Progress of Circle Line MRT Tunnel Reinforcement Works
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the progress of Circle Line tunnel reinforcement works, with MP Gerald Giam Yean Song inquiring about steel ring installation status and whether the April 2026 completion date can be expedited. Acting Minister Jeffrey Siow reported that 50% of installations were finished by February 2026 and clarified that the timeline cannot be advanced due to work complexity and safety priorities. Regarding travel delays, Acting Minister Jeffrey Siow stated that fare rebates will not be offered because alternative transport options are provided and maintenance is essential for an ageing rail network. He emphasized that these works are necessary to ensure the long-term reliability and financial sustainability of the public transport system. The Ministry remains on track to complete works by 19 April 2026 while monitoring and adjusting services to minimize commuter inconvenience.
Transcript
9 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) what is the current percentage of steel rings installed for the Circle Line tunnel reinforcement works; (b) whether any technical issues have been encountered to date; and (c) whether the Ministry can bring forward the April 2026 completion date to reduce the daily 10 to 20 minute travel delay per trip for affected commuters.
The Acting Minister for Transport (Mr Jeffrey Siow): Mr Speaker, the tunnel strengthening works for the Circle Line are progressing as planned. As at end-February 2026, about 50% of the required steel rings have been installed.
Works are being carried out at a pace that will ensure the safety of our workers and commuters, and we remain on schedule to complete them by 19 April 2026, which is what we have committed. We will continue to monitor and adjust our train and shuttle bus services to minimise inconvenience to commuters.
Mr Speaker: Mr Giam.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): I thank the Acting Minister for the reply. Just two supplementary questions. First, is there any chance that it can be brought forward, so that commuters do not have to be inconvenienced for so long?
Secondly, a 10- to 20-minute delay in a trip translates to about two and a half hours of extra travel time per week for commuters along the Circle Line who go to and from work, and in view of this time loss and the extra distance travelled in fares for alternative routes, has the Ministry considered requiring operators to provide fare rebates or discounts for commuters affected by these service adjustments, as a form of accountability for the inconvenience caused and reimbursement for the extra cost incurred for this, and also for future MRT rail renewal works?
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Mr Speaker, I thank the Member for his question. We are trying our best to keep to the project timelines. At the moment, our assessment is that it remains on track, that it is not possible for us to bring the project timelines forward. This is really because the works are complex and we want to ensure that the safety of the workers and the people involved are prioritised. So, we are not rushing the project. We are on time to do so.
On his second question, I think what we have done is to provide alternatives for our commuters as far as we can. There are adjustments that commuters will have to make in terms of their travel routes, but there are alternatives on both the train and the buses, and these are sufficient for us to accommodate the alternative travel plans that commuters need to make, whenever we have to do these works.
Going forward, we will have to do these works across the board, for the network, in a more intensive and widespread fashion, because our train network is ageing. And so, we seek the commuters' support and understanding that this is quite normal. I think no other train system in the world offers travel rebates when doing such maintenance works; and I think it is commonly accepted that this is part of the way we try to do our best to sustain the efficiency, the reliability, as well as the financial sustainability of the public transport system.