North East MRT line | the third Mass Rapid Transit line in Singapore

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022

The North East MRT Line (NEL) is the third Mass Rapid Transit line in Singapore. The line is 20 km long with 16 stations and operated by SBS Transit. Travelling from one end of this line to the other end takes about half an hour. This line is coloured purple in the rail map.

The line joins central Singapore to the north-eastern part of the island. Transfer to the North South Line is done at Dhoby Ghaut station, East West Line at Outram Park station, Circle Line at Serangoon and Dhoby Ghaut and Downtown MRT Line at Chinatown and Little India stations.

This line is the first MRT line in Singapore to be completely underground (running in a tunnel all the way between HarbourFront and Punggol). It is also the first (and so far, the only) line where trains get their power from overhead wires above the track, instead of a third rail beside the track.

All the trains on the North East Line are automated (computer-controlled) and do not have an operator driving the train at the front. It is one of the world's first rapid transit lines that does not need drivers and is one of three such lines in the MRT network today. The others are the Circle Line and the Downtown Line.

Questions and Answers

Q: What is the North East MRT Line?

A: The North East MRT Line (NEL) is the third Mass Rapid Transit line in Singapore. It is a 20 km long line with 16 stations and operated by SBS Transit.

Q: How long does it take to travel from one end of this line to the other?

A: Travelling from one end of this line to the other end takes about half an hour.

Q: What colour is this line on the rail map?

A: The North East MRT Line is coloured purple in the rail map.

Q: Where does this line connect central Singapore to?

A: The North East MRT Line connects central Singapore to the north-eastern part of the island.

Q: Are there any transfer points between lines on this route?

A: Yes, there are several transfer points between lines on this route, including Dhoby Ghaut station for transfers to the North South Line, Outram Park station for transfers to the East West Line, Serangoon and Dhoby Ghaut for transfers to Circle Line, and Chinatown and Little India stations for transfers to Downtown MRT Line.

Q: Is this line completely underground?

A: Yes, it is - This line is the first MRT line in Singapore that runs entirely underground (in a tunnel all the way between HarbourFront and Punggol).

Q: How are trains powered on this route? A: Trains on this route get their power from overhead wires above track instead of a third rail beside track.