Branch MRT line

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Branch line (Singapore MRT)
Laluan MRT Cawangan
Overview
OwnerMass Rapid Transit Corporation
Termini
Stations4
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemMass Rapid Transit (Singapore)
Services1
Operator(s)Singapore MRT Limited
Rolling stockKawasaki Heavy Industries C151 (KHI)
Siemens C651 (SIE)
History
Opened10 March 1990; 34 years ago (1990-03-10)
Closed10 February 1996; 28 years ago (1996-02-10) (merged with the North South line)
Technical
Line length6.5 km (4.0 mi)
CharacterFully elevated
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail
Operating speedLimit of 80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map

 B3 
Choa Chu Kang
Choa Chu Kang Avenue
Bukit Batok Road
 B2 
Bukit Gombak
 B1 
Bukit Batok
 W9 
Jurong East

The Branch MRT line was originally the third Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore, initially operated as a branch to the existing East–West Line. The line was 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) long with four stations, and was operated by the SMRT Corporation. Travelling from one end of this line to the other end took about ten minutes, and the line was coloured brown and khaki on the rail map. The line is now part of the North–South Line, making it the only defunct line in Singapore.[1]

The line used to terminate at the centre track at Jurong East (then platforms C/D, now D/E). Trains operated at a six-minute frequency.

History[edit]

The line was conceptualized as the Western line during the early planning stages of the Singapore MRT network.[2]

On 7 January 1986, the Taiwanese RSEA International and Hock Lian Seng Joint Venture were awarded the contract for the Branch MRT line stations – Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak, and Choa Chu Kang.

The line started operations on 10 March 1990, and was named the Branch line, consisting of four stations. The line was subsequently merged into the North–South Line when the Woodlands MRT Extension opened on 10 February 1996, connecting the existing North–South Line at Yishun to the Branch line at Choa Chu Kang.[3] The station codes for Bukit Batok to Choa Chu Kang stations were changed to N23, N22 and N21 respectively, subsequently to their current code on the North South line with the revamp of the system map on 31 July 2001.[4]

Stations[edit]

Station Number Station Name Interchange
W9 Jurong East East West line
B1 Bukit Batok N/A
B2 Bukit Gombak
B3 Choa Chu Kang

References[edit]

  1. ^ "History of the Singapore MRT | Land Transport Guru". Land Transport Guru. 2016-02-29. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  2. ^ Singapore, National Library Board. "Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system | Infopedia". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  3. ^ Singapore, National Library Board. "Woodlands MRT station | Infopedia". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  4. ^ "Singapore MRT Evolution 2017 extended (4K)". YouTube.