Jeffrey Siow: Shuttle Buses Will Support Circle Line Commuters During Tunnel Works

Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow has acknowledged that the upcoming Circle Line tunnel strengthening works "will be one of our longest scheduled service adjustments to date," while announcing comprehensive shuttle bus services to help affected commuters navigate the 93-day disruption period.

Minister's Statement on Service Disruption

In a statement issued on December 1, Mr Siow said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) understands the works "will inconvenience more commuters than usual." However, he explained that the scheduled adjustment is necessary to create a longer and uninterrupted period for maintenance works.

"This will enable us to complete the works faster, and will also be much safer for our workers," he added, emphasising the importance of worker safety in the decision to proceed with a single, continuous tunnel closure rather than multiple shorter disruptions.

Four Shuttle Bus Services Announced

To support commuters during the works scheduled from January 17 to April 19, 2026, LTA will deploy four dedicated shuttle bus services during weekday peak periods. These services will commence operations from January 5, 2026—nearly two weeks before the tunnel works begin—allowing commuters time to familiarise themselves with the alternative routes.

• Shuttle Bus 38: Connects Paya Lebar and Stadium MRT stations, operating from 6:30am to 9:30am and 5pm to 8pm at 6 to 10-minute intervals
• Shuttle Bus 37A: One-way morning service from Serangoon to Paya Lebar via Tai Seng and Macpherson, operating from 7am to 9am at 3 to 5-minute intervals
• Shuttle Bus 37B: One-way evening service from Tai Seng to Bishan, operating from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at 3 to 5-minute intervals
• Shuttle Bus 37C: One-way evening service from Tai Seng to Serangoon, operating from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at 3 to 5-minute intervals

The shuttle buses will charge the same fares as regular train journeys, ensuring no additional cost burden on affected commuters.

Understanding the Works

The tunnel strengthening works are required to address a phenomenon known as "tunnel squatting"—where soft marine clay gradually compresses, causing circular tunnels to become more elliptical over time. Three tunnel sectors between Stadium and Paya Lebar have been identified as significantly affected.

During the works, the stretch between Mountbatten, Dakota, and Paya Lebar stations will be affected. Two parallel tunnels will be closed one at a time, with affected stations operating on a single platform. Shuttle trains will run at 10-minute intervals—significantly longer than the usual 3-minute frequency.

Broader Context: More Closures Expected

Mr Siow has previously indicated that Singaporeans should expect longer and more frequent planned MRT closures in the coming years, as the rail network ages and requires extended maintenance time for major upgrades.

Speaking at the International Metro Operators' Summit, he described the maintenance challenge as "Sisyphean," noting that the current nightly maintenance window of 3.5 hours shrinks to barely two hours after setup and cleanup—"hardly enough to prepare for the next day, let alone carry out upgrades."

The Minister highlighted three widening gaps facing Singapore's aging MRT system: insufficient maintenance time, slow technology adoption, and a shortage of younger talent in the rail sector.

Recommended Alternative Routes

LTA has suggested the following alternatives during the service adjustments:

• North East Line: Take NEL to Outram Park for East-West Line connections
• HarbourFront route: Take NEL to HarbourFront for alternate Circle Line transfers
• Regular bus services: Existing bus routes serving the affected areas remain operational throughout the day

What to Expect

Commuters should factor in additional waiting times of up to 30 minutes during peak hours, particularly at interchange stations such as Bishan, Serangoon, and Buona Vista. LTA will conduct roadshows at selected Circle Line stations before the service adjustments begin, and additional station staff will be deployed to assist commuters.

For real-time updates during the works, commuters are advised to check LTA's MyTransport.SG app and official social media channels.