Singapore MRT 2026: Circle Line Stage 6 Opening, Extended CNY Services & New Developments

2026 is set to be a landmark year for Singapore's public transport network, with several major developments that will transform how commuters travel across the island. From the long-awaited completion of the Circle Line loop to extended festive services, here's everything you need to know about what's coming.

Circle Line Stage 6: Finally Closing the Loop

After years of anticipation, the Circle Line will finally become a complete loop in the first half of 2026. The 4-kilometre Circle Line Stage 6 (CCL6) extension will connect HarbourFront and Marina Bay stations through three brand new stations:

• Keppel (CC30) - Located across from Keppel Distripark, this station features Singapore's first underground bicycle park with accessible ramps, promoting car-lite living
• Cantonment (CC31) - Sensitively integrated with the heritage-listed Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, this stop serves the arts and cultural precinct including the Singapore Art Museum
• Prince Edward Road (CC32) - Built along Shenton Way near the CBD, this station completes the circle between HarbourFront and Marina Bay

To support the expanded network, 23 new Circle Line trains have been added, increasing the fleet by 36% from 64 to 87 trains. The Kim Chuan Depot has also been expanded to nearly double its capacity from 70 to 133 trains.

Once operational, peak hour trains will run the full loop from Dhoby Ghaut to Prince Edward Road, eliminating the current practice of terminating services at Pasir Panjang or Paya Lebar.

Chinese New Year Eve 2026: Extended Train Services

Commuters celebrating Chinese New Year can travel later into the night on February 16, 2026, with train services extended across most MRT lines:

SMRT Lines

• North-South Line: Last trains at 2:09am (City Hall to Jurong East) and 1:54am (to Marina South Pier)
• East-West Line: Final trains at 2:14am (City Hall to Pasir Ris) and 1:59am (to Tuas Link)
• Circle Line: Last departures at 1:28am from Dhoby Ghaut and 1:15am from HarbourFront
• Thomson-East Coast Line: Final trains at 1:30am from Woodlands North and 1:42am from Bayshore

SBS Transit Lines

• North East Line: Last trains at 1:55am (HarbourFront to Punggol Coast) and 2:17am (Serangoon to Punggol Coast)
• Downtown Line: Final departures at 2:44am (Botanic Gardens to Bukit Panjang) and 2:05am (to Expo)

Note: Bukit Panjang LRT and Changi Airport services will maintain regular schedules.

Selected bus services will also be extended, with last departures between 2:50am and 3:20am from major interchange points including Choa Chu Kang, Woodlands, Bukit Panjang, and Boon Lay.

Brickland MRT Station: Construction Begins

Construction works for the new Brickland MRT station on the North-South Line will commence in 2026. Located between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Gombak stations, Brickland will serve residents of the new Brickland Weave BTO housing development in Singapore's western region.

While construction begins this year, commuters will need to be patient - the station is expected to open only in the 2030s, with a target completion date of 2034.

Additionally, a new interchange station at Sungei Kadut (between Yew Tee and Kranji) will connect the North-South Line to the Downtown Line, also expected to open in the 2030s.

Other 2026 Developments

Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 5

Scheduled for the second half of 2026, TEL Stage 5 will add three new stations: Xilin, Bedok South, and Sungei Bedok. The latter will serve as an interchange with the Downtown Line Extension.

Singapore-JB RTS Link

The highly anticipated Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link is targeted for completion by end-2026, with an official opening date of January 1, 2027.

New Trains and Buses

All 106 Alstom MOVIA R151 trains for the North-South and East-West Lines should be delivered by 2026. Additionally, 660 new electric buses (360 single-deck and 300 double-deck) will begin arriving progressively from end-2026.

Autonomous Shuttles

Autonomous shuttle services will launch in Punggol by mid-2026, with pilot buses on services 400 and 191 beginning in the second half of the year.

Circle Line Tunnel Works Reminder

Until April 19, 2026, commuters on the Circle Line should continue to expect delays of up to 30 minutes during peak hours due to ongoing tunnel strengthening works between Mountbatten, Dakota, and Paya Lebar stations. Shuttle bus services are available during this period.

For real-time updates on train services, check the SMRT and SBS Transit mobile apps or visit our train service status page.