TikToker Records 101dB Noise Levels On Thomson East Coast Line (TEL) MRT Ride

Those taking the train on the Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL) hoping for a quiet, peaceful ride may be sorely disappointed.

TikToker Isaac Lee, who has long felt that noise levels on the TEL sounded unusually loud, decided to put it to the test by bringing along a sound level meter on his commute from the southern end of the line all the way to Woodlands.

And what he found was not great.

While the train was travelling through Havelock MRT station, the meter recorded a jaw-dropping 101 decibels.

To put that into perspective, that’s about as loud as being at a rock concert, except this is what some commuters are exposed to daily, on the way to work.

For context, Apple Watch users receive a warning when noise levels exceed 90dB, making the reading particularly alarming.

Noise-cancelling headphones suddenly feel less like a luxury and more like survival gear.

Havelock wasn’t the only culprit. Orchard Boulevard MRT station clocked in at 98.7dB, with Isaac later writing: “Imagine the torture from town, [and] back north.”

After completing his journey, Isaac called on the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to take action.

“I think a lot of people will be having hearing loss very soon,” he said.

This isn’t the first time commuters have complained about the TEL’s ear-splitting ride.

Over the years, passengers have described the experience as uncomfortable, if not downright painful.

One netizen even claimed that while travelling between Marine Parade and Tanjong Katong, he shouted, and no one heard him.

Yikes!

According to LTA’s website, interior noise levels in underground MRT trains are generally kept to 85 decibels LAeq, a measurement of sound pressure over time.

However, LTA acknowledged that certain sections of the TEL exceed this threshold due to the curvature of the tracks.

The loudest stretches reportedly include areas between Springleaf and Lentor, Stevens and Napier, as well as Bright Hill and Upper Thomson.

LTA explained that the curved track alignment was necessary to minimise land acquisition from nearby residents and to shorten overall commuting time.

Mitigation measures have since been implemented, including slowing down trains in affected areas and grinding the tracks to smooth contact between wheels and rails.

8days.sg has reached out to LTA for comment.

Photos: Isaac Lee/TikTok, SMRT, LTA