How Commuters Are Coping With East-West MRT Line Train Changes During 10-Day Service Adjustments

The scheduled 10-day MRT shutdown along part of the East-West Line (EWL) is underway. So how are commuters coping? 

Train services between Bedok and Tampines as well as Tanah Merah and Expo are not available from November 29 to December 8. There are shuttle buses available at affected stations. 

The closure is needed for track connection work linking the new East Coast Integrated Depot, as well as opening a new platform at Tanah Merah Station.

While some commuters vented their frustrations about their disrupted journeys and overcrowded stations on social media, others were unfazed.

TikToker @grace3947 posted a clip of herself sitting in a near-empty train on November 30 at 6:15pm, but said that Paya Lebar MRT station was packed. 

“[T]hey overmanage [the situation], and the crowd is all jammed downstairs. They are refusing to let people come up,” she says. According to her, only one escalator was in use at Paya Lebar MRT station, which didn't help the crowded situation at the interchange where the East-West Line meets the Circle line. 

Meanwhile, TiKToker @gracedotc0m shared her own clip of the station about the crowds during the evening rush hour on Monday (Dec 1) at about 7pm.

But at least one netizen was unfazed by the EWL closures.

@bellaella77 posted a TikTok video of a tentage setup outside Bedok MRT station, complete with metal barricades to handle the crowd boarding shuttle buses, and was seemingly impressed by how organised it was. 

At least there is some light at the end of the tunnel (see what we did there?) — according to reports, works are on track for regular rail operations to resume as scheduled on December 9.

Photos: grace3947/TikTok, gracedotc0m/TikTok, bellaella77/TikTok