Taken for granted is a series which I want to focus on stuff around us that might have disappeared, is on the verge of disappearing or silently evolving without being noticed in our daily lives. In this post, I would like to talk about the MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) stations.
According to statistic by the government, there are an average of 3 million riders per day via the MRT in Singapore since 2016. I too commute to and fro from work via the MRT daily. But how many of us truly pay attention to the MRT stations that we enter and exit from every single trip? I have compiled some interesting facts about some of the MRT stations in Singapore. Challenge yourself to see how many of these interesting facts you already knew beforehand or you are one of the culprits whom have simply taken our MRT stations for granted? Which is the FIRST MRT Station in operation in Singapore?
Some might argue that they do not know the answer because they are not born yet (Damn these youngsters).
Anyway. So the MRT system actually begins operation in 7 Nov 1987 and the stretch from Yio Chu Kang to Toa Payoh is the first to be opened to commuters.
An inaugural ceremony attended by then Second Deputy Prime Minister Ong Teng Cheong and then Minister for Communications and Information Yeo Ning Hong was held at the platform of Toa Payoh MRT station. A specially arranged train took the two ministers and about 400 guests on the first two-way ride from Toa Payoh to Yio Chu Kang and back before the service was opened to the public. As such the first station to serve a train loaded with public is the Toa Payoh MRT station. (Info from NLB eresources archive)
Which is the LARGEST MRT Station in Singapore?
As of now, serving 3 MRT lines (North South Line, North East line and Circle Line), Dhoby Ghaut MRT station is the largest in Singapore. I mean you should have felt it when you transfer from one line to another.
Which is the Highest Above Ground MRT Station in Singapore?
The Tuas West Extension soars above the industrial heartland of Tuas, with the rail viaduct peaking at 23m - making it Singapore's tallest viaduct - after it crosses the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) and as it enters the Gul Circle station, the first stop of the extension. The ceiling of Tuas Cresent MRT Station which runs above the viaduct, is about 10 storeys high at 33m, making it the Tallest MRT station in Singapore.
The escalator serving the concourse level to the platform level has a vertical height of 17.5m!!! Better hold on to the handrail when using the escalator.
Which is the Deepest MRT Station in Singapore?
On the other spectrum of measurement, Bencoolen MRT Station on the Downtown Line is the Deepest MRT Station in Singapore. It goes as deep as 43m below ground.
Which MRT Station has the Longest Elevator?
If you think either the tallest MRT station or the deepest MRT station have the longest elevator in Singapore, then you are wrong.
Measuring 41m long, Bras Basah MRT Station is the MRT station with the Longest Elevator in Singapore. Which MRT Station has the most Fare Gates?
Maybe in anticipation of the crowd going in and out of JB (me included), Kranji MRT Station have a total of 20 automatic gantries, making it the station with the most number of gantries in Singapore.
Which MRT Station's name does not start with a Captial Letter?
This last one is really a test to see how observant you are to your surroundings.
Firstly, did you notice that almost all MRT Stations starts with a Capital letter? Quick look at the MRT map above again. Now did you notice the only station that did not follows this convention? The answer is ... ... one-north MRT Station!!!
There is no official explanation as to why "one-north" was written as that. Many however speculate that the name was a reference to the fact that Singapore is located approximately one degree north of the equator.
I hope that the next time you take the MRT, you can take a good look around to see what other interesting things you have not notice before.
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KelvinYo. I am from Singapore. I love to travel. Follow me as I share my experiences and tips for budget travelling as well as my hunt for Ho Kangs around Singapore. Archives
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