Circle Line (Singapore)
Mass Rapid Transit line in Singapore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Circle Line (CCL) is a medium-capacity Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore. It runs in a loop from Dhoby Ghaut station in the city-centre to HarbourFront station in the south via Bishan station in the centre of the country. It also has a branch line from Promenade to Marina Bay. Coloured orange on the rail map, the fully-underground line is approximately 35.5 km (22.1 mi) long with 30 stations. Travelling from one end of the line to the other takes about an hour.
Under testing (Stage 6)
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Alstom Metropolis C851E trainset at HarbourFront station | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Native name | Malay: Laluan MRT Circle Chinese: 地铁环线 Tamil: இணைப்பு எம்ஆர்டி வழி | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Operational Under testing (Stage 6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | Land Transport Authority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Singapore | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini |
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| Stations | 33 (30 operational, 3 under testing) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Color on map | Orange (#fa9e0d) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Rapid transit Light metro | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| System | Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Services | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operator(s) | SMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT Corporation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depot(s) | Kim Chuan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rolling stock | Alstom Metropolis C830 Alstom Metropolis C830C Alstom Metropolis C851E | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daily ridership | 450,000 (2023)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Planned opening | 12 July 2026 (Stage 6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | 28 May 2009 (Stage 3) 17 April 2010 (Stages 1 and 2) 8 October 2011 (Stages 4 and 5) 14 January 2012 (Circle Line Extension) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line length | 35.5 km (22.1 mi) (Operational) 4 km (2.5 mi) (Under testing) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track length | 35.5 km (22.1 mi) (Operational) 4 km (2.5 mi) (Under testing) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Character | Fully underground | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electrification | 750 V DC third rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | limit of 78 km/h (48 mph)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The CCL was the fourth MRT line to open on the network, with its first stage, from Bartley to Marymount, commencing operations on 28 May 2009. At launch, it operated Alstom Metropolis C830 electric multiple unit (EMU) trains. The next stage to Dhoby Ghaut opened on 17 April 2010, followed by the extension to HarbourFront on 8 October 2011. A two-station extension to Marina Bay was inaugurated on 14 January 2012. The final stage, running from HarbourFront to Marina Bay with stations at Keppel, Cantonment and Prince Edward Road, is scheduled to open on 12 July 2026, at which point the line will form a complete loop.
The CCL is the second line in Singapore after the North East Line to be completely automated and driverless and is among the world's longest driverless rapid transit lines.[3] It was Singapore's first medium-capacity rail line. Ridership exceeded projections for its three-car trains, resulting in overcrowding compared with high-capacity MRT lines. Following the line's opening, additional trains, including the C830C and C851E, were procured to accommodate growing demand.
History
Planning

Plans for the Circle Line were first announced by Minister for Communications and Information Yeo Ning Hong. who said the line would connect Singapore’s major housing estates. However, he added that such a route would only be built once Singapore's population reached four million and new housing estates were developed farther from the city centre.[4] At the time, the MRT network followed a radial pattern, with lines extending outward from the city centre.[5]
In October 1994, Communications Minister Mah Bow Tan announced a proposed overground light rail system designed to serve the National Stadium, Beach Road, Marina Centre, Shenton Way, and Marina South, with interchanges at Dhoby Ghaut and Kallang.[6][7] In October 1997, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) invited companies to provide architectural and engineering services for a planned Marina Line (MRL). The proposed 12 km (7.5 mi) underground line would comprise 18 stations, running from Kallang station through Marina Centre and Marina South before interchanging with the North East Line at People's Park. A branch line from Marina Centre to Dhoby Ghaut was also proposed, while further branches and extensions to Paya Lebar and Tanjong Pagar were under consideration.[8] In June 1998, Mah announced the government would proceed with the construction of the MRL, which was planned to have 20 stations and operate medium-capacity driverless trains. Construction was expected to begin in 2000 at an estimated cost of S$1.75 billion. The line was also designed with provisions to expand train capacity from four to six cars as passenger demand increased.[9] Parsons Brinckerhoff and Mott MacDonald were appointed as architectural and engineering consultants for the MRL.[10]
In October 1999, the LTA announced that an outer circle line would link Buona Vista and Paya Lebar via Bishan and Serangoon. The number of planned stations on the MRL also increased to 24. Construction of the segment between Dhoby Ghaut and Marina Centre would be prioritised given demand along the Bras Basah corridor, while construction of the other sections would be deferred due to lack of developments in the planned Marina Downtown.[11] In 2001, the first six stations of the MRL from Dhoby Ghaut to Boulevard were announced, with plans to connect the MRL from Stadium station to the Outer Circle Line at Paya Lebar. The Outer Circle Line would also loop back to Marina South via World Trade Centre.[12] Subsequently in April that year, communications minister Yeo Cheow Tong announced that the Marina Line would be built as the first phase of the Circle Line, alongside the announcement of the second phase that would span 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Stadium to Upper Paya Lebar Road.[13][14]
Construction

| Date | Project | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 28 May 2009 | Stage 3 (CCL3) | Bartley – Marymount |
| 17 April 2010 | Stage 1 (CCL1) | Dhoby Ghaut – Stadium |
| Stage 2 (CCL2) | Mountbatten – Tai Seng | |
| 8 October 2011 | Stage 4 (CCL4) | Caldecott – Kent Ridge |
| Stage 5 (CCL5) | Haw Par Villa – HarbourFront | |
| 14 January 2012 | Circle Line Extension (CCLe) | Bayfront – Marina Bay |
| 12 July 2026 | Stage 6 (CCL6) | Keppel – Prince Edward Road |
Industry observers anticipated that Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) would operate the CCL in accordance with the Singapore Government's initiative for multi-modal operators.[15] TIBS had partnered with Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) for its bid to operate the line.[16] However, the LTA ultimately awarded the contract to SMRT Corporation in August 2001. The LTA justified its decision based on SMRT's track record, financial strength, and customer service.[15][17]
Construction of the CCL officially began on 5 March 2002 with a groundbreaking ceremony at Bras Basah Park.[18][19] At the ceremony, Yeo announced that the 34-kilometre (21 mi) CCL would be built in five stages and completed by 2010.[19] Stage 3 of the CCL (CCL3), which comprises five stations from Bartley to Marymount, was announced in January 2003.[20] The 13 stations of CCL Stages 4 and 5 (CCL4 and CCL5) from Thomson to HarbourFront were announced in December 2003.[21][22] This segment included three planned shell stations – Caldecott, Bukit Brown and Haw Par Villa.[a] These station were to be opened only when their surroundings were more developed.[22][25]
On 20 April 2004, the tunnels linking to Nicoll Highway station caved in along with a 100 m (330 ft) stretch of the Nicoll Highway. The collapse of a tunnel retaining wall caused soil subsidence,[26] creating a hole 100 metres long, 130 metres wide, and 30 metres deep (328 by 427 by 98 ft).[27] Four people were killed and three were injured.[28][29][30] The LTA halted work at 16 of the 24 CCL excavation sites for review.[27][31] A Committee of Inquiry (COI) concluded that the incident was caused by human error and organisational failures.[32] The strut-waler support system was poorly designed and weaker than it should have been, with a lack of monitoring and proper management of data.[33] Although the LTA initially said that the collapse happened without warning,[34] the COI report revealed that there were already "warning signs", such as excessive wall deflections and surging inclinometer readings, which were not addressed seriously.[33][35] The report pointed out a lack of safety culture at the site and made several recommendations to improve the safety of construction projects,[33] which the government accepted.[32][36] Nicoll Highway station was rebuilt 100 m (330 ft) south of the original site along Republic Avenue, with a new tunnel alignment between the Millenia and Boulevard stations.[37] Due to the tunnels' collapse, the completion date of CCL Stage 1 was delayed from 2007 to 2009.[38]
In March 2004, the LTA launched a public polling exercise to name the stations along the CCL, marking the first time the general public was invited to participate in the naming process to foster a greater sense of community ownership.[39][40][41] The public could choose between two LTA-proposed names for each station or suggest their own, provided the names accurately reflected the area's locality, history, and multi-cultural heritage.[39] The names for the CCL Stages 1 to 3 stations were finalised in July 2005.[42][43] A subsequent naming poll for the CCL4 and CCL5 stations attracted 634 respondents – 152 more than the previous poll. These station names were finalised in December 2005.[44][45]
On 14 June 2005, the LTA announced plans for the Downtown Extension (DTE), which was intended to be a branch of the CCL.[46] Comprising five stations from Milennia (now Promenade) to Chinatown,[47][48][49] it would serve the development of the Downtown at Marina Bay, a planned business and financial hub.[48] Yam Ah Mee, the then-chief executive of the LTA, also stated that the agency was studying further extensions to the DTE, including an eastward extension to Kim Chuan Depot and a westward extension linking the line to the Bukit Timah Line[50] In 2007, transport minister Raymond Lim announced that the DTE would instead be incorporated into the Downtown Line (DTL).[51] Another branch to Marina Bay station via Bayfront was announced in April that year.[52]
Construction of the CCL platforms at Dhoby Ghaut required stabilising the existing underpass above linking the North East Line (NEL) and North–South Line platforms. Seven caisson piles were installed to enhance the support of the underpass and capping beams were then constructed to form the supporting system.[25] At Esplanade, the arterial routes of Bras Basah Road and Nicoll Highway had to be diverted through more than 10 phases.[53] The station was constructed using the top-down method to minimise the impact of noise and dust pollution on the surrounding developments. Diaphragm walls were built to minimise ground movement. With the roof constructed first, construction could proceed under all weather conditions while allowing the early reinstatement of Bras Basah Road and War Memorial Park.[54] Two East–West Line viaduct piers at Paya Lebar station had to be underpinned. Using concrete walls, beams, and a powerful jacking system, they transferred the weight of the viaduct so they could safely cut away the old piles.[55][56]
During excavation of the CCL tunnels beneath Serangoon station, contractors encountered significant groundwater seepage, causing ground settlement and the NEL station to sink by 1 centimetre (0.39 in).[57] Works were suspended while water was pumped out, and NEL trains were required to slow when entering or leaving the station.[58] The tunnel was subsequently redesigned, with jet grouting and enhanced monitoring introduced to detect further settlement.[57][59] At Holland Village, the excavation pit was only 6 m (20 ft) away from the Willyn Ville Condominium, requiring vigilant ground testing and wall deflection monitoring to ensure the building's safety.[60] Similarly, Pasir Panjang was dug in soft ground just 10 metres (33 ft) from a road viaduct and in close proximity to residential homes and shophouses.[61]
The Building and Construction Authority halted tunnelling works near Telok Blangah in August 2007 following the ground settlement of two road lanes near the junction of Telok Blangah Road and Alexandra Road.[62] A section of Cornwall Gardens Road near Holland Road caved in on 24 May 2008 during tunnelling works between Holland and Farrer Road stations. While no one was injured, the sinkhole led to the disruptions of utilities in the area.[63][64]
Opening
The Straits Times reported that the CCL3 stations were "in advanced stages of completion" in September 2007, with architectural, engineering, and mechanical works being carried out and expected to be finished by mid-2008. In January 2008, the CCL3 stations' completion date was moved earlier from 2010 to mid-2009.[65][66] Two of the planned shell stations – Thomson and West Coast – would also be fitted out and opened with the other CCL stations.[67] The LTA started conducting test runs on the CCL3 stations, with the expected commencement date set for June 2009.[68] In February 2009, transport minister Raymond Lim announced that CCL3 would open on 30 May,[69] though it was later moved to 28 May.[70][71] An open house was held for the CCL3 stations on 23 May,[72] before operations commenced on 28 May.[73] An opening ceremony was held at Bishan station, presided by deputy prime minister Teo Chee Hean.[74][75]
Due to the Nicoll Highway collapse, the expected opening date for CCL1 was delayed by two years from 2007 to 2009.[38] In August 2009, transport minister Lim announced that CCL1 and 2 would open by the first half of 2010;[76][77] this was later announced to be 17 April.[78][79] An open house was held on 5 April 2010.[80][81] CCL1 and CCL2 commenced operations on 17 April 2010,[82][83] with transport minister Lim holding an opening ceremony at Bras Basah station the day before.[84]
Tunnelling works for the CCL were completed in August 2009,[38] marked by a tunnel breakthrough ceremony at Farrer Road.[85][86] As announced by transport minister Lui Tuck Yew during his visit to the CCL 4 and CCL 5 stations on 1 August 2011,[87][88] the segment began revenue service on 8 October of that year.[89][90] The Circle Line extension (CCLe) to Marina Bay opened on 14 January 2012, with an official opening ceremony held on the day before.[91][92][93]
Tunnel strengthening works
In 2023, routine inspections by the LTA and train operators found that a stretch of the CCL tunnel between Promenade and Nicoll Highway stations was subjected to greater pressure. Although no safety risks were identified, precautionary strengthening works, including the installation of steel supports, were carried out between June and July to ensure the tunnel’s long-term integrity.[94] To facilitate these strengthening works, only one platform remained in operation from 9 pm daily for the segment between Stadium and Dhoby Ghaut, and on the CCLe between Bayfront and Marina Bay.[95]
The LTA announced in December 2025 that the tunnels between Mountbatten and Paya Lebar would be closed from January to April 2026 to facilitate tunnel strengthening works.[96] Following scans conducted after earlier works in 2023, the LTA identified three localised sections of the CCL tunnels that were more affected by tunnel squatting[97] – the deformation of tunnel linings due to compression of marine clay.[98] Shuttle trains ran on a single platform at 10-minute intervals connecting the Mountbatten, Dakota and Paya Lebar stations, while peak-hour frequencies between HarbourFront and Paya Lebar were raised from two to three minutes.[99][100][101] Shuttle buses were also deployed to supplement the disrupted services.[100][102]
The strengthening works involved installing an estimated 300 steel rings made from plates fabricated in China. Each plate, weighing about 800 kilograms (1,800 lb), was positioned using a robotic arm and temporarily secured with mechanical bolts before being permanently fixed with epoxy-based chemical bolts, welding, and grouting. Installation of the steel rings in the HarbourFront-bound tunnel was completed in February 2026.[103] The strengthening works were completed ahead of schedule, and regular CCL services resumed on 11 April.[104][105][106]
Circle Line Stage 6

Stage 6 of the CCL (CCL6), which LTA said would "close the circle" by linking HarbourFront to Marina Bay,[107] was first announced by transport minister Lui in January 2013 as part of the 2013 Land Transport Master Plan.[107][108] Details of the CCL6 were finalised in October 2015.[109] The 4 km (2.5 mi) segment would include three stations – Keppel, Cantonment and Prince Edward, and was expected to be completed by 2025. The project also includes the expansion of Kim Chuan Depot.[110][111] Prince Edward station was renamed to Prince Edward Road following a naming poll held in 2017.[112][113][114]
To facilitate construction works of Cantonment station, the old train platform canopy structures were relocated to a restoration yard nearby in November 2017.[115] Tunnelling works for the CCL6 began on 25 July 2019 with the launch of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) at Keppel station. The TBM would tunnel from Keppel to HarbourFront station.[116] To construct the tunnels between Keppel and Cantonment, the Keppel viaduct was underpinned with new micro piles. Three bored piles were removed for the tunnelling works.[117] During tunnelling between the Cantonment and Prince Edward Road stations, structures were erected to protect the Tanjong Pagar railway station's facade and interior, and monitoring instruments were installed to watch out for any building settlement.[118] CCL6 tunnelling works were completed on 12 January 2022, with a final tunnel breakthrough from Prince Edward Road into Cantonment.[119][120][121]
From January to April 2024, one platform at the Telok Blangah and HarbourFront stations were closed to facilitate track integration works with the CCL6 stations.[122] A new Integrated Supervisory Control System (ISCS) – which monitors and manages power supply, communications and station facilities on the CCL – has also been installed in 2025.[123][124] Final system integration testing works occurred in April and May 2026.[125][126]
Due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the completion date of CCL6 was shifted to 2025,[127] then to the first half of 2026.[128][129] In April 2026, the opening was delayed a final time to the middle of the year.[130] In May, transport minister Jeffrey Siow announced that the CCL6 stations would open on 12 July 2026. A preview of the stations will be held on 4 July.[131][132]
Network and operations
Services
The CCL is a medium-capacity line operated by SMRT Trains.[133][134][135] Since October 2016, the CCL has been part of the New Rail Financing Framework (NRFF).[136] Previously, the operator (the owner of the rail assets) had to bear the cost of maintaining and upgrading trains and signalling. Under the NRFF, the LTA will take control of its operating assets and SMRT will operate the line under a 15-year licence which will expire on 30 September 2031. The LTA and SMRT will share the profits and financial risks in operating the line.[135][137]
On weekdays and Saturdays, the first CCL train leaves HarbourFront at 5:30 am;[138] the last train leaves Dhoby Ghaut at 12:10 am.[139] Trains on the line run every 2.5 to 5 minutes.[140] Similar to the NEL, the CCL initially had a higher fare than the North–South and East–West lines due to greater operating costs.[141] On 30 December 2016, fares on the CCL were lowered to match the other lines with a "purely distance-based approach". This revision, made after a fare review by the Public Transport Council, was intended to minimise commuter confusion.[142][143]
The CCL will have four main services once CCL6 opens: the Anticlockwise Loop and Clockwise Loop for continuous travel,[144] and Anticlockwise and Clockwise services that would serve the spur on the Dhoby Ghaut branch and terminate at Prince Edward Road station.[145] As the idea of a train line running in a continuous loop is new in Singapore, the LTA launched a survey in March 2025 to improve wayfinding on the CCL,[146] which found that respondents preferred the terms "clockwise" and "anticlockwise" over alternatives such as "inner loop" and "outer loop".[147][148] The LTA has also launched a web app to explain these service changes, which are “difficult to convey through posters alone” in May 2026.[149]
Transport minister Lui Tuck Yew projected that the CCL would serve 400,000 passengers daily upon the completion of CCL Stages 4 and 5 in 2011.[150] Prior to their opening, the CCL recorded average daily ridership of 230,000 on weekdays and 150,000 on weekends. Following the opening of the 12 new stations, commuters interviewed by The Straits Times reported that the line had already become more crowded,[151] with Bishan station also experiencing heavy congestion.[152] Daily ridership on the CCL reached 300,000 in November 2011, more than double of SMRT's projections,[153] and rose to 398,000 in May 2015.[154] As of 2025, the CCL records an average daily ridership of 463,000.[1]
The CCL is the least reliable line on the network in terms of mean kilometres between failures (MKBF) from 2023 to 2025, only achieving 1.069 million train-km in 2025.[155] Reliability of the CCL improved in July 2025, and has reached 2.36 million train-km in April 2026.[156] In July 2024, SMRT chief executive Ngien Hoon Ping attributed the CCL breakdowns to upgrading works integrating the line's existing systems with CCL6, and pledged that the line's reliability "will go straight up" upon the completion of CCL6.[157]
Route

The 35.7-kilometre (22.2-mile)[b] CCL forms an incomplete loop that begins in Dhoby Ghaut in the Central Region of Singapore and passes through the eastern, northern and western areas of Singapore before terminating south at HarbourFront.[160] A branch, known as the Circle Line extension (CCLe), extends south from Promenade to Marina Bay station.[159][160][161] The line is coloured orange on official maps.[162][163]
The CCL begins at Dhoby Ghaut station, where it interchanges with the NSL and NEL.[3] From there, the line runs eastwards, paralleling Bras Basah Road.[164] The line turns north at Promenade station, where it joins with the CCLe and interchanges with the DTL.[161][165] After turning east toward Nicoll Highway, the CCL passes underneath the Kallang Basin. Between the Stadium and Dakota stations, the line parallels Stadium Boulevard and Old Airport Road.[161]
The line continues northwards and parallels Paya Lebar Road and Upper Paya Lebar Road between the Paya Lebar and Tai Seng stations.[161][166] Reception tracks between Tai Seng and Bartley connect the CCL to Kim Chuan Depot.[161] Briefly paralleling Bartley Road at Bartley, the line runs in a general westward direction, interchanging with the NEL at Serangoon and the NSL at Bishan.[3][161]
Turning south to Marymount, the CCL interchanges with the Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL) at Caldecott,[167] before continuing in a general southwest direction between Caldecott and Kent Ridge.[161] The line also interchanges with the DTL at Botanic Gardens and the EWL at Buona Vista. After Kent Ridge station, the line curves eastwards, paralleling West Coast Highway, Pasir Panjang Road and Telok Blangah Road, before terminating at HarbourFront station, where it interchanges with the NEL.[168]
With the completion of CCL6, the line will continue eastwards from HarbourFront, paralleling Keppel Road and Ayer Rajah Expressway, and joins the CCLe at Marina Bay.[169] The CCLe from Marina Bay to Promenade station generally parallels Bayfront Avenue.[161] At Bayfront station, the CCLe passes underneath Marina Bay Sands and has a cross-platform interchange with the DTL.[170][171]
Stations
The line has 30 operational stations. Twelve stations connect to other MRT lines.[132][160][162] A reserved station, Bukit Brown, would be built in tandem with future developments.[22]
Infrastructure
Rolling stock
The CCL's rolling stock consists of three-car driverless trains that can accommodate up to 931 passengers per trainset.[172][173][174] As part of Contract C830,[173][175] Alstom supplied 40 Alstom Metropolis trains for the CCL.[172] An additional 24 second-generation Alstom Metropolis C830C[176] trains were delivered to Singapore beginning in June 2014.[177][178] An additional 11 third-generation Alstom Metropolis C851E trains were ordered in April 2018,[179][180][181] and 12 more trainsets were ordered in July 2019.[182] Built in Barcelona,[183] the first C851E trainset arrived in Singapore in March 2022 and officially entered passenger service on 13 April 2026.[163][184] In May 2026, transport minister Jeffrey Siow said the LTA is studying plans for the refurbishment of the C830 trains.[185]
The CCL trains are controlled by an operations control centre (OCC) at Kim Chuan Depot.[186] Powered by 750V DC third rail,[187] the trains have a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph) but with a maximum operational speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).[173] Each train is 70 metres (230 ft) in long, 3.21 metres (10.5 ft) wide and 3.68 m (12.1 ft) in high, with a weight of 122.49 t (120.56 long tons; 135.02 short tons).[187] The trains are fitted with 146 seats, two wheelchair spaces, and four doors on each side of every carriage.[173] The doors are 1.4 metres (4 ft 7 in) wide.[187] Large windows at the front and rear of the trains provide passengers with clear views of the tunnels.[174] In emergencies, detrainment doors at both ends of the trains can be opened to deploy evacuation ramps. The trains also have smoke and heat detectors with an emergency ventilation system and a fully redundant train management system.[173]
The C830C trains feature additional straphangers and platform gap fillers to reduce the space between the train and platform edge. Dynamic Route Map Displays positioned above each door show the train's current location, route information, and the side on which the doors will open at the next station.[188] The C851E trains are equipped with sensors on the current collector shoes to detect any dislodgement while drawing power from the third rail. Two trainsets are also fitted with an Automatic Track Inspection (ATI) system, allowing real-time monitoring of running rails, track equipment and sleepers during operation.[163][179]
Depot
Kim Chuan Depot, located at Hougang Avenue 3 and Kim Chuan Road, houses the line's fleet.[186] The depot was constructed by a joint venture between Hock Lian Seng Infrastructure Pte Ltd and Hock Chuan Ann Construction Pte Ltd for S$296.55 million (US$221.3 million).[189] Spanning 11 ha (27 acres), the underground depot could accommodate up to 77 three-car trains.[190] It also houses the line's Operations Control Centre (OCC), which oversees the statuses of trains and other equipment on the CCL,[191] as well as the Depot Control Centre, which runs trains within the depot.[186] The depot also features an Automatic Storage and Retrieval System, Singapore's tallest underground automated warehouse at 23 m (75 ft) high. Serving as the central warehouse for the CCL, it can store up to 24,000 train spare parts.[192][193] The train washing facilities at Kim Chuan are also fully automated.[194]
Before the completion of Gali Batu Depot, a temporary OCC for the DTL was established at the depot,[195] where the DTL trains were also temporarily stabled.[196] After the relocation of the NSL and EWL OCC to Kim Chuan Depot in 2019.[197][198] the OCC for the three lines were consolidated into the Rail Operations Centre.[199] A new Maintenance Engineering Centre, which monitors and controls the maintenance activities of the NSL, EWL and CCL, was established at Kim Chuan in April 2023.[200] In June 2024, the SMRT Rail Safety Experiential Centre (SRSEC) was commissioned at Kim Chuan. The SRSEC showcases visuals and artefacts from past incidents as reminders of the need for vigilance and continuous improvement for SMRT staff.[201][202]
The depot is being expanded by 16 ha (40 acres), doubling its underground capacity to support a larger fleet of 133 trains.[203] The expansion project, expected to be completed with the CCL6 stations, would include a bus depot above the facility.[110][204] The contract for the depot's expansion was awarded to Woh Hup for S$1.21 billion (US$0.9 billion).[205]
Signalling
The Circle Line is equipped with Alstom Urbalis 300 Communications-based train control (CBTC) moving block signalling system on the MASTRIA system with Automatic train control (ATC) under Automatic train operation (ATO) GoA 4 (UTO).[206][207] The subsystems consist of Automatic train protection (ATP) to govern train speed, Iconis Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) to track and schedule trains and Smartlock Computer-based interlocking (CBI) system that prevents incorrect signal and track points to be set.
Train Data Management System (TDMS) which concentrate and dispatch the rolling stock information with fixed equipment. The IAGO Waveguide communications network has the capability to transmit video and is almost maintenance-free. Base stations are located within the signalling equipment room.
Station facilities
All CCL stations are wheelchair accessible. A tactile system, consisting of tiles with rounded or elongated raised studs, guides visually impaired commuters through the station,[208] with dedicated tactile routes that connect the station entrances to the platforms.[209] Wider fare gates allow easier access for wheelchair users into the station.[209] Platform screen doors (PSDs) along the line were installed by Singapore Technologies Electronics Ltd and supplied by Westinghouse.[175][210][211][c]
Eleven stations on the CCL are designated as Civil Defence (CD) shelters, which will be activated in times of national emergency. Apart from reinforced construction, the stations are designed and equipped with facilities to ensure the shelter environment is tolerable for all during shelter occupation. These facilities include protective blast doors, decontamination facilities, ventilation systems, power, water supply systems and a dry toilet system.[213]
