Expo MRT Station

CG1  DT35  Expo MRT Station 博览地铁站 எக்ஸ்போ Stesen MRT Expo
Rapid transit
Unique structure of Expo MRT station.
Location	21 Changi South Avenue 1 Singapore 486065
Coordinates
Operated by	SMRT Trains (SMRT Corporation) (Changi Airport Branch Line) SBS Transit DTL (Downtown Line)
Line(s)
Platforms	Island
Tracks	2
Connections	Bus, Taxi
Construction
Structure type	Elevated (East West Line) Underground (Downtown Line)
Platform levels	2
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Station code	CG1  DT35
History
Opened	10 January 2001 (East West Line) 2017 (Downtown Line)
Previous names	Somapah (1991-May 2000)
Services
Preceding station   Mass Rapid Transit   Following station Tanah Merah Terminus East West Line Changi Airport Branch Line Changi Airport Terminus Upper Changi towards Bukit Panjang Downtown Line Future service Terminus
Location
Expo MRT Station East West & Downtown Lines

A C751B train at Platform A before HHPSD was implemented.

File:Expo MRT Station DTL under construction.jpg

Construction area of DTL Expo station.

Expo MRT Station (CG1/DT35), opened on 10 January 2001, is part of the Changi Airport Branch Line (CAL) to the existing East West Line. It sports a space age architecture designed by world-renowned architect Sir Norman Foster. The roof is clad in titanium, steel, and glass, and its design enabled the platform to be columns-free, invoking a sense of spaciousness. The station is built to handle fluctuating passenger volumes due to events at the adjacent Singapore Expo, and has the large spaces needed to facilitate smooth traffic flow.

The section of underground track between this station and Changi Airport is the longest underground track between any two MRT stations in Singapore.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced that this station will be an interchange with the future Downtown Line. When this station is ready, it will be the third station in Singapore that serves both an above ground line and an underground line after Tampines MRT Station Paya Lebar and Buona Vista.

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

Train services to Expo station were initially operated as a 2-station shuttle service from Tanah Merah when the station first opened and it was first denoted by code E13 for a short while until the MRT map was revamped in 2001. It was then converted to a through service from Boon Lay Station when the other station on the Changi Extension, Changi Airport, opened. However, to cut costs due to ridership falling below expectations, the service was reverted into shuttle mode on 22 July 2003.

The initial numbering of this station was EW28, until 20 June 2003 when it was changed to CG1. The same numbering is now used for Pioneer Station.

The station has a high passenger traffic whenever there are major events occurring in the Singapore Expo. The recent expansion of Singapore Expo helped increase the passenger traffic in the station. However, traffic is still rather low at certain times of the year when there are not many events held. However, this changed in the 4th quarter of 2011 when a new shopping mall called Changi City Point opened at the south of the station and linked to the station by an underpass, bringing more crowds to the station. A business hotel, Park Avenue Changi, is located next to the station.

As with most of the above-ground stations built in the past along the East West Line, it was built without platform screen doors that prevent commuters from falling onto the train tracks. Installation of the half-height screen doors started on 20 June 2011 as the last station of the East West Line. On 31 August 2011, all of the screen doors have been installed and began operating, marking the completion of the installation of all the Platform Screen Doors along the East West Line. However, on 1 February 2014, an elderly man was hit by a train which is believed to have access to the track by climbing over the platform screen door and currently being treated in the hospital as the victim suffers from multiple injuries, which might need upgrading it to full-height platform screen doors.

On 28 November 2011, LTA marked the start of construction of Downtown Line 3 (DTL3) with a groundbreaking ceremony at this station.

High volume, low speed (HVLS) fans

Station is installed with MJ Air Tech High Volume, Low Speed (HVLS) Pro-Jet fans and started operations on 27 September 2012.

Exits

East West Line

• A: Singapore Expo
• B: Changi City Point, UE BizHub East

Downtown Line

• C: Singapore Expo
• D: Changi City Point, UE BizHub East

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  EW4  Tanah Merah (←)
	Lift Landing	Lift to Concourse, Lift Exit/ Entrance, Faregates
L1	Concourse	Exit/ Entrance, Faregates, Ticketing Machines, Station Control, Singapore Expo
	Lift Landing	Lift to Platforms
B1	Underpass (Closed)	Underpass to cross Changi South Avenue 1 / Changi City Point

Transport connections

Rail

Destination	First Train				Last Train
	Mon – Sat		Sunday & Public Holiday		Daily
East West Line
to EW4 Tanah Merah	5.36am		6.04am		–
to CG2 Changi Airport	5.23am		5.49am		11.54pm
to EW1 Pasir Ris	–		–		12.11am
to EW29 Joo Koon	–		–		11.23pm
Downtown Line
to DT1 Bukit Panjang	–		–		–

External links

• Official website
• Expo to Changi Airport MRT station route