Buangkok MRT station

File:NE15 Buangkok MRT Platforms 20210827 132626.jpg

The North East Line (NEL) Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project was first proposed by the Government of Singapore in 1984.{{cite news |title=Study on Future North-East Line |work=Business Times |date=26 September 1984 |via=NewspaperSG |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19840926-1.2.4 }}{{cbignore}} The government eventually decided to proceed with the project in January 1996.{{cite news |title=Immediate Start for North-East Line |page=1 |work= The Straits Times |date=20 January 1996 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/assets/images/ST175/NewspaperSG/1996-01-20/full.jpg |access-date=10 December 2021 }}{{cbignore}} Buangkok station was one of sixteen NEL stations announced in March 1996 by communications minister Mah Bow Tan.{{cite news |last=Leong |first=Chan Teik |date=5 March 1996 |title=16 MRT stations for 20-km North-East line |work=The Straits Times |page=1 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/assets/images/ST175/NewspaperSG/1996-03-05/full.jpg |access-date=5 January 2025}} At the time, the Land Transport Authority indicated that a portion of the North East Line containing Buangkok station could possibly be ready before 2002. That portion of the North East Line "will open first, before year 2002", reported The Straits Times.

The contract for the construction of Sengkang and Buangkok stations was awarded to a joint venture between Sato Kogyo Company and Hock Lian Seng Engineering on 26 April 1997.{{Cite web |title=Projects |url=https://hlsgroup.com.sg/current-past-track-records.html?start=1 |access-date=11 July 2020 |website=hlsgroup.com.sg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421101037/https://hlsgroup.com.sg/current-past-track-records.html?start=1 |archive-date=21 April 2020 |url-status=live}} The S$166.38 million (US${{To USD|166.38|Singapore|year=1997|r=1}} million) contract included the construction of {{convert|1.6|km|abbr=on}} of connecting tunnels between the stations and {{convert|1.2|km|abbr=out}} of reception tunnels to Sengkang Depot.{{cite news |title=Contracts Awarded for Four NE-Line MRT Stations |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19970427-1.2.42.15 |access-date=26 August 2022 |work=The Straits Times |date=27 April 1997 |page=37 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{cbignore}}{{sfn |Leong |2003 |pp=185, 187}}

Buangkok station was constructed in a forested area that was proposed to be redeveloped into a new town.{{sfn |Leong |2003 |p=183}} After the forest was cleared and the vacated warehouses around the site were demolished, the site was excavated to a depth of up to {{cvt|20|m|ft}}, and work on the station then proceeded. Once construction was complete, new roads connected the station to the road system.{{sfn |Leong |2003 |p=184}}

On 17 June 2003, the NEL operator SBS Transit announced two stations on the line – Woodleigh and Buangkok – would not open with the other stations on 20 June 2003 because of the lack of development in their areas.{{cite news |last1=Goh |first1=Chin Lian |title=N-E Line ready to roll, but expect glitches |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20030618-1.2.2 |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=The Straits Times |date=18 June 2003}} Housing demand had declined due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the economic downturn following the September 11 attacks. Consequently, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) had reduced its development plans in the north-east of Singapore.{{cite book | last1=Chow | first1=Clarice | last2=Chia | first2=Jean | last3=Zhan | first3=Mina | title=Integrating Land Use & Mobility: Supporting Sustainable Growth | publisher=Centre for Liveable Cities | publication-place=Singapore | date=2018 | isbn=978-981-11-7091-1 | page=57|url=https://www.clc.gov.sg/docs/default-source/urban-systems-studies/uss-integ-land-use-mobility.pdf?sfvrsn=184bcefa_4}} SBS Transit said keeping the stations closed would reduce annual operating costs by S$2-to-3 million{{cite news |last1=Lim|first1=Kenneth| url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20030618-1.2.9.4 | title=Two of 16 NEL Stations Won't Open on Debut |newspaper=The Business Times |date=18 June 2003 |page=2}} and that the station would need a daily ridership of 5,000 for it to be commercially viable. The company apologised for the "late notice", saying the decision was only made in May when the NEL fare structure was approved, with "approved fares were lower than what we had applied for". The company also said that the closure was not an "easy decision" and that it had deliberated on the matter for months.

Residents around the station were upset by the sudden decision; grassroots leaders had previously assured them the station would open.{{cite news |last1=Loh |first1=Sherwin |date=18 June 2003 |title=Buangkok MRT Delay Frustrates Commuters |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/1zkmkd.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506115604/https://litter.catbox.moe/1zkmkd.PDF |archive-date=6 May 2024 |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times|via=Nexis Uni}}{{cite news |last=Goh |first=Chin Lian |date=29 August 2003 |title=Buangkok Station May Open in Three Years |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/p046e5.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506120604/https://litter.catbox.moe/p046e5.PDF |archive-date=6 May 2024 |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=3 |via=Nexis Uni}} Charles Chong, the Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris–Punggol, echoed the residents' sentiments.{{cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Christopher |date=10 July 2003 |title=Residents Pile on Pressure to Open Buangkok MRT |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/8pi23j.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506115622/https://litter.catbox.moe/8pi23j.PDF |archive-date=6 May 2024 |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=5 |ref=ChristopherTanAugust2005|via=Nexis Uni}} A poll of residents living within {{convert|700|m|ft|abbr=on}} of the station showed that nearly 7 in 10 were willing to walk to the station, contrary to SBS Transit's claim that few commuters would be willing to walk more than {{convert|400|m|ft}} to a station.{{cite news |last1=Lim |first1=Vincent |date=17 July 2003 |title=SBS Explains Buangkok Decision |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/4esvv4.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506120201/https://litter.catbox.moe/4esvv4.PDF |archive-date=6 May 2024 |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=20|via=Nexis Uni}} Residents polled also said it would be more convenient for them to use Buangkok station than the adjacent stations at Sengkang and Hougang. According to SBS Transit, the poll, which was launched by Chong and conducted with academics from the National University of Singapore (NUS), was flawed and did not take into account the frequency of commuters' use.{{cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Christopher |date=23 July 2003 |title=People Willing to Walk to Buangkok MRT, Says Survey |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/c1826f.PDF |url-status=live |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=6 |via=Nexis Uni |ref=none |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506120335/https://litter.catbox.moe/c1826f.PDF }}

In July 2003, the transport minister Yeo Cheow Tong denied the station was a "white elephant",{{Cite news |date=20 July 2003 |title=Lesson from Buangkok station: Give early warning |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/ocboat.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812115952/https://litter.catbox.moe/ocboat.PDF |archive-date=12 August 2024 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=32 |via=Nexis Uni}} despite some residents calling it such.{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Christopher |date=10 August 2003 |title=NEL: Whose white elephant will it be? |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/zw9hsu.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812115958/https://litter.catbox.moe/zw9hsu.PDF |archive-date=12 August 2024 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=34 |via=Nexis Uni}}{{refn|group=note|A white elephant is an idiom for impractical possessions that are expensive to maintain but cannot be disposed of.{{cite web | title=White Elephant | website=Cambridge Dictionary | date=4 December 2024 | url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/white-elephant?q=White+Elephant | access-date=7 December 2024}}}} In August, the government acknowledged SBS Transit had made mistakes in delaying the announcement but supported the company's decision and rationale due to low passenger demand in the area.{{cite news |last=Goh |first=Chin Lian |date=15 August 2003 |title=SBS Transit 'Made Mistakes' over Buangkok Station |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/fedfql.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506120345/https://litter.catbox.moe/fedfql.PDF |archive-date=6 May 2024 |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |via=Nexis Uni |page=5}} At the official opening ceremony of the NEL on 28 August 2003, deputy prime minister Lee Hsien Loong said Buangkok station would open in 2006 after more flats were built in the area. In the meantime, the government provided more feeder bus services for residents in the area.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mot.gov.sg/news-centre/news/Detail/Speech%20By%20Deputy%20Prime%20Minister%20Mr%20Lee%20Hsien%20Loong%20At%20The%20Official%20Opening%20Of%20The%20North%20East%20Line%20And%20Sengkang%20LRT%20System%20on%2028%20August%202003/ |title=Speech By Deputy Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong At The Official Opening Of The North East Line And Sengkang LRT System on 28 August 2003 |website=Ministry of Transport |language=en |access-date=25 April 2020 |archive-date=10 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910103738/https://www.mot.gov.sg/news-centre/news/Detail/Speech%20By%20Deputy%20Prime%20Minister%20Mr%20Lee%20Hsien%20Loong%20At%20The%20Official%20Opening%20Of%20The%20North%20East%20Line%20And%20Sengkang%20LRT%20System%20on%2028%20August%202003/ |url-status=dead}} In response to residents' plans to gift SBS Transit a white-elephant statue, Lee said at the ceremony that Buangkok station would be a "bigger white elephant" if the station was to serve no passengers after its opening.

On 27 July 2005, to address SBS Transit's doubts, Chong and other grassroots leaders launched another survey, interviewing 495 residents near Punggol station. The survey found 65% of the respondents who lived within {{cvt|400|m|ft}} of the station walked there seven times a week.{{cite news |last1=Loo |first1=Serene |last2=Leow |first2=Joanne |title=Residents Willing to Walk over 400 Metres to Buangkok Station: Survey |work=Channel NewsAsia |date=27 July 2005 |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/160095/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051201114223/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/160095/1/.html |archive-date=1 December 2005}}{{cite news |last1=Goh |first1=Chin Lian |date=28 July 2005 |title=Buangkok MRT: New Poll Fails to Move SBS |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/soyz6k.PDF |access-date=6 May 2024 |page=4 |via=Nexis Uni |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506121003/https://litter.catbox.moe/soyz6k.PDF |url-status=live }} SBS Transit was unconvinced by the polls, saying there needed to be enough people who would walk to Buangkok station. Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) would re-evaluate the distance criteria and expand the catchment radius from {{cvt|400|m|ft}} to {{cvt|500|m|ft}} because there were about 2,300 homes within {{cvt|500|m|ft}} of Buangkok station.{{cite news |last1=Goh |first1=Chin Lian |date=5 August 2004 |title=Buangkok: Distance Issue May Be Reviewed |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/zb0l7h.PDF |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=4 |via=Nexis Uni |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506121044/https://litter.catbox.moe/zb0l7h.PDF |url-status=live }}

When youth minister Vivian Balakrishnan was on his way to Punggol South on 28 August, he saw eight white, cardboard elephants had been erected along the road toward Buangkok station.{{cite news |last1=Low |first1=Aaron |date=29 August 2005 |title=Buangkok Opening a Matter of Time: Vivian |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/bm5jtj.PDF |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=2 |via=Nexis Uni |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506121151/https://litter.catbox.moe/bm5jtj.PDF |url-status=dead }} This prompted the minister to visit the unopened station. In a discussion with the residents, he said the station's opening would be a "matter of time" following the construction of the 2,000 residential units. Dissatisfaction with the station's continued closure increased after the announcement of transport fare rises, said Charles Chong.{{cite news |last1=Majid |first1=Hasnita |title=Residents Bring up 'White Elephant' Buangkok MRT During Minister's Visit |work=Channel NewsAsia |date=28 August 2005 |url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/95206.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060109164043/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/165384/1/.html |archive-date=9 January 2006}} After the minister's visit, the elephant cut-outs were removed.{{cite news |date=3 September 2005 |title=Residents Shocked at 'White Elephant' Police Probe |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/u1ie0z.PDF |url-status=dead |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=3 |via=Nexis Uni |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506121614/https://litter.catbox.moe/u1ie0z.PDF }}

On 1 September, following a complaint, the police launched an investigation into the cut-outs under the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act. Residents and community leaders expressed shock at the investigation, saying there was no ill intent and that the cut-outs were a creative way to bring the issue to the minister.{{cite news |last1=Low |first1=Aaron |date=2 September 2005 |title=Police Probe Complaint on 'White Elephants' |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/11t0qs.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707111628/https://litter.catbox.moe/11t0qs.PDF |archive-date=7 July 2024 |access-date=7 July 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=8 |via=Nexis Uni}} In a letter to The Straits Times, sociologist Chua Beng Huat commented the investigation was "paranoid"; he criticized the press for treating what he saw as a municipal-level issue as a "national issue" due to Singapore's single-tier government.{{Cite journal |last=Chong |first=Terence |date=2006 |title=Singapore: Globalizing on Its Own Terms |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/399611/pdf |journal=Southeast Asian Affairs |volume=2006 |issue=1 |page=274 |issn=1793-9135 |url-access=registration}}{{Cite news |last=Chua |first=Beng Huat |title=White-Elephant Saga Isn't a National Issue |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/9mhdm6.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707112735/https://litter.catbox.moe/9mhdm6.PDF |archive-date=7 July 2024 |access-date=7 July 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=8}} On 6 October, the police closed the investigation without pressing charges, though they sternly warned one veteran grassroots leader for an infringement of the Act.{{cite web |title=Conclusion of Police's Investigations into the White Elephants Placards |website=Singapore Police Force |access-date=26 September 2019 |url=http://spf.gov.sg/mic/2005/051006_conludewhiteelephant.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607074152/http://spf.gov.sg/mic/2005/051006_conludewhiteelephant.htm |archive-date=7 June 2007 |date=6 October 2005}}{{cite web |last1=Ng |first1=Julia |title=Stern Police Warning for Offender Who Planted "White Elephants" at Buangkok MRT |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/172083/1/.html |website=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001005603/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/172083/1/.html |archive-date=1 October 2007 |date=6 October 2005 |url-status=dead}} Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said the investigation was initiated because they could not selectively enforce legislation otherwise the law would become "the real white elephant".{{cite news |last1=Chua |first1=Val |title=Elephant Probe Ends with Slap on the Wrist |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/today20051007-2.2.93.2 |access-date=2 April 2024 |work=Today |date=7 October 2005 |page=2|via=NewspaperSG}}{{cbignore}} Following the white-elephant incident, students from Raffles Girls' School (RGS) had formed a group called "Project White Elephant" that was aimed at encouraging youth to take an active role in politics. T-shirts bearing the words "Save the White Elephants" were created and sold to raise funds for a charity, Youth Guidance.

Following the incident, Yeo asked the LTA to re-examine whether there was adequate passenger demand to justify the station's opening.{{cite news |date=30 August 2005 |title=Buangkok Station: Yeo Cheow Tong Wants LTA Reply Within 'A Month or So' |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/w91492.PDF |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=4 |via=Nexis Uni |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506121244/https://litter.catbox.moe/w91492.PDF |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Popatlal |first1=Asha |title=LTA to Complete Study on Buangkok Station in 1–2 Months: Yeo |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/165574/1/.html |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=Channel NewsAsia |date=29 August 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051201190756/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/165574/1/.html |archive-date=1 December 2005|url-status=dead}} In September 2005, Yeo said the expected opening date had been further postponed to 2008 following LTA's projections for the housing development plans for the area; only 500 residential units had been completed within {{convert|400|m|ft}} of the station. The LTA continued to review the feasibility of opening the station sooner.{{cite news |last=Kwek |first=Ken |date=20 September 2005 |title=LTA Needs a Few Months for Buangkok Review |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/l0ump9.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628015227/https://litter.catbox.moe/l0ump9.PDF |archive-date=28 June 2024 |access-date=28 June 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=3 |via=Nexis Uni}} On 11 November 2005, Yeo announced Buangkok station would open the following January after SBS Transit agreed to the opening due to reduced losses from its rail operations. Yeo denied pressuring the operator to open the station and said the opening was due to "tireless appeals" by Chong.{{cite news |last1=Goh |first1=Chin Lian |date=12 November 2005 |title=It's Confirmed: Buangkok Station Opens in Jan |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/hxvwo0.PDF |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=3 |via=Nexis Uni |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506121732/https://litter.catbox.moe/hxvwo0.PDF |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Buangkok MRT Station to Open by mid-January 2006 |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/178137/1/.html |website=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930221021/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/178137/1/.html |archive-date=30 September 2007 |date=11 November 2005 |url-status=dead}} In December, the opening date was scheduled for 15 January.{{cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Christopher |date=31 December 2005 |title=Buangkok Station Opens on Jan 15 |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/4ach7s.PDF |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=7 |via=Nexis Uni |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506121815/https://litter.catbox.moe/4ach7s.PDF |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Zahara |first1=Rita |title=Buangkok MRT Station to Open on January 15 |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporeloca |website=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060101062459/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/185850/1/.html |archive-date=1 January 2006 |date=29 December 2005 |url-status=dead}} Before the opening, SBS Transit staff tested the station's equipment and had the station cleaned.{{cite web |last1=Majid |first1=Hasnita |title=Preparations Underway at Buangkok MRT Station for Official Opening |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/187318/1/.html |website=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060111082014/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/187318/1/.html |archive-date=11 January 2006 |date=9 January 2006 |url-status=dead}}

File:RGS Save the White Elephants.png.|alt=An image of a white elephant surrounded by the words "Save the white elephants" in a black backdrop]]

Punggol South grassroots leaders invited RGS students to sell their remaining "Save the White Elephants" t-shirts at the carnival for the station's opening event. During the preparations for the carnival, the police sent an advisory to the students and carnival organisers, saying a fund-raising permit was required for them to sell the shirts and warning the organisers "wearing the T-shirts en masse may be misconstrued by some as an offence under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public & Order & Nuisance) (Assemblies & Processions) Rules". The police said they would make an exception to process the fund-raising permit in time for the event.{{cite news |title=Teens' White Elephant T-Shirt Venture Gets Police Attention |work=Today |date=14 January 2006 |url=http://www.todayonline.com/articles/95206.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060116035840/http://www.todayonline.com/articles/95206.asp |archive-date=16 January 2006}} No one, including the girls selling them, wore the shirts at the station's opening, and the celebrations proceeded without issues. Wong later apologised for the police's overreaction to the incident.{{cite news |last1=Ng |first1=Julia |title=Police Overreacted to White Elephant T-Shirt Incident: DPM Wong |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |date=21 January 2006 |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/189327/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930235446/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/189327/1/.html |archive-date=30 September 2007}}

The station opened as scheduled "with much fanfare", beginning with a walk-a-jog to the station that was led by the event's guest-of-honour, the defence minister Teo Chee Hean; this was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Station operations began at 12:55{{nbsp}}pm.{{Cite news |last1=Koo |first1=Edwin |last2=Tan |first2=Theresa |date=16 January 2006 |title=All Aboard at 'White Elephant' Station |url=https://litter.catbox.moe/ma2x5o.PDF |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Straits Times |page=4 |via=Nexis Uni |archive-date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506121956/https://litter.catbox.moe/ma2x5o.PDF |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Buangkok NEL Station Commences Revenue Service Amid Great Fanfare|url=https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/2006jan_15-1.aspx|publisher=SBS Transit|access-date=29 August 2019|date=15 January 2006|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829124014/https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/2006jan_15-1.aspx|url-status=dead}} After its opening, the station averaged only 1,386 daily riders instead of the expected 6,000.{{Cite news |last=Goh |first=Chin Lian |date=24 January 2006 |title=Poor Buangkok MRT Ridership Since Opening |page=H4 |work=The Straits Times}} Many residents still travelled to the adjacent Sengkang and Hougang stations due to the retail and commercial amenities there.{{Cite news |last1=Fong |first1=Samantha |last2=Huang |first2=Esther |last3=Wong |first3=Cheric |date=23 February 2006 |title=Aiyoh, So Creepy at Night |work=The New Paper |page=6}} SBS Transit, after saying it was still "too early to draw a conclusion" about ridership, remained committed to keeping the station open to serve future developments nearby.

File:NE15 Buangkok MRT concourse.jpg

Buangkok station, which has the station code of NE15, serves the North East Line (NEL) of the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and is located between Hougang and Sengkang stations.{{cite web |title=MRT System Map |publisher=Land Transport Authority |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/pdf/tel2_sm-20-03-en-exp.pdf |access-date=3 October 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903005548/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/pdf/tel2_sm-20-03-en-exp.pdf |archive-date=3 September 2021}} Buangkok station is operated by SBS Transit and runs daily from about 5:45{{spaces}}a.m. to 12:25{{spaces}}a.m.{{cite web |title=Getting Around – Public Transport – Rail Network |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101093543/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network.html |archive-date=1 November 2019 |access-date=27 April 2021 |publisher=Land Transport Authority}}{{cite web |date=2 June 2020 |title=First Train/ Last Train |publisher=SBS Transit |url=https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/first-train-last-train |access-date=2 December 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128080621/https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/first-train-last-train |archive-date=28 November 2019}} Train frequencies vary from 2.5 to 5 minutes.{{cite web |date=6 May 2020 |title=Transport Tools – MRT/LRT |publisher=Land Transport Authority |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/map/train.html |access-date=19 June 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101093932/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/map/train.html |archive-date=1 November 2019}}

Buangkok station is located in Sengkang along the road of Sengkang Central near the junction with Compassvale Bow.{{cite web |title=Buangkok MRT Station (NE15) |url=https://www.onemap.gov.sg/?lat=1.3828701&lng=103.8931226 |website=OneMap |publisher=Singapore Land Authority |access-date=26 August 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |title=Train Service Information |publisher=SBS Transit |url=https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/Service/TrainInformation?TrainLine=NEL&Station=BGK |access-date=26 August 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826132746/https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/Service/TrainInformation?TrainLine=NEL&Station=BGK |url-status=live }} The station has two entrances that serve the surrounding HDB flats, and Palm View Primary School and North Vista Primary School. The station serves Sengkang Grand Residences, an integrated commercial-and-residential development that includes Sengkang Grand Mall for retail, and Buangkok Bus Interchange.{{cite web |title=Sengkang Grand Residences Sees 216 Units Sold on Launch Weekend |website=The Straits Times |date=3 November 2019 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/sengkang-grand-residences-sees-216-units-sold-on-launch-weekend |access-date=26 August 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826121137/https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/sengkang-grand-residences-sees-216-units-sold-on-launch-weekend |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Sengkang Grand Residences Apartments to Launch at Prices Starting from $798,000 |website=The Straits Times |date=23 October 2019 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/uncategorized/sengkang-grand-residences-apartments-to-launch-at-prices-starting-from-798000 |access-date=26 August 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826121249/https://www.straitstimes.com/uncategorized/sengkang-grand-residences-apartments-to-launch-at-prices-starting-from-798000 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Award of tender for the commercial and residential site at Sengkang Central |website=Urban Redevelopment Authority |date=15 March 2024 |url=https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Media-Room/Media-Releases/pr18-50 |access-date=2 April 2024 |archive-date=2 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402073615/https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Media-Room/Media-Releases/pr18-50 |url-status=live }} The new bus interchange opened on 1 December 2024.{{Cite web |title=New Buangkok Bus Interchange to Start Operations on 1 December 2024 |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2024/11/news-releases/new_buangkok_bus_interchange_to_start_operations.html |access-date=2024-11-11 |website= |publisher=Land Transport Authority}}

Altoon + Porter Architects and 3HP Architects designed the station.{{cite web |title=Transit Oriented Design |publisher=Altoon |url=https://www.altoon.com/experience/transit-oriented-design/ |access-date=12 April 2024 |archive-date=12 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412021805/https://www.altoon.com/experience/transit-oriented-design/ |url-status=live }} Unlike other NEL stations, the design of the station entrances does not include glass; white Teflon sheets are supported by metal frames cover the entrances,{{cite news |title=Local Flavour for Stops Along N-E Line |work=The Straits Times |date=7 August 2002 |page=8}} resembling a circus tent.{{sfn|Tan|2003|p=150|ref=SuYenTan2003}} Like all other NEL stations, the platforms are wheelchair accessible. A tactile system, consisting of tiles with rounded-or-elongated raised studs,{{cite web |date=30 July 2021 |title=Tactile Guiding System: Studs and Strips to Guide Your Way |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/who_we_are/statistics_and_publications/Connect/tactile-guiding-system.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911021750/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/who_we_are/statistics_and_publications/Connect/tactile-guiding-system.html |archive-date=11 September 2021 |access-date=11 September 2021 |publisher=Land Transport Authority}} guides visually impaired commuters through the station.{{sfn|Leong|2003|p=248}} Dedicated tactile routes connect the station entrances to the platforms.{{sfn|Leong|2003|p=249}}

Buangkok station is designated as a Civil Defence (CD) shelter;{{cite news |date=14 February 2003 |title=Chemical Attack? Clean-Up At N-E Line |work=The Straits Times}}{{cite web |title=List of Public CD Shelters as of 31 Dec 2019 |publisher=Singapore Civil Defence Force |url=https://www.scdf.gov.sg/docs/default-source/scdf-library/fssd-downloads/list-of-public-cd-shelters-as-of-31-dec-2019.pdf |access-date=3 September 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903080538/https://www.scdf.gov.sg/docs/default-source/scdf-library/fssd-downloads/list-of-public-cd-shelters-as-of-31-dec-2019.pdf}} it is designed to accommodate around 7,500 people, withstand airstrikes and remove toxic air. Equipment essential for the operations in the CD shelter is mounted on shock absorbers to prevent damage during a bombing. When the electrical supply to the shelter is disrupted, backup generators keep operations going.{{sfn|Leong|2003|p=253}} The shelter has dedicated, built-in, decontamination chambers and dry toilets with collection bins that will send human waste out of the shelter.{{cite news |date=16 February 2003 |title=Fancy that, dry toilets grab most interest {{!}} Battle stations |work=The Straits Times |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |page=21}}

File:NE15 Buangkok MRT 20201020 080807.jpg

The artwork Water, Nature & Contemporary by Vincent Leow is displayed at Buangkok station as part of the Art-in-Transit programme, a showcase of public artworks on the MRT network.{{cite web |title=Art in Transit |publisher=Land Transport Authority |date=9 November 2022 |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/a_better_public_transport_experience/art_in_public_transport/art_in_transit.html |access-date=13 November 2022 |archive-date=13 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113102534/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/a_better_public_transport_experience/art_in_public_transport/art_in_transit.html |url-status=live }} The artwork consists of two strips of images displayed across the staircase voids of the station concourse.{{sfn|Tan|2003|p=150|ref=SuYenTan2003}} These black-and-white photographs are silkscreened on vitreous enamel panels, reminiscent of cinematic stills and film strips.{{sfn|Tan|2003|p=151|ref=SuYenTan2003}} Through colourful embellishments of dots, graphic motifs, and bands, Leow intended to capture commuters' attention while creating "a bright and happy ambience" through "the explosion of colours".{{sfn|Tan|2003|p=151|ref=SuYenTan2003}} Also incorporated in the artwork are auspicious symbols, including depictions of fishes and red-or-tangerine clouds. The clouds are inspired by traditional Chinese art and street theatre, which are familiar to many Singaporeans.{{sfn|Tan|2003|p=152|ref=SuYenTan2003}}

Leow, who is known for his paintings and sculptures, saw "an opportunity to experiment" and decided to "push his artistic boundaries" by fusing art and photography.{{sfn|Tan|2003|p=150|ref=SuYenTan2003}} These photographs depict people, activities, and natural landscapes in Singapore. They were retrieved from the National Archives of Singapore and curated by Leow to reflect the lifestyle of old Buangkok and rural Singapore, and for commuters to connect the past with the future.{{sfn|Tan|2003|p=150|ref=SuYenTan2003}} The images function as a commentary on life in Singapore; for example, Leow intended a photograph of a soldier on parade to remind Singaporean men of National Service and their "rite of passage into adulthood".{{sfn|Tan|2003|p=151|ref=SuYenTan2003}} The enlarged photographs resulted in an abstract appearance; when observed from a distance, the images come into clear focus.{{sfn|Tan|2003|p=150|ref=SuYenTan2003}}

{{Reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book |last=Leong |first=Chan Teik |location=Singapore |title=Getting there: The story of the North East Line |publisher=Land Transport Authority |year=2003 |isbn=981-04-5886-X |oclc=53383062}}
• {{cite book |last=Tan |first=Su Yen |title=Art in Transit: North East Line MRT |publisher=Land Transport Authority |publication-place=Singapore |year=2003 |isbn=981-04-7384-2 |oclc=52771106|ref=SuYenTan2003}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061007234629/http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/nel/trpt_nel_systemdetail.asp?statcode=NE15 Official website]
• {{Commons category-inline|Buangkok MRT Station}}

{{Singapore MRT stations|north-east=yes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buangkok MRT station}}

Category:Railway stations in Singapore opened in 2006

Category:Railway stations in Sengkang

Category:Sengkang

Category:Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) stations