Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced the conversion of three East-West Line (EWL) MRT stations—Tanah Merah, Expo, and Changi Airport—to the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), as part of ongoing efforts to enhance rail connectivity to Changi Airport.
The conversion will take place under the Thomson-East Coast Line extension (TELe), which adds 14 km to the TEL network from Sungei Bedok to a new TEL–Cross Island Line (CRL) interchange station at Changi Terminal 5. From there, TEL will be extended to Tanah Merah station, incorporating the existing EWL stretch between Changi Airport and Tanah Merah into the TEL system.
Once complete, passengers travelling from Changi Airport or the upcoming Terminal 5 will have direct access to the TEL network, improving travel options between the airport and city centre.
Preparatory works to convert Tanah Merah into an interchange station began in 2016. The upcoming works to reconfigure Tanah Merah, Expo, and Changi Airport as TEL stations will involve system upgrades, including track modifications, platform screen door changes, and control system integration.
LTA noted that adjustments to train services along the affected section of the East-West Line will be necessary during this transition. Further details on these changes will be announced later.