Expo MRT station (CG1/DT35) is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the East West line (EWL) and Downtown line (DTL) in the Tampines planning area, Singapore. The station lies between Changi City Point and the Singapore Expo, located along Changi South Avenue 1 at the junction of Expo Drive.
The station is part of the two-station branch line which extends from Tanah Merah to Changi Airport station. Plans to connect the EWL to Changi Airport were finalised in 1996 and construction began in 1999. The station opened on 10 January 2001, a year earlier than Changi Airport station. It later became the terminus for the DTL upon the completion of Stage 3 of that line in 2017. On 25 May 2019, it was announced that the station will be incorporated into the Thomson–East Coast line (TEL), which is planned to extend to the airport's Terminal 5 by 2040.
Architecture[]
The station's shell-shaped roof is derived from the section of a torus, as the eventual shape of the roof resembles a cylindrical cut perpendicular to the torus, while the shell roof is supported by two pairs of "Y" shaped twin columns separated by a 70 metre span in between. These columns are unique in that they are built outside the station platform and behind the train tracks.
Another distinctive feature is the large disc situated at the top of the glass elevator shaft, as seen in the photo on the right. The disc overhangs and terminates one end of the toroidal curved roof form, and contains an elevator shaft for the usage of the handicapped or needy. Its unusual shape lead some people to comment that it looked like a spaceship or UFO. This unique disc is the first of its kind in Singapore, although it was also used for the New Supreme Court building in downtown Singapore, which was opened in 2006.
History[]
Changi Branch Line (East West Line)[]
In 1994, there were plans to build a new rail connection to Changi Airport. The alignment of the two-station branch, which included Expo station, was finalised through an announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 15 November 1996. Contract 502 for the construction of Expo station and 1.4 kilometres (0.87 mi) of track was awarded to a joint venture between Penta-Ocean Construction Limited and L&M Prestressing Pte Ltd for S$62.6 million (US$37.4 million).
The station opened on 10 January 2001 upon the request of Singapore Expo, a year before the opening of Changi Airport station. As part of the President's Challenge 2001 in September, a part of a charity walk went through the tunnel between Expo and Changi Airport stations. The branch line was later extended to Changi Airport when that station opened on 8 February 2002. As with most of the older above-ground stations along the EWL, the station was built without platform screen doors (PSDs). The half-height PSDs at Expo station began installation on 20 June 2011 and started operations on 31 August.
Downtown Line[]
On 20 August 2010, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) that Stage 3 of the DTL (DTL3) would terminate at Expo station, where the DTL would interchange with the EWL. Contract 922 for the design and construction of Expo station and the overrun tunnels was awarded to Samsung C&T Corporation for S$211.35million (US$168 million) in May 2011. On 28 November 2011, the LTA marked the start of construction of DTL3 with a groundbreaking ceremony at Expo station.
To facilitate the construction of the DTL station and its tunnels, part of Changi South Avenue 1 towards Somapah Road and Changi South Avenue 2, together with a short section of Expo Drive, were temporarily closed to traffic from 2 October 2011 to May 2017. The construction of the station also involved the underpinning of two existing Expo MRT viaduct pier foundations. A transfer-beam was constructed before the excavation to support the two pillars and hydraulic jacks were installed on the transfer beam. Subsequently, the existing pilers were cut away. The underpinning works were carried out successfully without disruption to the EWL's operations.
On 31 May 2017, the LTA announced that the station, together with the rest of DTL3, would be opened on 21 October that year. Passengers were offered a preview of the station along with the other DTL 3 stations through an open house on 15 October.
Platforms[]
The EWL concourse.
East West Line:
Expo station has two elevated East-West Line platforms in an island platform arrangement. Half-height Platform screen doors are installed at the platform edge for the safety of commuters, and retrofitted High volume, low speed (HVLS) fans keep passengers cool. Passenger Information Systems, which are plasma display screens located at each platform, display expected train arrival times and key messages. Tactile flooring helps to guide the visually-handicapped from the platform to station exits. Escalators, lifts and stairs connect the Platform level to the Ticket Concourse level below.
Designed by British architectural firm Foster and Partners, the station has a large, blade-like roof over the platform supported by columns outside of the tracks, allowing for a spacious interior that is easily navigated. Internally, the polished metal roof surface reflects daylight down through the building, minimising the need for artificial lighting, while externally, the cladding deflects the suns rays, thus helping to create a microclimate on the platforms that is refreshingly up to four degrees cooler than the outside temperature.
East West Line train services operate as shuttle service between Tanah Merah and Changi Airport, necessitating a cross-platform transfer at Tanah Merah station for passengers heading towards other destinations. Train frequencies are 7 – 9 mins during peak hours, and 12 mins during off-peak hours.
The station is also unique in having faregates at platform level, serving a single lift that leads to unpaid areas of the ticket concourse.
An additional lift was built in 2017 from the Platform level to the Concourse level within the paid area to facilitate transfer to and from the Downtown Line.
The DTL platform.
Downtown Line:
Expo station has two platforms in an island platform arrangement. Full-height Platform screen doors isolate the air-conditioned station from the tunnel environment, enhancing commuter safety and station comfort. Platform D is used only for the alighting of passengers from trains arriving from Upper Changi. Trains will switch tracks further up the line and return to Platform C to pick up a fresh load of passengers for its next journey towards Bukit Panjang.
Passenger Information Systems, which are plasma display screens located at each platform, display expected train arrival times and key messages. Tactile flooring helps to guide the visually-handicapped from the platform to the station exits.
Concourse[]
The EWL concourse.
East West Line:
The station has a ticket concourse located at ground level. It features faregates for automatic fare collection and provides access between paid and unpaid areas of the station, with at least one bidirectional wide-swinging gate for the benefit of those carrying bulky items. Passengers who require lift access can use the lift within unpaid areas of the station, which leads to faregates on the Platform level.
General Ticketing Machines allow commuters to purchase tickets for single or multiple journeys, and along with Top Up Machines, offer contactless card transactions. The station office functions as a Passenger Service Centre, and is staffed during operating hours, where commuters may make travel inquiries.
The DTL concourse.
Downtown Line[]
The concourse features faregates for automatic fare collection and provides access between paid and unpaid areas of the station, with at least one bidirectional wide-swinging gate for the benefit of passengers-in-wheelchairs and those carrying bulky items or travelling with prams.
General Ticketing Machines allow commuters to purchase tickets for single or multiple journeys, and along with Top-up Machines, offer contactless card transactions. The station office functions as a Passenger Service Centre, and is staffed during operating hours, where commuters may make travel inquiries.
Art in transit[]
A Banquet by Yeo Chee Kiong
A Banquet by Yeo Chee Kiong
The artist meant for the two reflective isometric chairs and a bulbous speech balloon to not only signify the importance of organic communication in an era of technological advancement and digital media but also the spirit of free trade. Having the surrounding colours of the station reflected in the artwork’s shiny surfaces, transformed them into two sets of magnificent kaleidoscopes which also symbolises cultural exchange.
Station layout[]
| L2 Platforms |
Platform A | East West Line towards CG2 Changi Airport (→) |
| Island platform, doors will open on the right | ||
| Platform B | East West Line towards CG Tanah Merah (←) | |
| Lift Landing | Lift to Concourse, Lift Exit/ Entrance, Faregates | |
| L1 | Concourse | Faregates, Ticketing machines, Passenger Service Centre, Lift to Platform, Station exit |
| Street Level | Bus stops, Taxi stand, pick-up/drop-off point, Retail Shops | |
| B1 | Subway | Underpass, Retail Shops |
| Transfer Linkway | Paid transfer link between East West Line & Downtown Line stations | |
| B2 | DTL Concourse | Faregates, Ticketing machines, Passenger Service Centre, Lift to Platform |
| B3 | Platform D (Alighting Only) | Downtown Line (future service) towards DT37 Sungei Bedok via DT36 Xilin (→) |
| Platform C | Downtown Line towards DT1 Bukit Panjang via DT34 Upper Changi (←) | |
Exits[]
Expo MRT Station was initially opened with 2 exits for the East West Line. Subsequently, with the underpass redevelopment of Changi South Avenue 1 into the transfer linkway, the number of exits increases.
- A: Singapore Expo Halls 1-6
- B: Changi South Avenue 1, Expo Drive
- C: Singapore Expo Halls 7-10
- D: Changi Business Park
- E: Changi City Point, Changi South Avenue 1 (redeveloped access from spoilt version)
- F: Changi City Point (Basement access)
Passenger Usage Patterns[]
Expo has a passenger usage pattern that commuters can get comply filled up their seats even during peak periods. Serving Singapore Expo and Changi Business Park, Expo station encounters moderate to high demand during the regular peak hours (from employees heading in/out of Changi Business Park). During peak periods where major exhibitions are held at Singapore Expo, demand can be exceedingly high, and trains may be added to boost the capacity of the Changi Airport Branch line.
| Station | Route |
|---|---|
| EW1 Pasir Ris | Take bus service 20 to Tampines Bus Interchange, then take East West Line to Pasir Ris Station. |
| EW2 Tampines | Take bus service 20 to Tampines Bus Interchange, from Changi South Avenue 1 (Expo MRT Station) |
| EW3 Simei | Take bus service 20 to Simei Street 3 (Simei Station) |
| EW4 Tanah Merah | Take bus service 24 to New Upper Changi Road (Tanah Merah Station) |
| EW5 Bedok | Take bus service 24 to New Upper Changi Road (Bedok Station) |
| NS8 Marsiling | Take bus service 118 to Tampines Avenue 10 (opp IKEA), then take bus service 969 to Yishun Avenue 2 (Khatib Station), then take North South Line to Marsiling Station. |
| NS9 Woodlands | Take bus service 118 to Tampines Avenue 10 (opp IKEA), then take bus service 168 to Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange |
| NS10 Admiralty | Take bus service 118 to TPE Rest Stop, then take bus service 969 to Woodlands Avenue 7 (Admiralty Station) |
| NS11 Sembawang | Take bus service 118 to TPE Rest Stop, then take bus service 969 to Yishun Avenue 2 (Khatib Station), then take bus service 117 to Sembawang Interchange. |
| NS13 Yishun | Take bus service 118 to TPE Rest Stop, then take bus service 969 to Yishun Avenue 2 (Yishun Station). |
| NS14 Khatib | Take bus service 118 to TPE Rest Stop, then take bus service 969 to Yishun Avenue 2 (Khatib Station) |
| NE14 Hougang | Take bus service 118 to Tampines Avenue 10 (bef Tampines Road), then take bus service 72 to Hougang Central (Hougang MRT Station) |
| NE16 Sengkang | Take bus service 118 to Tampines Avenue 10 (opp IKEA), then take bus service 27 to Sengkang MRT Station |
| NE17 Punggol | Take bus service 118 to Punggol Interchange. |
| NE18 Punggol North | Take bus service 118 to TPE Rest Stop, then take bus service 34 to Punggol North Bus Interchange. |
| CC10 MacPherson | Take bus service 24 to Upper Paya Lebar Road (MacPherson Station) |
| CC11 Tai Seng | Take bus service 24 to Upper Paya Lebar Road (Tai Seng Station) |
| DT31 Huang Wen | Take bus service 118 to Tampines Avenue 1 (SAFRA Tampines) |
| Platform | Destinations |
|---|---|
| East West Line Platform 2 |
EWL (Eastbound, change at Tanah Merah) – Pasir Ris EWL (Westbound, change at Tanah Merah) – Bedok, Bugis, City Hall, Raffles Place, Buona Vista, Dover, Clementi, Jurong East & Boon Lay NSL (Northbound, change at Raffles Place) – Dhoby Ghaut, Somerset, Orchard NSL (Northbound, change at Bishan and Paya Lebar) – Ang Mo Kio & Yio Chu Kang NSL (Northbound, change at Jurong East) – Choa Chu Kang CCL (change at Paya Lebar) – Promenade & Esplanade DTL (change at Bugis) – Bayfront |
| Downtown Line Platform D |
DTL - Xilin and Sungei Bedok |
| Downtown Line Platform C |
CCL - Serangoon & Bishan (change at MacPherson) DTL - Upper Changi, Tampines East, Tampines, Tampines West, Bedok Reservoir |
Alternative Routes[]
Bus Stops[]
| No. | Bus stop | Exit | Bus Routes |
| B/s 1 | 96311 – Changi Sth Ave 1 (Opp Yusen Logistics) | B | 118 |
| B/s 2 | 96319 – Changi Sth Ave 1 (Yusen Logistics) | B | 118 |
| B/s 3 | 96039 – Upp Changi Rd East (Expo Halls 4/5/6) | A | 24, 38 |
| B/s 4 | 96031 – Upp Changi Rd East (Opp Expo Halls 4/5/6) | A | 24, 38 |
| B/s 5 | 96301 - Changi South Ave 1 (Expo Stn Exit B) | B | 20 |
| B/s 6 | 96309 - Changi South Ave 1 (Expo Stn Exit E) | E | 20 |
Pick-up points[]
| Exit | Road | Provisions |
| A | Expo Drive (Expo Hall 6 driveway) | Taxi stand, Pick-up/drop-off point |
| B | Changi South Avenue 1 (Northbound) | Taxi stand, Pick-up/drop-off point |
| B | Changi South Avenue 1 (Changi City Point driveway) | Taxi stand, Pick-up/drop-off point |
Transport connections[]
Rail[]
| Destination | First Train | Last Train | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon – Sat | Sunday & Public Holiday |
Daily | ||||
| East West Line | ||||||
| to Tanah Merah | 5.36am | 6.04am | – | |||
| to Changi Airport | 5.23am | 5.49am | 11.54pm | |||
| to Pasir Ris | – | – | 12.11am | |||
| to Tuas Plaza | – | – | 11.23pm | |||
| Downtown Line | ||||||
| to Bukit Panjang | 5.36am | 5.54am | 11.40pm | |||
| to Timothy ION | 6.23am | 6.43am | 12.44am | |||
Gallery[]
External links[]
- Template:Official website
Template:Commons
| {{{header}}} |
|---|
| {{{body}}} |

