:Bedok MRT station
{{Short description|Mass Rapid Transit station in Singapore}}
{{good article}}
{{about|the MRT station on the East–West Line|other stations with the name Bedok|Bedok station (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox station
| background =
| name = {{SMRT Infobox Colour
| enname = Bedok
| zhname = 勿洛
| taname = பிடோக்
| msname = Bedok
| line = East West
| line2 =
| line3 =
| code = {{SMRT code|EW|5}}
| terminicode =
}}
| type = Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station
| image = EW5 Bedok Exterior 20200808 175607.jpg
| image_caption = Exterior of Bedok MRT station.
| address = 315 New Upper Changi Road
Singapore 467347
| coordinates = {{Coord|1|19|26.54|N|103|55|48.13|E|type:railwaystation_region:SG|display=inline,title}}
| line = {{rail color box|system=SMRT|line=East West}}
| other = Bedok Bus Interchange, Taxi
| structure = Elevated
| platform = 2 (1 island platform)
| depth =
| levels = 1
| tracks = 2
| parking = Yes (Bedok Mall)
| bicycle = Yes
| passengers = 30,760 per day{{cite web |title=Land Transport DataMall |website=mytransport.sg |publisher=Land Transport Authority |url=https://www.mytransport.sg/content/mytransport/home/dataMall.html |access-date=14 August 2024 |archive-date=14 August 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240814080443/https://datamall.lta.gov.sg/content/datamall/en.html |url-status=live}}
| pass_year = June 2024
| pass_percent =
| pass_system =
| opened = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1989|11|4}}
| closed =
| rebuilt =
| electrified = Yes
| accessible = Yes
| operator = SMRT Trains (SMRT Corporation)
| owned = Land Transport Authority
| zone =
| former = Chai Chee
| services = {{Adjacent stations|system=SMRT|line=East West|left=Tanah Merah|right=Kembangan}}
| mpassengers =
| map_type = Singapore Rail
| map_caption = Bedok MRT station in Singapore
| map_dot_label = Bedok
| map_alt = Singapore MRT/LRT system map
| map_size = 300px
}}
Bedok MRT station ({{IPAc-en|b|ə|ˈ|d|oʊ|k}} {{respell|bə|DOHK}}) is an elevated Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the East–West Line (EWL) in Bedok, Singapore. Operated by SMRT Trains, the station serves the Bedok area and its landmarks such as Bedok Bus Interchange and Bedok Mall. It is reportedly one of the busiest stations on the eastern portion of the EWL.
First announced in May 1982 as Chai Chee station, it was renamed to Bedok station and was confirmed to be part of Phase II of the MRT system. It commenced operations on 4 November 1989 along with other stations on the eastern stretch of the line. Half-height platform screen doors were installed at the station in 2012, along with high-volume-low-speed fans that following year.
Built with a domed roof and an island platform layout on the top floor, the station is two-stories tall with its ticketing office on the ground floor. It is connected to its exits by underground passageways. As a part of SMRT's heritage-themed public art display, there is a mural that details the history and landmarks of Bedok.
History
Bedok station was first included in the initial plans of the MRT system as Chai Chee station in May 1982.{{Cite news |date=May 23, 1982 |title=Proposed MRT stations |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19820523-1.2.9 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=The Straits Times |pages=1 |via=NewspaperSG}} It was later confirmed to be constructed as part of Phase II of the MRT as Bedok station in October 1983.{{Cite news |date=October 26, 1983 |title=Page 8 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/page/straitstimes19831026-1.1.8 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=The Straits Times |pages=8 |via=NewspaperSG}} The contract for the construction of Bedok station was awarded to a partnership between the Obayashi Corporation and Resources Development Pte Ltd for {{SGDConvert|70|m|year=1986}} in January 1986. The contract also included the construction of Kembangan station, and the construction of {{Convert|3.2|km|mi}} of rail viaducts and {{Convert|575|m|yard}} of cut-and-cover tunnels between Jalan Senang and Siglap Road/New Upper Changi Road junction.{{Cite news |last=Gomez |first=Brian |date=14 January 1986 |title=MRTC awards two jobs on eastern line |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19860114-1.2.13.1 |access-date=27 June 2024 |work=The Business Times |pages=2 |via=NewspaperSG}} Construction works began in March 1986.{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Edward |date=December 18, 1987 |title=MRT will only come to the East in 1990 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/weekendeast19871218-1.2.25?qt=minangkabau,%20mrt&q=%22minangkabau%22%22mrt%22 |access-date=October 6, 2024 |work=Weekend East |pages=12 |via=NewspaperSG}}
{{External media|title=External image|caption=|image1=[https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/image-detail?cmsuuid=d6fe3b28-7d22-42f1-ab99-6411ba706c9c|| Artist's impression of Bedok station] Source: National Library Board (NLB)|float=left}}
In order for the station to be constructed, New Upper Changi Road had to be widened.{{Cite news |last=To |first=Chee Eng |date=July 11, 1986 |title=20-min ride to city |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/weekendeast19860711-1.2.11.5?qt=%22bedok%20station%22&q=%22bedok%20station%22 |access-date=September 26, 2024 |work=Weekend East |pages=15 |via=NewspaperSG}} Additionally, the junction of Upper Changi Road and New Changi Road was closed from June to mid-September 1986 in order to build the tunnels.{{Cite news |date=29 June 1986 |title=Changi junction to close today |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19860629-1.2.19.30 |access-date=22 November 2024 |work=The Straits Times |pages=12 |via=NewspaperSG}} Bedok station opened on 4 November 1989 along with all other EWL segments from Bugis to Tanah Merah.{{Cite news |last=Dhaliwal |first=Rav |date=1 November 1989 |title=Eager wait for start of MRTs eastern line |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19891101-1.2.31.9?qt=kallang,%20station,%20mrt&q=%22kallang%22%20%22station%22%20%22mrt%22 |work=The Straits Times |page=22}}{{Cite news |date=4 August 1989 |title=MRT eastern line to start operating on Nov 18 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19890804-1.2.12.12?qt=mrt,%20eastern,%20line,%20to,%20start,%20operating,%20on,%20nov,%2018&q=MRT%20eastern%20line%20to%20start%20operating%20on%20Nov%2018 |work=The Business Times |page=3}} After its opening, it was reported that the lack of a sheltered walkway to the bus interchange caused "passengers [to be] trapped at the station... [which caused] overcrowding".{{Cite news |last=Tong |first=Henry Liau Yeong |date=November 11, 1991 |title=Urgent need for walkway |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19911111-1.2.40.4?qt=%22bedok%20station%22&q=%22bedok%20station%22 |access-date=September 26, 2024 |work=The Straits Times |pages=28 |type=Letter |via=NewspaperSG}} Construction for a sheltered walkway started in October 1991, with an expected completion date of May 1992.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Hock Guan |date=16 November 1991 |title=Bedok MRT to have walkway by next May |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19911116-1.2.46.5?qt=%22urgent%20need%20for%20walkway%22&q=%22Urgent%20need%20for%20walkway%22 |access-date=11 October 2024 |work=The Straits Times |pages=34 |type=Response to letter |via=NewspaperSG}} The station had high-volume low-speed fans installed by the first quarter of 2013.{{cite news |date=13 October 2011 |title=Enhancing Connectivity and Comfort for Commuters |url=http://app.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=764a0kf76om2osu186igm3tbeku96px4ysg006n6qv5hoiq8ep |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121225102501/http://app.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=764a0kf76om2osu186igm3tbeku96px4ysg006n6qv5hoiq8ep |archive-date=25 December 2012 |access-date=6 July 2012 |publisher=Land Transport Authority |df=dmy-all}} In 2018, Bedok was one of ten stations that was affected by early closures, late openings and full closures (on 21 and 28 January) of the eastern portion of the East–West Line (EWL), from 5 January to 4 February as a part of works for rail maintenance and checks for a new signalling system.{{cite web |title=Sunday closures, shorter weekend service hours on another part of East-West line in January |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sunday-closures-shorter-weekend-service-hours-on-another-part-of-9502414 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219012931/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sunday-closures-shorter-weekend-service-hours-on-another-part-of-9502414 |archive-date=19 December 2017 |access-date=16 December 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Abdullah |first1=Zhaki |date=15 December 2017 |title=Shorter weekend hours on some East-West line stations next month for engineering work |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/shorter-weekend-hours-on-some-east-west-line-stations-next-month-for-engineering |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201459/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/shorter-weekend-hours-on-some-east-west-line-stations-next-month-for-engineering |archive-date=16 December 2017 |access-date=16 December 2017 |newspaper=The Straits Times}}
= Safety =
In January 1988, during the construction of the station, a schoolgirl fell through a gap in the pavement at New Upper Changi Road that led to a 4m deep drain. The station's contractors had previously removed the barriers around the gap. The pavement subsequently had its gap covered up by a metal sheet.{{Cite news |date=January 17, 1988 |title=Girl falls 4m through gap in pavement |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19880117-1.2.23.13?qt=%22bedok%20station%22&q=%22bedok%20station%22 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=The Straits Times |pages=11 |via=NewspaperSG}}
In September 2000, a 70-year-old man was run over by an eastbound train outside of the station. The driver did see the man and applied emergency brakes, though it was too late.{{Cite news |date=September 30, 2000 |title=Man run over by MRT train |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper20000930-1.2.3.1?qt=%22bedok%20station%22&q=%22bedok%20station%22 |url-access=limited |access-date=September 26, 2024 |work=The New Paper |pages=2 |via=NewspaperSG}}
Following a rise in track intrusions as well as commuters slipping when rushing for the train, the LTA and SMRT decided to install platform screen doors.{{cite web |author=Wong, Siew Ying |date=26 January 2008 |title=Above-ground MRT stations to have platform screen doors by 2012 |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/324989/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730183552/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/324989/1/.html |archive-date=30 July 2012 |access-date=1 February 2012 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia}} After several successful tests at Jurong East, Yishun, and Pasir Ris, half-height platform screen doors were eventually installed and commenced operations at Bedok station by March 2012.{{Cite news |date=March 23, 2017 |orig-date=March 14, 2012 |title=LTA completes installing elevated MRT station screen doors early |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lta-completes-installing-elevated-mrt-station-screen-doors-early-1890761 |access-date=September 28, 2024 |work=CNA |publication-date=}}
Details
Bedok station is located on a traffic island in the central median of New Changi Upper Road, opposite of Bedok Bus Interchange.{{Cite news |date=November 16, 1989 |title=MRT station is near town centre |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/weekendeast19891116-1.2.18.1?qt=%22bedok%20station%22&q=%22bedok%20station%22 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=Weekend East |pages=8 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{Cite web |title=Bedok - Map |url=https://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/bedok/map/ |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=SMRT |type=Map}} Operated by SMRT Trains, it is between Tanah Merah and Kembangan stations on the East–West Line with the station code EW5.{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2024 |title=System Map |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/pdf/SM_TEL4_Eng_(Ver150824)_TL.pdf |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=LTA}} When it opened, it had the station code of E8{{Cite news |date=25 October 1985 |title=Going to N1, B3, W11, El2, anyone? |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19851025-1.2.46.34 |access-date=19 November 2024 |work=The Straits Times |pages=21 |via=NewspaperSG}} before being changed to its current station code in August 2001 as a part of a system-wide campaign to cater to the expanding MRT system.{{Cite news |last=Salim |first=Shazalina |date=3 August 2001 |title=Red, green and grey |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/today20010803-1.2.16.1 |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=Today |pages=9 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{Cite web |title=New Signage System For MRT And LRT Network |url=http://app.internet.gov.sg/scripts/lta/3_press_content.asp?start=294 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030801124949/http://app.internet.gov.sg/scripts/lta/3_press_content.asp?start=294 |archive-date=1 August 2003 |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=LTA}}
It is a two-story elevated station with a ticketing office on the ground floor and an island platform on the elevated floor. It has three underground exits primarily serving the Bedok Mall, Bedok Bus Interchange and the eponymous hawker centre, Heartbeat@Bedok, and Bedok Point.{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2024 |title=Bedok - Exits |url=https://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/bedok/exits/ |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=SMRT}} It has often been described as one of the busiest stations on the Eastern portion of the EWL.{{Cite news |last=Ah |first= |date=4 January 1990 |title=M4 wanted at Mandarin Gardens |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/weekendeast19900104-1.2.11.1?qt=%22bedok%20station%22&q=%22bedok%20station%22 |access-date=September 26, 2024 |work=Weekend East |pages=6 |type=Letter |via=NewspaperSG}} During its opening day, 17,614 people entered the station before 20:00 Singapore Standard Time (UTC+08:00).{{Cite news |date=November 5, 1989 |title=Page 14 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/page/straitstimes19891105-1.1.14 |access-date=September 26, 2024 |work=The Straits Times |pages=14 |via=NewspaperSG}}
File:EW5 Bedok MRT Exit A 20201017 161304.jpg
Similar to EWL stations in the east, Bedok has a dome-shaped roof; it has been compared by The Straits Times to a caterpillar in one article{{Cite news |date=20 April 1986 |title=Roof to make heads turn |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19860420-1.2.22.25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212094207/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19860420-1.2.22.25 |archive-date=12 December 2020 |access-date=12 December 2020 |work=The Straits Times}} and a rib cage in another article.{{Cite news |date=15 December 1989 |title=Residents get sneak preview of three new MRT stations |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19891215-1.2.44.2?qt=%22simei%20station%22&q=%22simei%20station%22 |access-date=October 9, 2024 |work=The Straits Times |pages=32 |via=NewspaperSG}} The design was an attempt by the MRT Corporation (MRTC) to give the stations on the EWL an "attractive look".{{Cite news |date=20 April 1986 |title=Roof to make heads turn |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19860420-1.2.22.25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212094207/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19860420-1.2.22.25 |archive-date=12 December 2020 |access-date=12 December 2020 |work=The Straits Times}} The platform is also column-free so that it gives commuters "maximum visibility of the area and ease of movement".{{Cite news |date=November 16, 1989 |title=MRT station is near town centre |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/weekendeast19891116-1.2.18.1?qt=%22bedok%20station%22&q=%22bedok%20station%22 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=Weekend East |pages=8 |via=NewspaperSG}} Additionally, as a part of SMRT's heritage-themed artwork showcase Comic Connect, the station features a mural created by students from APSN Katong school.{{Cite web |title=Commuters & Communities - Comic Connect |url=https://www.smrt.com.sg/public-transport/commuters-communities/connecting-communities/arts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006001052/https://www.smrt.com.sg/public-transport/commuters-communities/connecting-communities/arts/ |archive-date=6 October 2024 |access-date=6 October 2024 |website=SMRT}} The mural showcases Bedok's history and landmarks such as the Bedok Reservoir, Opera and Frankel residential estates, and Simpang Bedok–a former village turned food hub.{{Cite web |title=Bedok |url=https://www.smrt.com.sg/getmedia/a8361d27-95de-4f3f-9852-83457c2a2e16/cropped-bedok.jpg?width=1200&height=676&ext=.jpg |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=SMRT}}{{clear|left}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{commons category-inline|Bedok MRT Station}}
- {{Official website|http://www.smrt.com.sg/Trains/NetworkMap/Bedok.aspx}}
{{Singapore MRT stations|east-west=yes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bedok MRT station}}