Transcript of Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling Media Doorstop Interview at Serangoon MRT Station on Circle Line Service Adjustment from 17 January to 19 April 2026
28 January 2026
1. Good morning, everyone. Since the Circle Line service adjustments started on 17 January 2026, commuters have become more familiar with the changes in routes. We have rolled out shuttle buses and, over the past five weekdays, have seen about 30,000 commuters using the shuttle buses.
2. We have also deployed many marshals and volunteers. As commuters become more familiar with the new routes, we will likely be decreasing the number of marshals and volunteers deployed on the ground, because commuters know where to go.
3. I have spoken to some commuters, who have shared that the service adjustments have added around 10 to 20 minutes of extra travel time, but that it is manageable. We have also made sure that they are comfortable, and there is shelter for them when they are waiting for the shuttle buses.
4. Some commuters have also decided to make alternative travel arrangements. For instance, some may be taking the North East Line, so what we see on the ground is that the Circle Line stations are not too crowded. We thank commuters for their support and understanding during this period.
5. Concurrent to the Circle Line service adjustments, we also have other travel initiatives. For instance, we rolled out free pre- and post-peak rail travel on the North East Line, as well as enhancements to Travel Smart Journeys. We have seen some commuters changing their travel timing. Some have opted to travel on the North East Line, which helps us as we make the service adjustments on the Circle Line.
6. I am also pleased to share that engineering works for the ongoing Circle Line service adjustment are progressing smoothly. We are on track to finish reinforcement of the tunnels by April 2026. To date, about 10% of steel rings have already been successfully installed.
7. 环岛线服务调整开始至今,已有大概三万名乘客乘坐我们所提供的接驳巴士。乘客已经逐渐开始熟悉新的安排,刚才我与几名乘客聊天时,他们分享说虽然他们的行程时间增加了十到二十分钟,可是整体的安排还算比较顺畅。
8. 我们也非常感激乘客们对我们的支持与给予我们的耐心,因为随着我们的交通基础设施老化, 我们需要更多时间去进行维修工作。
9. 我们现在的维修工程也进行的挺顺利的。至今,已有大概10%的铁环已成功安装。这是为了巩固我们的隧道,来确保我们的隧道安全。
