Jurong Region MRT line facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jurong Region line
Overview
Native name	Laluan Daerah Jurong 裕廊区域线 ஜூரோங் வட்டாரப் பாதை
Status	Planned
Owner	Land Transport Authority
Termini	Choa Chu Kang Jurong Pier Pandan Reservoir Peng Kang Hill
Stations	24
Service
Type	Rapid transit/Light metro
System	Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)
Services	3
Operator(s)	TBA
Depot(s)	Tengah
Rolling stock	CJ151
History
Planned opening	2026 (Stage 1) 2027 (Stage 2) 2028 (Stage 3)
Technical
Line length	24 km (15 mi)
Character	Above ground
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)

The Jurong Region Line (or JRL) is a new train line in western Singapore. It's part of the MRT system. This line will connect places like Choa Chu Kang, Jurong Pier, Peng Kang Hill, and Pandan Reservoir. It will be Singapore's seventh MRT line.

The JRL is special because all its tracks are above ground. It's the first MRT line in Singapore to be built entirely above the ground. Other lines, like the East West Line and the North South Line, have some parts underground.

You can spot the JRL on the MRT map because it's colored turquoise.

About the Jurong Region Line

This train line mainly serves the Jurong area and nearby towns. The JRL is divided into three main parts, or branches:

• The main branch starts at Choa Chu Kang. It travels through Jurong West and ends at Jurong Pier.
• The west branch begins at Bahar Junction. It goes through the Jurong West area and Nanyang Technological University, ending at Peng Kang Hill.
• The east branch starts from Tengah. It passes through Jurong East and finishes at Pandan Reservoir.

Trains from Choa Chu Kang will go to Jurong Pier. Trains from Jurong Pier will travel to Peng Kang Hill. Also, trains from Peng Kang Hill will head towards Choa Chu Kang. Bahar Junction is a key station where you can change between these three routes. If you want to switch to a train on the east branch, you can only do so at Tengah station.

There are also plans to connect the east branch to the Circle Line at Haw Par Villa. This would make it easier to travel between western Singapore and the city center.

History of the JRL

Early Plans and Development

Ideas for a train line to Nanyang Technological University started way back in 1996. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) first thought about building a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line. This LRT would run from Boon Lay station to the university. However, this idea was put on hold because not many people were expected to use the line back then.

But in 2013, the JRL was announced again! This time, it was planned as a full MRT line. It would connect Choa Chu Kang, Boon Lay, Tengah, Jurong East, and the Jurong industrial areas.

More details about the JRL were shared on May 9, 2018. It was announced as a 24-kilometer line with 24 stations. To build the line, some land was needed. This included the Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange, one HDB apartment block, and Pioneer Primary School.

The JRL will open in three stages. The first stage is planned for 2026, followed by stages in 2027 and 2028.

How the JRL System Works

The JRL has 24 kilometers (about 15 miles) of tracks and 24 stations. It has four main directions: north to Choa Chu Kang, south to Jurong Pier, east to Pandan Reservoir, and west to Peng Kang Hill.

JRL Stations

Here are the stations on the Jurong Region Line, listed by when they are expected to open:

Train Depots

The JRL will have a main depot at Tengah. There will also be a parking area for trains near Peng Kang Hill station. Both places will store JRL trains. The Tengah Depot will also have the JRL Operations Control Centre. This is where the train system is managed. The Tengah Depot will also include a bus depot and a place for workers to rest. This helps to use the land efficiently.

JRL Trains (Rolling Stock)

The JRL will use trains with three cars. These trains can be made longer, up to four cars, if more people start using the line. Each train car is about 18.6 meters long and 2.75 meters wide. These trains are a bit smaller than those on other MRT lines. This is because the JRL is entirely above ground and runs through areas with many buildings.

Future Plans

West Coast Extension

There's a plan to extend the JRL from West Coast to Haw Par Villa. This extension would pass through Pasir Panjang. If built, it would connect the JRL to the Circle Line. This would make it much easier to travel between the western part of Singapore and the Central Business District (the main business area).

This extension would also help support new developments along the JRL. It would make the whole MRT network stronger. New stations would be added in West Coast and Pasir Panjang. This plan was first announced in 2015. Studies are still being done on this proposed extension. If it gets built, it could be ready by 2030.

Images for kids

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  Pioneer Primary School was acquired to facilitate the construction of viaducts

• 

  Ongoing works on the site north of Peng Kang Hill station

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  Exterior mockup of the CJ151