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Network /

Circle Line

The Circle Line (CCL) — colloquially referred to as the 'orange line' or the 'yellow line' — is the fourth MRT line to be introduced to the train network and is coloured orange on the system map.

This fully-underground MRT line is currently operated by SMRT Trains Ltd. and is designed to be a medium-capacity orbital rapid transit line.

First opened in 2009, the Circle Line has five stages and two extensions, and it was the world's longest fully underground and automated rapid transit line when it was first completed in 2012.

Spanning 39.7km across 33 stations, the Circle Line connects major MRT lines, bypassing the city centre, which became a complete circle, and closing the loop, in 2026 with three additional stations connecting HarbourFront and Marina Bay.

Utilising Alstom's Urbalis 300 Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, Circle Line trains are capable of fully-automated operations and can run without any train attendant on board.

The Art in Transit (AIT) programme is integrated across all stations. The artworks at Dakota, MacPherson, Tai Seng, Bartley, Lorong Chuan and Marymount stations were selected through the Circle Line AIT competition.

Six stations that interchange with existing train lines also feature Art Seats selected through the International Art Seats Design Competition at the Venice Biennale in 2006.

At a Glance

Circle Line

First opened 28 May 2009

39.7 kilometres with 33 stations

Medium-capacity line with 3-car trains

Fully-automatic train operation

The Circle Line (CCL) is operated by SMRT Trains.

First and Last Train Timings
Train Network Map
Train Service Status

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Line Diagram

Circle Line (CCL) Line Diagram

Rolling Stock

Alstom Metropolis C830 ›
Alstom Metropolis C830C ›
Alstom Metropolis C851E ›

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Stations

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History

Initial plans

In the 1990s, the Circle Line, then named the Marina Line, was planned as a 12-station line from Chinatown. Plans then evolved to include the sector between Dhoby Ghaut to Stadium, and a part of the Marina Line from Chinatown to Promenade became part of the Downtown Line (DTL).

Constructions for the Circle Line began in 2003 and were initially scheduled to open progressively from 2006 till 2010. It is designed as an orbital train line that links all existing MRT lines, allowing commuters to avoid the city centre when transferring between lines.

Kim Chuan Depot

The Kim Chuan Depot (KCD), situated in the vicinity of Hougang Avenue 3 and Kim Chuan Road, is the world's first rapid transit train depot built specifically for driverless passenger trains.

The KCD is 800 metres long by 160 metres wide, and sits just 17 metres below the ground. At 11 hectares in size, the KCD is capable of stabling up to 77 three-car MRT trains.

All train movement within the KCD can be controlled centrally from the Depot Control Centre. The KCD also provides cleaning and maintenance services for all the trains and systems of the Circle Line.

An Alstom Metropolis C830C train for the Circle Line (CCL) stabling at Kim Chuan Depot (KCD).

Nicoll Highway Collapse

The collapse of the Nicoll Highway on 20 April 2004 was caused by the construction of the Circle Line tunnels near the Merdeka Bridge.

A part of the retaining wall failed to handle the stress of holding the tunnel and gave way, which resulted in a 30-metre cave-in of the road above.

As a result of the incident, three people were injured, and four people passed away;

  • Vadivil s/o Nadeson, a crane operator;
  • Liu Rong Quan, a construction worker;
  • John Tan Lock Yong, a LTA engineer; and
  • Heng Yeow Peow, a foreman.

The Nicoll Highway was reconstructed and re-opened to traffic on 4 December 2004, while the new alignment of the Circle Line shifted the Nicoll Highway station about 100m away from the original location.

The station was reduced to two-thirds of its original size and was subsequently opened on 17 April 2010 with the rest of the Circle Line stage 1 & 2 stations.

Circle Line Stage 3

Following the Nicoll Highway collapse in 2004, the line's opening was delayed by a few years.

The 5.7-kilometre long Circle Line stage 3, running from Bartley to Marymount, opened for passenger service on 28 May 2009.

Commuters in the north can travel conveniently to the northeast region and vice-versa through the two interchanges to the North-South Line (NSL) and North East Line (NEL) at Bishan and Serangoon, respectively.

Circle Line Stage 1 & 2

The 5.4-kilometre long Circle Line stage 1, from Dhoby Ghaut to Stadium, and the 5.6-kilometre long Circle Line stage 2, from Mountbatten to Tai Seng, opened for passenger service on 17 April 2010.

The Circle Line stage 1 & 2 allows commuters to transfer to the East-West Line (EWL) at Paya Lebar and provides convenient access to the Marina centre region.

Circle Line Stage 4 & 5

The 9.8-kilometre long Circle Line stage 4, from Caldecott to Kent Ridge, and the 6.8-kilometre long Circle Line stage 5, from Haw Par Villa to HarbourFront, opened for passenger service on 8 October 2011.

It brings better connectivity from Marymount to both Buona Vista and HarbourFront stations and enables quick access to the West Coast region.

It also serves as an alternate travel route to Jurong East when transferring between the NSL and EWL.

Line Extensions

Circle Line Extension – CCLe

The 2.4-kilometre long Circle Line Extension (CCLe) opened for passenger service on 14 January 2012 and extended from Promenade to Marina Bay station.

The CCLe was opened in anticipation of the increased demand due to the new Marina Bay Sands integrated resort opening adjacent to Bayfront station.

Circle Line Stage 6 – CCL6

The three-station 4-kilometre long Circle Line Stage 6 (CCL6), connecting HarbourFront to Marina Bay stations, will complete the loop of the Circle Line.

The CCL6 was initially slated for completion by 2025, however the Transport Minister said in parliament on 5 March 2021 that the opening is pushed back by a year to 2026 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To cope with increased ridership in the future, the KCD will also be expanded to double its capacity from 70 to 133 trains.

LTA announced on 14 May 2026 that CCL6 will open for passenger service on 12 July 2026, completing the loop of the Circle Line with three new MRT stations between HarbourFront and Marina Bay stations.

Timeline of Events

Date Project Description
28 May 2009 Stage 3 Bartley - Marymount (5 stations)
17 April 2010 Stage 1 & 2 Bartley - Dhoby Ghaut (11 stations)
8 October 2011 Stage 4 & 5 Marymount - HarbourFront (12 stations)
14 January 2012 Circle Line Extension Promenade - Marina Bay (2 stations)
12 July 2026 Stage 6 HarbourFront - Marina Bay (3 stations)
Future Future stations between existing stations Bukit Brown station between Caldecott and Botanic Gardens

Facts + Figures

Type
Medium-capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
Stations / Length
30 stations / 39.7 km (currently operational)
Dhoby Ghaut to HarbourFront - 33.3 km
Circle Line Extension - 2 stations / 2.4 km
Stage 6 - 3 stations / 4.0 km
Depots
Kim Chuan Depot
Train Length
3 cars
Track Gauge
Standard gauge (1,435 mm)
Electrification
750 V DC from third rail
Operation Type
Fully-automated operation
Signalling System
Moving-block Alstom Urbalis 300 CBTC

The following are links to other web pages with additional information on this topic.