West Coast Extension

Source: Land Transport Authority Facebook page

The Land Transport Authority announced the possibility of the Jurong Region Line being extended from the current planned terminus in the West Coast vicinity to connect with the Circle Line. This proposed extension has been suggested by multiple commuters to improve connectivity from the western region to the Central Business District and other areas via the completed Circle Line with stage 6 plugging the remaining gap. It is good news to know that the authorities see the wisdom in investing in this suggestion.

The extension would be approximately 5km long and potentially connect at Haw Par Villa station on the Circle Line. We expect that the extension should pass through the population centres along West Coast Road: West Coast Drive, West Coast Plaza, Clementi Woods, Kent Ridge terminal, Heng Mui Keng, Science Park II and Haw Par Villa for interchange to the Circle Line.

Read more here (Channel News Asia article) and here (Land Transport Authority press release).

Interchange stations

Based on different sources, we can piece together that the Jurong Region Line will feature 5 stations connecting to other MRT lines.

Source: GreenhilLi

Jurong East

We have recently gotten information that the Jurong Region Line (JRL) will integrate with the North South and East West lines at Jurong East station. Additionally, the JRL station will be an elevated one that will feature connections to the existing MRT station. A new bus interchange will be developed on the site of the former Jurong East bus interchange before it was demolished.

Station information

Source: Greenhilli

We have come across information that the Jurong Region Line will see close to 30 stations. Of these +/- 30 stations, 5 will allow passengers to change to other MRT lines. We presume that Choa Chu Kang and Boon Lay are part of these 5 stations.

Choa Chu Kang

Over the weekend, decided to do a mini walk around in Choa Chu Kang to determine possible corridors for the line to run along. There was pretty intense Soil Investigations along a stretch of road for a good distance. Now, we can't be too sure that these are for the Jurong Region Line (JRL) as they may be for a slew of other works - road widening, new road infrastructure - instead of Rapid Transit System (RTS) lines.

Soil investigation rig in front of Sunshine Court along
Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3

Projected timeline

Recently, we came across some new information on the expected timeline for the line and contract tender and award.

Source: LTA

Based on this, we can presume that the stations will be announced sometime between 2017 and 2018.

Source: HDB

Source: HDB

Additionally, these two documents from HDB show an indicative corridor for the JRL's 2001-era plan. The plot for the JRL depot may still be located at the same area as in the plans shown above.

Expected system details

The Jurong Region Line (JRL) is a rapid transit line being developed to serve the Jurong area and surrounding districts. In a notable H-shape, the line features several branches that link it to various districts. Based on the LTA definition for MRT and LRT systems, we assume that the JRL will be classified as an MRT line. LTA defines an LRT system as one that transports under 10,000 people per direction per hour (ppdph). Whereas an MRT system is one that transports over 10,000 ppdph. As such, this indicates that the distinction between systems lies in the passenger capacity rather than the mode (rubber-tyred or steel-wheeled).

In order to expedite the construction of the line, we believe that it will be an elevated line running with rubber tyres. This allows a quieter operation which can be brought along major roads close to residential areas. The LRT-like operation of the line could also allow more flexibility. An example of what we envision to be a similar system is the Yurikamome line in Japan which features a Mitsubishi Crystal Mover stock with 6 cars forming a single train. The flexibility of such a system is that it allows the capacity for branches with a more seasonal demand to be adjusted accordingly.

One branch of the JRL is intended to reach the Nanyang Technological University. This branch would see a more seasonal demand for service as the university has its teaching terms and holidays. This could lead to the over-provision of capacity if a fixed capacity system is used, typically that of the steel-wheeled, steel-railed train variety (current MRT lines). A rubber-tyred, concrete-track system allows flexibility with passenger cabins that are connected together as needed. For instance, the MIA Mover in Miami has Mitsubishi Crystal Mover cars in married pairs. Such a configuration could be joined into 4-car or 6-car formations as needed by the passenger demand.

We expect that the branches with higher demand would be the Choa Chu Kang and West Coast branches as these connect to existing estates with high passenger traffic. The creation of additional and alternative routes would allow the crowds to ease from the congestion present on the current routes available.