Tuesday, March 12, 2019

That 20 minute Delay on Downtown Line 3 Open House

This is an uber #throwback post, which had remained in my draft folder since October 2017. Thought I would just complete it.

On 21 October 2017, the third phase of Downtown Line (DTL3) opened to much fanfare. In many stations along the DTL3 route, various activities engaged the curious commuters who had come forward to try out a transportation option that would become the main daily option for many.


Eunos Grassroots Leaders joined in the official launch by Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health Dr Lam Pin Min at the Fort Canning station.



The Knack Stop booth retailed souvenir items that Singaporeans who take public transport would easily relate to.



Celebrities galore.


SMS Dr Lam Pin Min was joined by various Grassroots Advisers of constituencies which had a new DTL3 station. Aljunied GRC was represented by Grassroots Advisers Victor Lye and Chua Eng Leong.


The Civil Defence shelter at Bedok Reservoir Station was open for tours.





There were activity books given to children too!


The exuberance of the official launch was probably doused temporarily by a track fault which lasted for about 20 minutes. As the door closing chime rang off, signalling the resuming of train service, I exchanged eye contact with this stranger and we both nodded to each other. A shared sense of relief at the service recovery on Open House day, as what I posted on fb that day:



If I could just rewind a little... to the 31 May 2017, where I was fortunate to join in a preview of a tour to Fort Canning, Bencoolen and MacPherson stations.



Each station bears a distinct colour (for instance, red for MacPherson's) and mural designs that reflect local community flavour. Bencoolen is the deepest station at 14 stories underground. Lots of engineering achievements, including how Singapore River was diverted to accommodate construction of the Fort Canning station. 





Come to think of it, Downtown Line 3 has not only changed transportation modes, it has also changed the communities surrounding the stations, bringing people to walk paths they would otherwise not have strode.

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