Singapore (VNA) - Singapore has continued to promote public transport through user-friendly and sustainable initiatives.

Most recently, it broke ground on Phase 2 of the Cross Island Line (CRL), expected to be operational by 2032.

At the groundbreaking ceremony in Clementi early this week , Acting Minister of Transport Jeffrey Siow said technical studies for Phase 3 of the CRL are nearing completion, with detailed plans for future stations, particularly those serving the Jurong Industrial Estate, to be released by late 2025.

Describing the CRL as Singapore’s next “outer ring” MRT line, Siow emphasised that it will provide commuters with more route options and resilience in case of service disruptions or maintenance.

Spanning 50 km with 21 stations, the CRL will be Singapore’s longest MRT line, fully integrated into the current network with eight interchanges. Phase 1, with 12 stations from Aviation Park to Bright Hill, opens in 2030. A four-station extension from Pasir Ris to Punggol follows in 2032. Phase 2 covers 15 km from Turf City to Jurong Lake, including Singapore’s deepest underground station at King Albert Park, 50 metres below ground.

The CRL is part of sustained investment in urban transport. In June, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong marked the opening of Phase 4 of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), noting rail coverage has grown from 67 km to over 240 km. More than 50 stations will be added, including the Jurong Region Line and the CRL. By the 2030s, 80% of households are expected to live within a 10-minute walk of an MRT station.

Like other lines, the CRL is commuter-friendly. It will shorten travel times and handle at least 600,000 daily trips, rising to 1 million over time.

Urban rail is costly. Singapore has committed 16.6 billion USD to the CRL, including 4 billion USD for Phase 2 stations and tunnels. Yet land near MRT stations attracts developers, with above-average rental yields. Car ownership restrictions further drive demand for homes near stations.

Office buildings and malls are investing in direct MRT linkways to enhance convenience and competitiveness. These connections also boost rental value and sales performance.

Singapore’s hot, rainy climate makes sheltered walkways especially useful. Linking residential blocks to stations and bus stops, they protect pedestrians from sun and rain while encouraging public transport use. Some feature solar lighting and greenery for urban cooling.

Singapore also maintains high standards across its network. A key feature is its unified contactless payment system. Commuters use Ezlink, SimplyGo, bank apps, cards or smart devices to tap in and out within seconds, with multiple lanes reducing queues.

Singapore’s MRT and bus systems consistently rank among the worl✱d’s best for cleanliness, safety and accessibility, offering lifts, escalators, air conditioning and clean restrooms maintained daily./.