Opening Remarks by Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow at the Opening Ceremony for Circle Line Stage 6

Fellow advisors, 

Colleagues and friends from the OneTransport family,

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Good morning.   

1.          I am very happy to join you today at the opening ceremony for Circle Line Stage 6 (CCL6). 

2.          This marks the completion of the entire Circle Line, a project that has taken more than 30 years in total. It passed through the hands of many engineers, project managers, contractors, and workers over the years.  

3.          I was in MOT in 2013 when we first announced the decision to build CCL6. 13 years later, I am incredibly grateful to be here to open the gates at Keppel, Cantonment, and Prince Edward Road stations to the public for the very first time. 

4.          CCL6 has been a project long in the making. 

a.          Although it was in the original design years ago, we did not start the CCL6 project until the land became available: 

i.          This included the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and tracks, which were only returned to Singapore in 2011; 

ii.          And the port terminals in the city, after we firmed up our plans to move them to Tuas.  

b.          It was thus only in 2013 that we announced CCL6 in the Land Transport Master Plan. 

c.          Finally, people can stop asking LTA why the Circle Line is not a circle.  

5.          The three new CCL6 stations will provide residents in the area with direct access to the MRT. 

a.          More than 10,000 commuters will enjoy shorter train rides – for example, when travelling east to west or vice versa. 

b.          But the real benefit is that these three stations will open up the next chapter of our city, including the Greater Southern Waterfront and Marina Bay. This will connect new opportunities: more homes, more jobs, and more community spaces, now and in the future. 

6.          Delivering this in our busy downtown was one of the most difficult engineering projects that LTA has ever completed.  

a.          For instance, we had to remove previously undiscovered coastal structures under the port terminal before the project could even start. 

b.          Then our engineers had to tunnel just 7 metres beneath the former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, without damaging the nearly 100 year-old structure which we wanted to conserve. 

c.          They also had to tunnel under the live Keppel Viaduct – which required careful work to protect the viaduct foundations, so as not to affect road traffic.  

d.          If you are interested in the frontier of civil engineering, you can take a look at some of the exhibits at Keppel station, which showcase the techniques used by our LTA engineers.  

7.          Today, we get one final chance to preview the three CCL6 stations before they open for service. In my view, they are three of the most beautifully designed stations on our MRT network. 

a.          Keppel Station is inspired by nature, with skylights that flood the platform with natural light, and reflective walls and ceilings that create a bright and welcoming interior. 

b.          Prince Edward Road Station draws inspiration from Singapore's old waterfront and seafaring communities, with station facilities housed within the shape of a ship’s hull, and a ceiling that mimics the coastline. 

c.          And Cantonment Station, with its magnificent barrel vault ceiling, stained glass and analogue clock, is an ode to the old railway station, which is now a national monument and an important part of Singapore's heritage. 

i.          LASALLE School of the Arts hosted an incredible fashion show by its graduating class of students in this station last month. 

ii.          It was a fitting homage, because we had also commemorated the closing of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station then with a fashion show, so we have brought things back full circle. 

8.          Way back last June, I did my first interview as the Minister for Transport. Somewhat guilelessly, I spoke about how I hoped to make Singaporeans love and take pride in our public transport. 

a.          I still hold on to this hope. After all, if Londoners can take pride in their Tube, maybe we can also love our MRT a bit more.  

b.          I believe public transport is intricately woven into the history and fabric of a city. It is not just infrastructure; it is part of our collective memories. 

c.          When we retired our first-generation MRT trains recently, many Singaporeans wrote in to urge me to preserve some of them. I felt exactly the same way, because I still remember the first time my dad took me on the MRT. 

d.          These memories matter. Where we can, we should take pride in them, and take every opportunity to honour their place in our history. 

9.          I hope all of you enjoy today’s public preview and festivities. I look forward to the opening of CCL6 for passenger service on 12 July.

10.          Thank you.