Residents hail new line, but want it sooner

The new Downtown Line will be just the ticket for student Joan Ang, who has to chop and change on three different trains to get from Bukit Panjang to Bugis.

It will be a direct route on the new track - and probably cheaper as the distance is less - but not for another eight years.

‘It’s a pity the new line can’t be up sooner,’ said Ms Ang, 16, who often travels to the east for fencing training.

The $12 billion line and its 33 stations will be built in three stages and finished by 2018, it was announced on Friday.

It will run from Bukit Panjang to Bugis, loop around the Marina Bay area, pass through Chinatown, head east to Tampines and end at the Singapore Expo.

Travel time from Bukit Panjang or Tampines to the city will be cut by 10 minutes.

Residents who would benefit from the line welcomed the decision to go ahead with the network, which was first mentioned in 2001.

Bukit Timah housewife Jennifer Woodford, 48, said she would save money if she could take the MRT to town instead of a taxi.

Others felt the new line would benefit the environment, as it would reduce road traffic.

Bedok Reservoir resident Brenda Lee, 49, a dental nurse, said: ‘I’m pro-environment. I would give up my car and take the train if the MRT station is next to where I stay.’

Madam Lee will have even more to cheer about if the station is near her home.

PropNex chief executive Mohamed Ismail said properties near MRT stations usually sell for 10 per cent more than similar ones in the area that are further from the stations.

But ERA president Jack Chua added that property prices would not rise until the exact location of the stations is determined.

MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC Baey Yam Keng said the line would attract people to regional centres.

‘It’s a two-way flow of people. It’s also good for tourists to get around Singapore,’ he said.

Bukit Panjang MP Teo Ho Pin felt Bukit Panjang would become a hub.

He said: ‘Recent renovations at Bukit Panjang Plaza have increased traffic 50 per cent.
Hopefully the MRT will give it another boost.’

Source : Sunday Times - 29 Apr 2007