Toa Payoh MRT station explained

Type:Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station
Address:510 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh
Singapore 319398[1]
Other:Bus (Toa Payoh Bus Interchange), taxi
Structure:Underground
Platform:2 (1 island platform)
Levels:1
Tracks:2
Passengers:32,943 per day[2]
Pass Year:June 2024
Accessible:Yes
Operator:SMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT Corporation)
Map Type:Singapore Rail central area
Map Dot Label:Toa Payoh
Map Alt:A map of the Singapore rail system, with a color for each line and a red dot highlighting the location of Toa Payoh station
Map Size:300px
Map State:collapsed

Toa Payoh MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the North South line (NSL) in Toa Payoh, Singapore. Located in the town centre of Toa Payoh, it is integrated with the Toa Payoh Bus Interchange and the HDB Hub, headquarters of the Housing and Development Board. The station is underneath the intersection of three roads: Lorong1 Toa Payoh, Lorong2 Toa Payoh and Lorong6 Toa Payoh.

First announced in May 1982, construction of the station began in 1983 as part of PhaseI of the MRT system. In August 1985, it became the first Mass Rapid Transit station in Singapore to have its concrete structure completed. It opened on 7 November 1987 and was one of the first MRT stations to operate in revenue service. It has a bright yellow scheme with a set of coloured tiles at the concourse level.

History

Toa Payoh station was included in the early plans of the MRT network published in May 1982.[3] The first confirmation that the station would be among the Phase I stations (from Ang Mo Kio to Marina Bay) came in November that year.[4] [5] This segment was given priority as it passed through areas that had a higher demand for public transport, such as the densely populated housing estates of Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio and the Central Area. The line aimed to relieve the traffic congestion on the Thomson–Sembawang road corridor.[6] [7]

Contract 104 for the construction of the Toa Payoh and Novena stations was awarded to Tobishima–Takenaka Joint Venture in September 1983. The S$96.8million (US$million in) contract included the construction of 2.329km (01.447miles) of tunnels.[8] [9] Construction of the tunnels between Toa Payoh and Novena began with a groundbreaking ceremony at Shan Road on 22 October 1983. This ceremony also marked the beginning of the MRT network construction.[10] The tunnels and the station had an expected completion date of early 1988.[11]

The station was constructed on the site of the Toa Payoh Central bus terminal, which was relocated to an adjacent site.[12] At Shan Road, the initial shaft was dug into a layer of sandstone. Tunnels were driven in either direction from that shaft. The composition of the ground was of either sandstone, granite, marine clay, or decomposed rocks. The sandstone sections had to be driven using a shield (with temporary shotcrete/mesh reinforcement). The granite sections had to be driven and also mined using explosives. The marine clay sections were constructed using cut-and-cover, and the decomposed rock sections used the New Austrian tunneling method (NATM).[13]

On 6 August 1985 Toa Payoh was the first MRT station to have its structural works completed, with the final bucket of cement poured into the station as part of the topping out ceremony.[14] [15] [16] Due to various soil conditions, in November 1985 the contractor requested an extension of eight months and additional monetary claims to construct the tunnels between the Novena and Toa Payoh stations.[17]

In January 1986 it was announced that the first section of the MRT system, from the Yio Chu Kang to Toa Payoh stations, would be opened in early 1988;[18] this was rescheduled to 7 November 1987 in an announcement in 16 September that year.[19] [20] [21] In an effort to familiarise people with the system,[22] the station hosted a preview from 10 to 11 October 1987.[23] [24] During the preview, about 44,000 people visited the station.[25] However, no train services ran, much to the disappointment of many visitors. Many expressed excitement and curiosity, and many visitors bought tickets to take the MRT ride on the system's debut.[26]

On the opening day, Toa Payoh was the most visited station on the newly completed line, with long lines outside the station by 11:00am.[27] At the opening ceremony, second deputy prime minister Ong Teng Cheong, who advocated for and commissioned the planning of the MRT system, attended the ceremony as a special Guest of Honour. Yeo Ning Hong, the Minister For Communications and Information, formally started MRT operations and announced it to be the "beginning" of the MRT system.[28] On the day, the emergency button was activated at Toa Payoh station just before 8:30pm, which halted trains for about half an hour along one of the two tracks leading to the station.

On 8 January 2006 Toa Payoh station was one of four MRT stations which participated in Exercise NorthstarV, a mock counterterrorism exercise.[29] In July 2012, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) called for a tender to enhance the flood prevention measures (such as new flood barriers) at Toa Payoh station, along with eleven other MRT stations.[30] [31] From July 2012 to 2014, the escalator at ExitD (the pedestrian underpass linking to Lorong2 Toa Payoh) was replaced and upgraded.[32]

Station details

Toa Payoh serves the North South line (NSL) and is between the Braddell and Novena stations. The official station code is NS19.[33] Like all the stations of the NSL, the station is operated by SMRT Trains.[34] The station operates between 5:41am and 12:25am daily.[35] Train frequencies vary from 2.5 to 5.0 minutes.[36]

The station has four entrances serving the Toa Payoh area. Toa Payoh means "big swamp" in the Hokkien dialect. The name is a reference to the large swampy area which existed prior to the development of Chinese market gardens there.[37] [38] Surrounding landmarks include the Toa Payoh Bus Interchange, HDB Hub,[39] Toa Payoh Public Library, Toa Payoh Stadium, Toa Payoh Swimming complex and the CHIJ Primary and Secondary Schools. The station is also next to two churches: the Church of the Risen Christ and Toa Payoh Methodist Church.[40]

The station is underground, with a concourse on the upper level and the platforms on the lower level.[41] Like many stations on the initial MRT network, Toa Payoh has an island platform.[42] Toa Payoh is also one of the few stations on the initial network to have a double-height ceiling. The wide platforms and entrances were designed to accommodate huge crowds.[43]

Toa Payoh station has a bright yellow colour scheme for the pillars and canopies.[44] Along the 50m (160feet) concourse, the station features a "rainbow dressing" mural consisting of 15,000 tiles in various colours. The rainbow mural was intended to reflect the masses of people of various racial backgrounds moving together in harmony.[45]

As part of SMRT's Comic Connect, a public art showcase of heritage-themed murals, the station displays The Toa Payoh Story by James Suresh, Sayed Ismail and Suki Chong.[46] The artwork depicts various landmarks of the Toa Payoh area, including the dragon playground, Shuang Lin Monastery, and the Toa Payoh Public Library.[47] The mural includes the depiction of Seah Eu Chin, a businessman and landowner of the area. As Toa Payoh was the first town developed by the Housing and Development Board, the artists intended for the mural to tie the area's significance to major milestones in Singapore's history.[48]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Toa Payoh MRT Station (NS19) . OneMap . . 8 March 2021.
  2. Web site: Land Transport DataMall . Datamall . . 14 August 2024 . 14 August 2024 . https://archive.ph/YCbCx . live. registration.
  3. News: 23 May 1982 . Proposed MRT stations . . 1 . . . 12 December 2020 . NewspaperSG.
  4. News: Where the 14 North–South MRT stations will be . 31 July 2022 . . . 30 November 1982 . 7 . NewspaperSG.
  5. News: Exact locations of 14 stations . . . 30 November 1982 . 1. NewspaperSG.
  6. Book: Annual report . Provisional Mass Rapid Transit Authority . 1983 . Singapore . 5.
  7. News: 29 August 1982 . North–south line off first . Rav . Dhaliwal . . . 19 December 2020 . NewspaperSG. 1.
  8. News: Japanese win first MRT civil engineering contract . . . 16 September 1983 . 1 . 18 December 2020 . Wee. Agnes. NewspaperSG .
  9. News: Japanese likely to bag first two MRT jobs . . . 6 September 1983 . 1 . 18 December 2020 . 19 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201219051544/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19830906-1.2.4 . live. Richard. Seah. NewspaperSG.
  10. News: John . Alan . Tan . Julie . Days of wine and promise . 23 June 2022 . . . 23 October 1983 . 1 . 23 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220623041528/https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/assets/images/ST175/NewspaperSG/1983-10-23/full.jpg . live .
  11. News: Work begins on the first part of MRT system . . . 29 October 1983 . 19 December 2020 . NewspaperSG. 17.
  12. News: The big dig starts in two months . . . 4 August 1983 . 7 . 18 December 2020 . NewspaperSG.
  13. Book: Mass Rapid Transit System: Proceedings of the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Conference . . Singapore . 1987 . 9971-84-636-5 . 82363485 . 264.
  14. News: . Toa Payoh MRT station first to be topped out . . . 6 August 1985 . 15 June 2017 . 2. NewspaperSG .
  15. News: MRT nears half-way mark . . . NewspaperSG . 31 July 1985 . 8 . 18 December 2020 .
  16. Web site: Speech by Dr Yeo Ning Hong, Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Defence, at the topping out ceremony at the Toa Payoh MRT station on 5 August 1985 at 10.00 am . . Ministry of Communications and Information. 5 August 1985 . 18 December 2020 . 18 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201218094121/https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/19850805_0001.pdf . live .
  17. News: MRT builder claims additional cost . . . 16 November 1985 . 12 . 18 December 2020 . NewspaperSG .
  18. News: The first residents to ride MRT trains . . . NewspaperSG . 14 January 1986 . 12 . 19 December 2020 .
  19. News: Dhaliwal. Rav . MRT trains to roll on Nov 7 . . . NewspaperSG . 16 September 1987 . 1 .
  20. News: Soong. Martin. MRT trains may start runs a month early . . . NewspaperSG . 16 September 1987 . 2 . 19 December 2020 .
  21. News: Lim. Soon Neo. MRT to spend $1.5 m on educating public before trains roll . . . NewspaperSG . 25 September 1987. 2.
  22. News: MRT station tours from next month . . . NewspaperSG . 4 September 1987 . 19 . 19 December 2020 .
  23. Web site: Speech by Dr Yeo Ning Hong, Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Defence, at Toa Payoh MRT station open day on Saturday, 10 October 1987 at 9.00 am. . . . 10 October 1987 . 18 December 2020 . 18 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201218094003/https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/ynh19871010as.pdf . live .
  24. News: MRT tours for public start today at Braddell and Toa Payoh . . . NewspaperSG . 10 October 1987. 16.
  25. News: 57,000 visit two stations over the weekend . . . NewspaperSG . 13 October 1987 . 18 December 2020 .
  26. News: Dhaliwal. Rav . Thousands turn up for first look at MRT stations . . . NewspaperSG. 11 October 1987 . 14 . 19 December 2020 .
  27. News: Dhaliwal. Rav. Michael. Lim. All aboard for the Subway Age. 1. The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. NewspaperSG. 8 November 1987. 12 September 2017. live. 28 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220228051620/https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/assets/images/ST175/NewspaperSG/1987-11-08/full.jpg.
  28. Web site: Speech by Dr Yeo Ning Hong, Minister For Communications and Information And Second Minister For Defence (Policy), at the inauguration of public service of the MRT system at the Toa Payoh Station on Saturday, 7 November 1987 at 9.00 am . . 7 November 1987 . 19 December 2020 . 19 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190719034357/http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/ynh19871107s.pdf . live . .
  29. News: Twenty-two agencies in Exercise Northstar V ready for action. . Mediacorp. 3 January 2006. 11 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20071001043739/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/186433/1/.html. 1 October 2007. dead.
  30. News: Anti-flooding measures at 11 more MRT stations. The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. 30 July 2012. 1. Sim. Royston. 23 June 2022. 28 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220228063814/https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/assets/images/ST175/NewspaperSG/2012-07-30/full.jpg. live.
  31. Web site: Anti-flooding measures at 11 more MRT stations . Eco-Business . 30 July 2012 . 19 December 2020 . 9 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140809074335/http://www.eco-business.com/news/anti-flooding-measures-at-11-more-mrt-stations/ . live .
  32. Web site: . . Upgrading of overhead bridges and underpasses . https://web.archive.org/web/20160403091513/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltaweb/en/roads-and-motoring/projects/road-and-commuter-facilities/upgrading-of-overhead-bridges-and-underpasses.html . 3 April 2016 . 19 December 2020 . dead .
  33. Web site: MRT System Map. . --> Land Transport Authority. 21 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200821064838/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/pdf/sm-20-03-en-exp.pdf. live.
  34. Web site: Getting Around – Public Transport – Rail Network . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191101093543/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network.html . 1 November 2019 . 27 April 2021 . . --> Land Transport Authority.
  35. Web site: Toa Payoh – First & Last Train . . SMRT Journeys . 19 December 2020 . 1 November 2021 . https://archive.today/20211101044839/http://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/toa-payoh/first-and-last-train/ . live .
  36. Web site: LTA Transport Tools MRT/LRT. . -->Land Transport Authority. 11 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191101093932/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/map/train.html. 1 November 2019. live.
  37. Web site: Toa Payoh . . 19 December 2020 . 19 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201219023930/https://www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/infoweb/about-us/history/hdb-towns-your-home/toa-payoh . live .
  38. Book: Savage, Victor . Singapore street names: A study of toponymics . Marshall Cavendish Editions . Singapore . 2013 . 978-981-4408-35-6 . 868957283. 632.
  39. Web site: HDB Hub . . 19 December 2020 . 29 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201029060058/https://www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/infoweb/residential/where2shop/explore/toa-payoh/hdb-hub . live .
  40. Web site: Toa Payoh – Exits . . SMRT Journeys . 19 December 2020 . 1 November 2021 . https://archive.today/20211101044830/http://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/toa-payoh/exits/ . live .
  41. News: Designs of two MRT stations . . . 21 October 1983 . 19 December 2020 . 3. Agnes. Wee . NewspaperSG.
  42. News: Rav. Dhaliwal . Getting to know the network and how it will work . . . 28 April 1987 . 19 . 19 December 2020 . NewspaperSG.
  43. Web site: Sajan . Chantal . Early stations' bare essentials . . . 29 February 2020 . 19 December 2020 . 4 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200904121923/https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/home-design/early-stations-bare-essentials . live . subscription .
  44. News: 12 December 1987 . Reflections of our lifestyle . Jonathan. Choo . . . 10 September 2020 . NewspaperSG. 4.
  45. News: Rav. Dhaliwal . Rainbow dressing at Toa Payoh station . . . 1 March 1987. 3.
  46. Web site: Manoharan . Sabarna . SMRT unveils series of murals depicting history of neighbourhoods . . . 23 June 2022 . 24 June 2022 . 24 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220624040236/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/smrt-unveils-series-of-murals-depicting-history-of-neighbourhoods . live .
  47. Web site: The Toa Payoh Story . . 23 June 2022 . 24 June 2022 . 24 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220624004737/https://www.smrt.com.sg/Portals/0/Announcement/2022/TP_wall%20mural%2007JUN22.pdf . live .
  48. Web site: SMRT Trains engages local art community to produce wall murals showcasing Singapore's heritage in vicinity of train stations . . 23 June 2022 . 24 June 2022 . 24 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220624004729/https://www.smrt.com.sg/Announcements/articleid/smrt-trains-engages-local-art-community-to-produce-wall-murals-showcasing-singapores-heritage-in-vicinity-of-train-stations . live .

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