Simei MRT station

Simei
 EW3 


四美
ஸீமெய்
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station
The exterior of Simei station.
General information
Location30 Simei Street 3
Singapore 529888
Coordinates1°20′36.40″N 103°57′11.42″E / 1.3434444°N 103.9531722°E / 1.3434444; 103.9531722
Operated bySMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT Corporation)
Line(s)
  East–West Line
Platforms2 (1 island platform)
Tracks2
ConnectionsBus, Taxi
Construction
Structure typeElevated
Platform levels1
ParkingYes (Eastpoint Mall)
Bicycle facilitiesYes
AccessibleYes
History
Opened16 December 1989; 35 years ago (1989-12-16)
Closed7-10 December 2024 (track works for the East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID))
ElectrifiedYes
Previous namesTampines South
Passengers
June 202415,721 per day[1]
Services
Preceding station Mass Rapid Transit Following station
Tampines
towards Pasir Ris
 East–West Line Tanah Merah
towards Tuas Link
Location
Singapore MRT/LRT system map
Singapore MRT/LRT system map
Simei
Simei station in Singapore

Simei MRT station is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the East–West line in Tampines, Singapore. Operated by SMRT Trains, the station serves the eponymous Simei residential estate and Eastpoint Mall. Other nearby landmarks include Changkat Primary and Secondary School.

First announced in May 1982 as Tampines South, it was to be constructed as part of Phase II of the MRT system. The name was later changed in 1983. Before constructing the station, 15,000 square metres (18,000 sq yd) of land was acquired for viaducts leading to the station. It commenced operations on 17 December 1988 along with the other stations on the Tanah Merah–Pasir Ris stations stretch. In February 1995, an approaching train opened its doors too early as the train driver violated standard procedures, resulting in several people nearly falling. Accessibility enhancements were completed in July 2011 as well as additional bicycle parking facilities in October 2012. Half-height platform screen doors and high-volume low-speed fans were installed by August 2011 and the first quarter of 2013, respectively. Noise barriers were installed by 2018. The station was temporarily closed in December 2024 for tracks works for East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID).

The station has a "rib cage" roof design with a distinctive colour of nutmeg brown on its restricted areas and ceiling trunking box for easier identification.

History

[edit]

Simei station was first included in the early plans of the MRT system as Tampines South in May 1982.[2] It was later announced to be part of Phase II of the MRT in October 1983 as Simei station.[3]

Before the construction of the station, 15,000 square metres (18,000 sq yd) of land between Jalan Angin Laut and Sunbird Road was acquired in March 1985 to build viaducts to the station.[4] Several joint ventures between companies were prequalified for Contract 306 by May 1985, which detailed the construction of Changi Depot to Pasir Ris station, including Simei station.[5][6] Contract 306 was ultimately awarded to a joint venture between Resource Development Corporation (RDC) and Sata Kogyo for S$92 million (1986) (US$42.25 million) in March 1986.[7] Construction of the station began in May 1985.[8] Before it was opened publicly, there was a preview of the station for nearby residents.[9] The station was opened along with Tanah Merah to Pasir Ris stations on 17 December 1989. During the opening ceremony, then Minister of State for the Ministry of Communications and Ministry of Trade and Industry Mah Bow Tan addressed to a crowd of more than 300 guests in Simei station, with them proceeding to ride a train to Pasir Ris station.[10]

In June 1990, it was announced that Simei station would have three new footpaths leading to the station.[11] This came after a letter was published on The Straits Times revealing that residents of Harvey Avenue, Jalan Angin Laut and Sunbird Road had to walk on a grass verge (which became muddy when it rained as well as posing a risk for the elderly and young children during the night) to get to the station.[12] The footpaths connected the end of Sea Breeze Road to Simei Street 3 near Block 101, Jalan Angin Laut to Simei Street 3, and Sunbird Avenue to Simei Street 4 near Block 222.[11] Moreover, the station was criticised for its design in another letter sent to The Straits Times in 1992, claiming that commuter without umbrellas could only walk "along a half-metre wide platform next to plant bins" to the adjacent building compound[13] (Block 248). SMRT responded by revealing that there were plans to build a sheltered walkway between the station and Block 248 but it was put on hold as the land used was to be developed by the Housing and Development Board (HDB).[14]

On 23 February 1995, about 7:50 pm,[a] a train approaching the station opened its doors early when half of it was in the station. This resulted in people almost falling over as they thought the train had fully stopped. According to The New Paper, the railing of the viaduct was lower than the door level as well as its length between the door was less than 30 centimetres (0.98 ft), which was "less than the length of a stride".[15] SMRT responded by explaining that the driver of the train violated standard procedures as the doors of the train are normally supposed to be on 'automatic mode' (such that all of the doors open when the train fully enters a station). However, the driver accidentally activated 'manual mode', which allows the driver to open all of the doors as long as the train is not moving, which is meant to be used with prior permission.[16]

In 2008, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced an accessibility enhancement programme for ten stations,[b] including Simei. The programme included adding ramps, covered linkways, and taxi stands with wheelchair access. It was completed by July 2011 at a cost of S$116 million (2011) (US$92.23 million).[17] Simei station was the first batch of ten stations announced in 2010 to have additional bicycle parking facilities[c] as a response to the growing demand of bicycle parking spots.[18] The installation was completed in October 2012.[19] As with most of the elevated stations along the East–West line, the station was initially built without platform screen doors. Following a rise in track intrusions as well as commuters slipping when rushing for the train, the LTA and SMRT decided to install platform screen doors.[20] After several successful tests at Jurong East, Yishun and Pasir Ris stations, half-height platform screen doors were eventually installed and commenced operations at Simei station by August 2011.[21] The station was installed with high-volume low-speed fans by the first quarter of 2013.[22] Noise barriers were installed on the viaducts from Simei Street 3 to Harvey Crescent by Precise Development Pte Ltd[23] as part of $17 million contract awarded in December 2013 to reduce sounds generated by trains.[24] It was installed by 2018.[25]

As a part of track works for the East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID), it was announced by the LTA in November 2024 that Simei station would not be in operation between 7-10 December 2024 as it is part of a safety buffer zone between Tampines and Tanah Merah stations where power has to be turned off in order for the third rail to be safely removed.[26] On 9 December, it was announced that passengers services to the affected stations resumed as the works were done ahead of schedule.[27]

Details

[edit]

Simei station is on the EWL with the station code of EW3, situated between Tampines and Tanah Merah station.[28] When it opened, it had the station code of E10[29] before being changed to its current station code in August 2001 as a part of a system-wide campaign to cater to the expanding MRT System.[30][31] As a part of the EWL, the station is operated by SMRT Trains.[32] Simei station and the estate it serves is a Pinyin romanization of four beauties in Chinese, which in turn was named after the Four Beauties of ancient China.[33]

The station is bounded by Simei Streets 1 and 3 as well as between Simei Streets 5 and 6.[34] Primarily serving the Simei residential estate, the station also serves other surrounding amenities such as Eastpoint mall, Changkat Primary and Secondary School, Changi Simei Community Club, and Changi Neighbourhood police centre.[35]

Like other stations on the Tanah Merah-Pasir Ris stretch, Simei station has the notable feature of the dome-shaped roof[d] over the platform level. The design was an attempt by the MRT Corporation (MRTC) to give the stations on the EWL an "attractive look".[36] It has a distinctive colour on the doors of restricted areas and ceiling trunking box on the platform to aid in identification, using nutmeg brown. The station also has a "rib cage" roof design similar to other stations on the EWL.[9]

The station's distinctive colour of nutmeg brown used on the ceiling trunking box

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The New Paper stated that the time was "about 7:45 pm".[15] However, given that The New Paper is a tabloid publication, the time on The Straits Times will be used.
  2. ^ The other stations are: Marsiling, Admiralty, Sembawang, Khatib, Yio Chu Kang, Lavender, Kembangan, Tanah Merah, and Chinese Garden.
  3. ^ The other stations are: Admiralty, Aljunied, Boon Lay, Khatib, Lakeside, Sembawang, Sengkang, Chinese Garden, and Yishun
  4. ^ The Straits Times have compared the roof to a caterpillar in one article and a rib cage in another article

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Land Transport DataMall". mytransport.sg. Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Proposed MRT stations". The Straits Times. 23 May 1982. p. 1. Retrieved 23 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  3. ^ "Phase 2 gets go-ahead to ensure continuity". The Straits Times. 26 October 1983. p. 8. Retrieved 14 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  4. ^ "Land acquired far MRT trackline".
  5. ^ "List of pre-qualified contractors — MRT Phase IIA, IIB". The Business Times (List). 14 May 1985. p. 3. Retrieved 5 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  6. ^ Yap, Boh Hoon (13 May 1985). "MRTC prequalifies 37 for 11 engineering contracts". The Business Times. p. 1. Retrieved 5 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  7. ^ "Time is the essence of these contracts". The Business Times. Singapore. 12 March 1986. p. 2. Retrieved 18 July 2023 – via NewspaperSG.
  8. ^ Lim, Edward (18 December 1987). "MRT will only come to the East in 1990". Weekend East. Singapore. p. 12. Retrieved 18 July 2023 – via NewspaperSG.
  9. ^ a b "Residents get sneak preview of three new MRT stations". The Straits Times. 15 December 1989. p. 32. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  10. ^ "Residents welcome MRT trains to eastern end of S'pore". The Straits Times. Singapore. 17 December 1989. p. 20. Retrieved 18 July 2023 – via NewspaperSG.
  11. ^ a b "Three new footpaths to be built in Simei". The Straits Times. 18 June 1990. p. 28. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  12. ^ "Build proper footpath to Simei station". The Straits Times. 6 June 1990. p. 26. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  13. ^ "Plan future MRT stations to be more user-friendly". The Straits Times. 25 November 1992. p. 28. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  14. ^ "More user-friendly MRT stations planned". The Straits Times. 4 December 1992. p. 36. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  15. ^ a b "'I could have fallen 2 storeys'". The New Paper. 23 February 1995. p. 6. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  16. ^ "Close shave for MRT passengers when doors open prematurely". The Straits Times. 23 February 1995. p. 3. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  17. ^ "LTA Completes Barrier Free Accessibility Enhancement". LTA. 23 October 2011. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  18. ^ "Look out for better bike facilities close to MRT stations | Press Room | Land Transport Authority". www.lta.gov.sg. 16 July 2012. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013.
  19. ^ "More Bicycle Parking Facilities with Enhanced Security Features at MRT Stations Islandwide | Press Room | Land Transport Authority". www.lta.gov.sg. 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014.
  20. ^ Wong, Siew Ying (26 January 2008). "Above-ground MRT stations to have platform screen doors by 2012". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  21. ^ "Completion of Half Height Platform Screen Doors on East West Line". LTA (Press release). 31 August 2011. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  22. ^ "Enhancing Connectivity and Comfort for Commuters". LTA. 13 October 2011. Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  23. ^ "Phase 1 of Railway Noise Barrier Installation Plans" (PDF). LTA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  24. ^ "Railway Noise Barrier Installation on Track". LTA. 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 15 May 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  25. ^ "Contract for Phase 3 of Railway Noise Barrier Programme Awarded". LTA. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  26. ^ Loi, Esther (5 November 2024). "No EWL train services between Tanah Merah and Tampines from Dec 7 to 10 due to track works". The Straits Times. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  27. ^ "MRT service at six stations on EWL resumes ahead of schedule".
  28. ^ "System Map" (PDF). Land Transport Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Going to N1, B3, W11, El2, anyone?". The Straits Times. 25 October 1985. p. 21. Retrieved 19 November 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  30. ^ Salim, Shazalina (3 August 2001). "Red, green and grey". Today. p. 9. Retrieved 15 December 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  31. ^ "New Signage System For MRT And LRT Network". LTA. Archived from the original on 1 August 2003. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  32. ^ "Getting Around – Public Transport – Rail Network". Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  33. ^ "Simei flats ready later this year". The Straits Times. 1 February 1986. p. 19. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  34. ^ "Simei – Map". SMRT. 28 September 2024. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  35. ^ "Simei – Exits". SMRT Journeys. 9 October 2024. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  36. ^ "Roof to make heads turn". The Straits Times. 20 April 1986. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
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