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North East Line

The North East Line (NEL) — colloquially known as the 'purple line' — is the third MRT line to be introduced to the train network and is coloured purple on the system map.

Operated by SBS Transit Ltd., the North East Line is the world's first fully underground and automated rapid transit line, currently spanning 22km with 17 stations, providing direct connection from the northeast region to the city centre.

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

Since 2003, the North East Line is the pioneering train line in the world to utilise a two-way radio CBTC signalling system with Alstom's IAGO waveguide information network for fail-safe operations.

The North East Line is the first train line in Singapore to feature artworks at all 17 stations through the Art in Transit (AIT) programme.

At a Glance

North East Line

First opened 20 June 2003

22 kilometres with 17 stations

High capacity line with 6-car trains

Fully-automatic train operation

The North East Line (NEL) is operated by SBS Transit.

First and Last Train Timings
Train Network Map
Train Service Status

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Line Diagram

North East Line (NEL) Line Diagram

Rolling Stock

Alstom Metropolis C751A ›

Alstom Metropolis C751C ›

Alstom Metropolis C851E (NEL) ›

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Stations

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History

Early stages

The alignment of the North East Line has been established in a study in 1986, with the stations' location refined through discussions between the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and other government agencies such as the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Housing & Development Board (HDB).

As part of Singapore's plan to provide a highly attractive public transport system with an extensive rail network in Singapore, LTA announced in January 1996 the go-ahead for the construction of the $5 billion North East Line project.

Constructions for the North East Line began on 25 November 1997 and was expected to be completed in 2002 with an initial ridership of around 250,000 daily.

The contract to operate the North East Line was awarded to SBS Transit in 1999, formerly known as SBS.

Initially planned for opening in December 2002, technical issues with the system pushed the opening date back by almost six months.

The North East Line officially opened on 20 June 2003 with 14 stations from HarbourFront to Punggol, while Buangkok and Woodleigh stations remained closed as areas around both stations were relatively undeveloped.

Sengkang Depot

Spanning 27 hectares, the size of about 45 football fields, and stretching over 1km and 400m wide, the Sengkang Depot can house up to 44 North East Line trains. The Operations Control Centre, the brain of the entire North East Line, is also located within Sengkang Depot.

Key features of the depot include a maintenance bay where a six-car train can be lifted to 1.5m with a push of a button, a fully automated warehouse that stores spare parts needed for the maintenance of the trains, as well as a 1.6km test track within the depot compounds.

An Alstom Metropolis C751C train for the North East Line (NEL) at Sengkang Depot (SKD).

Buangkok Station

Buangkok station opened three years later on 15 January 2006 after much pressure from the public. Ridership at this station was lower than expected, resulting in operating losses for this station in the initial years.

Woodleigh Station

With new developments around Woodleigh station, and the increase of ridership from the opening of the Circle Line (CCL), the final station of the line opened on the eighth anniversary of the North East Line, 20 June 2011.

Line Extensions

North East Line Extension – NELe

The North East Line will be extended 2km northwards from Punggol station to Punggol Coast station by 2024, serving the Northshore District, Punggol Point District and Punggol Digital District. It will also serve Singapore's pilot Enterprise District comprising of JTC Corporation's mixed-use developments and also the new campus of Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT).

The contract to build the new station and the 830m long tunnels was awarded by LTA to China State Construction Engineering Corporation on 8 December 2017, with constructions starting in the same month. The NELe project was initially slated for completion by 2023 but was pushed back by a year due to the pandemic, as announced by the Transport Minister in November 2020 at the Punggol Coast station tunnel breakthrough event.

The Punggol Coast station and extension opened on 10 December 2024.

Timeline of Events

Date Project Description
20 June 2003 North East Line HarbourFront - Punggol (14 stations)
15 January 2006 Buangkok station Opening of Buangkok station between Hougang and Sengkang
20 June 2011 Woodleigh station Opening of Woodleigh station between Potong Pasir and Serangoon
10 December 2024 North East Line Extension Punggol - Punggol Coast (1 station)

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Facts + Figures

Type
High capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
Stations / Length
17 stations / 22.0 km (currently operational)
HarbourFront to Punggol Coast - 20.0 km
North East Line Extension - 1 station / 2.0 km
Depots
Sengkang Depot
Train Length
6 cars
Track Gauge
Standard gauge (1,435 mm)
Electrification
1,500 V DC from overhead catenary
Operation Type
Fully-automated operation
Signalling System
Moving-block Alstom Urbalis 300 CBTC

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

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