations from Changi Depot to Pasir Ris and 5.5km (03.4miles) of tracks was awarded to Sato Kogyo Pte Ltd at a contract sum of S$91.89 million (US$ million) in March 1986. The contract also included the construction of the Pasir Ris and Simei stations.[6]

The station opened on 16 December 1989 when the EWL extends to Pasir Ris[7] [8] [9] as announced by then-first deputy prime minister Goh Chok Tong on 4 November that year.[10] [11] The opening of the station was generally welcomed by residents in Tampines and Pasir Ris, who hoped for shorter travelling times to their workplaces in the city via the MRT.[12]

Tampines station was one of the first five MRT stations to be retrofitted with lifts and ramps in 2002, alongside enhancement works such as toilets for the disabled. These works, which cost, were part of a system-wide programme to make the MRT network more wheel-chair accessible. The programme comes after lobbying by the Handicaps Welfare Association.[13] In 2009, enhanced bicycle parking facilities were installed at Tampines station (alongside Yishun and Pasir Ris) as part of a pilot programme. These improvements include greater flexibility to lock the bicycles at either the frame or the wheels and basic shelters. The contract for the bicycle parking facilities was awarded to Shincon Industrial Pte Ltd at a contract sum of S$1.43 million (US$ million).[14]

In 2011, half-height platform screen doors were installed at this station as part of the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) programme to improve safety in MRT stations.[15] [16] [17] Later, on 30 March 2012, Tampines was the first MRT station to have high-volume low-speed fans installed above the station platforms as part of a network-wide programme to improve ventaliation at the platforms of elevated stations.[18] [19] [20]

Downtown line (DTL)

On 20 August 2010, the LTA announced that Tampines station would be an interchange with the Downtown line. The station would be constructed as part of the 21km (13miles) Stage 3, consisting of 16 stations between the River Valley (now Fort Canning) and Expo stations. The line was expected to be completed in 2017.[21] [22] [23]

Contract 925A for the construction of the DTL station was awarded to KTC Civil Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd at a contract sum of S$118.5 million (US$ million) in July 2011. Construction of the station started that month and was targeted to complete in 2017.[24] [25] [26]

The station was constructed using the top-down method. This was to minimise movement to the existing viaducts for the EWL. As there is limited space, special low headroom machines were utilised to facilitate some of the works. To prevent disruption to the operations of the bus interchange and the shops, a paid link was not constructed between the DTL and EWL stations.[27] On 31 May 2017, it was announced that the station, together with the rest of DTL3, would be opened on 21 October that year.[28] [29] Passengers were offered a preview of the station along with the other DTL3 stations at the DTL 3 Open House on 15 October.[30]

Station details

Location

As the name suggests, the station serves the town of Tampines. The station is surrounded by the retail developments of Century Square, Tampines Mall and Tampines 1, in addition to commercial buildings such as the HDB (Housing and Development Board) Branch Office, AIA Tampines, the CPF (Central Provident Fund) Tampines Building and two Income buildings. It is also within walking distances to the Tampines North Community Club, Tampines Polyclinic, Our Tampines Hub and the Masjid Darul Ghufran.[31] [32]

The station also serves two bus interchanges: the Tampines Bus Interchange[33] and the Tampines Concourse Bus Interchange.[32] The latter bus interchange, which opened on 18 December 2016, was built as an extension of the existing bus interchange.[34] [35] [36]

Services

The station is an interchange between the EWL and the DTL. The official station code is EW2/DT32.[37] On the EWL, the station is between the Pasir Ris and Simei stations.[37] The EWL station operates between 5:22am and 11:39am and has headways of 2 to 5 minutes depending on peak hours.[38] [39]

On the DTL, the station is between the Tampines West and Tampines East stations.[37] The DTL station operates between 5:41am and 12:35am and has headways of 2 to 5 minutes depending on peak hours.[39] [40] The DTL station is not directly connected to the EWL station and hence commuters have to exit either of the stations to transfer to the other line via a 300m (1,000feet) sheltered walkway.[27] [41] The transfer is considered a "valid transfer" of a "journey" as long as it does not exceed 15 minutes.[42]

Design

Like most EWL elevated stations on the eastern segment on the line, Tampines station has the notable feature of the dome-shaped roof, segmented like a caterpillar, over the platform level. The design was an attempt by the MRT Corporation (MRTC) to give the stations on the EWL an "attractive look".[43] The colour scheme used for the station is rustic brown, reflected on the doors to the restricted areas and the ceiling trunking box at the platform level of the station.[44]

The DTL station, designed by Greenhilli, is intended to "people-centric" while built at an affordable cost. It is designed to facilitate movement through interconnectivity, spatial volume, asymmetry, colour and "super-graphics". The spacious interior improves visual awareness within the station, fostering "intuitive" wayfinding and giving the station identity that reflects the locality of the area. The architecture of the DTL station allows future integration with upcoming developments, including provisions for additional underground developments above the station structure.[45]

Public artwork

As part of the MRT system's Art-in-Transit Programme, The Big Round & The Tall Long by Studio Juju is an artwork consisting of two huge shapes – the Big Round and the Tall Long – on the opposite walls of the DTL platforms. The Big Round, which is 7m (23feet) in diameter, is "stripped away" from the excessiveness of "form and details", creating a singular, expressive geometry. The Tall Long, which is 9m (30feet) in height, is "buoyant" and "stretches upwards".

Both of these shapes reflect the dimensions of the station and "gave polarities" to the nearly symmetrical station,[46] bringing a sense of "calm and order" to the station atmosphere.[47] [48] The shapes was also meant to "fill the void" between the vastness of space and commuters.[46] These shapes, enhanced by the reflecting benches on the platforms,[47] act as wayfinders for passengers travelling around the station.[48]

Notes and references

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tampines MRT Station (EW2) . OneMap . Singapore Land Authority . 6 March 2021 . 6 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210306083441/https://www.onemap.sg/main/v2/?lat=1.35330167637375&lng=103.945144586749 . live .
  2. Web site: Tampines MRT Station (DT32) . OneMap . Singapore Land Authority . 6 March 2021 . 6 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210306083502/https://www.onemap.sg/main/v2/?lat=1.35515041120472&lng=103.943009883131 . live .
  3. Web site: Land Transport DataMall . mytransport.sg . . 14 August 2024 . 14 August 2024 . https://archive.ph/YCbCx . live.
  4. News: Proposed MRT stations . The Straits Times . 23 May 1982 . 1 . 12 December 2020 . 9 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201209133525/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19820523-1.2.9 . live .
  5. News: MRT seeks design advice for next two phases . Business Times . 19 May 1984 . 6 December 2020 . 8 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201208112845/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19840519-1.2.6 . live .
  6. News: 12 March 1986. Time is the essence of these contracts. The Business Times. 6 December 2020. 8 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201208112846/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19860312-1.2.11.1. live.
  7. News: 3 stations open today . The Straits Times . 16 December 1989 . 6 December 2020 . 4 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191104033855/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19891216-1.2.33.21.2 . live .
  8. News: MRT goes all the way east. 17 December 1989. The Straits Times. 19 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919193041/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19891217-1.2.6.1.1. live.
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  12. News: 15 December 1989. Residents get sneak preview of three new MRT stations. The Straits Times. 16 August 2020. 12 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201212094206/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19891215-1.2.44.2. live.
  13. News: More MRT stops ready for disabled. The Straits Times. 24 December 2002.
  14. Web site: Better Bicycle Parking Facilities Near Pasir Ris, Tampines and Yishun MRT Stations . www.lta.gov.sg . https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/2013-02-19%2007:36:42.000/wp/details/http://app.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=2016 . 19 February 2013 . 6 October 2008.
  15. News: The Straits Times . Platform screen doors for all above-ground MRT stations by 2012 . 25 January 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080128072930/http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest+News/Singapore/STIStory_199958.html. 28 January 2008.
  16. Speech by Mr Raymond Lim, Minister for Transport, at the Visit to Kim Chuan Depot, 25 January 2008, 9.00am. Ministry of Transport. 25 January 2008. 11 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150112142646/http://www.mot.gov.sg/News-Centre/News/2008/Speech-By-Mr-Raymond-Lim-At-The-Visit-To-Kim-Chuan-Depot-on-25-January-2008/. 12 January 2015. dead.
  17. News: LTA completes installing elevated MRT station screen doors early. Channel NewsAsia. 23 September 2017. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20170924001503/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/lta-completes-installing-elevated-mrt-station-screen-doors-early-8443586. 24 September 2017. live.
  18. Web site: Connect – 2012: Special Year End issue . www.lta.gov.sg . http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/wayback/20130217205634/http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/PublicationsResearch/files/ReportNewsletter/Connect/Connect_2012_YrEnd_Final.pdf . 17 February 2013 . 12 December 2020 . dead .
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  21. Web site: Downtown Line 3 Station Locations Unveiled Faster Access for Residents in the East to the City and Marina Bay Area . 20 August 2010. www.lta.gov.sg. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/2016-04-25%2019:14:38.000/wp/details/http://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=yivww86x9i5t4jpf9s4plkdid6mc74swzo97f0f0x8o4a616g1. 25 April 2016. dead. 27 April 2016.
  22. Web site: Alignment of DTL3 . www.lta.gov.sg . http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/wayback/20160425123410/http://www.lta.gov.sg/data/apps/news/press/2010/Alignment%20of%20DTL.pdf . 25 April 2016 . dead . 12 December 2020 .
  23. News: DTL Station Locations. www.lta.gov.sg. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/wayback/20131231111820/http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/PublicTransport/files/DTL%20Station%20Locations.pdf. 31 December 2013. dead. 12 December 2020.
  24. News: LTA Awards Contracts for River Valley Station and Two Tampines Stations . www.lta.gov.sg. 26 July 2011 . dead . https://archive.today/20210307025734/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/2016-04-25%2019:06:55.000/wp/details/http://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=6oja9k99r1m6tvkse7k8z53w6e74vp7nj41te29xoo0hkc4wln . 7 March 2021 . 12 December 2020 .
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  43. News: 20 April 1986. Roof to make heads turn. The Straits Times. 12 December 2020. 12 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201212094207/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19860420-1.2.22.25. live.
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  47. Web site: Getting Around–Public Transport–A Better Public Transport Experience–Art in Transit . www.lta.gov.sg . 26 October 2020 . 12 December 2020 . 21 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200421081559/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/a_better_public_transport_experience/art_in_transit.html . live .
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