Punggol LRT Line
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SengkangMRT.JPG
The Punggol LRT system's first phase comprises a 10.3km light rail line with 15 stations. Similar to the Sengkang LRT Line, its rolling stock manufacturer and line operator are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and SBS Transit respectively. Construction began in June 2000 by a consortium comprising SembCorp Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Corporation, at a cost of S$354 million.
Construction of the first phase was completed in June 2004, and underwent testing by the Land Transport Authority. The system was handed over to SBS Transit on 1 December 2004, who are conducting more trial runs and staff training before the planned opening of the East Loop of the system on January 29, 2005. Stations PE6 Oasis and PE7 Damai, as well as the entire West Loop, will be opened at a later date.
The second phase of the system will involve a northern spur line branching from PW2 Teck Lee Station, with 4 stations.
Significance
When it is completed, the Punggol LRT Line will be able to serve most of, if not the entire town of Punggol. Although presently Punggol is actually less densely populated than other towns, there are plans to turn it into a new town, and hence house a possibly a large portion of the population of Singapore, especially when development is completed, the housing capacity will be large enough to accommodate a growing population for the future.
The Punggol LRT Line gives an incentive for development and residency in the area, and hence its importance in linking Punggol up with an integrated public transport system, as it also will lead to the Mass Rapid Transit line that spans the entire island of Singapore.
Stations
- PTC / NE17: Punggol / 榜鹅 / பொங்கோல் (interchange with North East Line)
- East Loop
- PE1: Cove / 海湾 / கோவ்
- PE2: Meridian / 丽园 / மெரிடியன்
- PE3: Coral Edge
- PE4: Riveria
- PE5: Kadaloor
- PE6: Oasis (not open)
- PE7: Damai (not open)
- West Loop (not open)