Bugis MRT station

File:Bugis MRT Station.jpg

What was then known as Rochore station was included in the early plans of the MRT network published in May 1982.{{Cite news |date=23 May 1982 |title=Proposed MRT stations |author= |page=1 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19820523-1.2.9 |access-date=12 December 2020 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{cbignore}} The station was officially confirmed as Victoria station when the Phase II stations were announced in October 1983.{{cite news |title=Locations of MRT stations |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19831026-1.2.3 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |date=26 October 1983 |page=1 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{cbignore}} The contract for the construction of Victoria station and the adjacent {{MRT station|Lavender}} station was awarded to a joint venture between Nishimatsu and Lum Chang Pte Ltd for {{SGD|227100000}} (US${{To USD|{{Inflation|SG|227|1983}}|SGP|year=2019|r=1}} million in {{Inflation/year|SG}}) in October 1985. The contract included the construction of tunnels between Bras Basah Road and the Kallang River.{{cite news |author= |date=12 October 1985 |title=Nishimatsu/ Lum Chang wins $227m MRT contract |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19851012-1.2.39 |work=Business Times | publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |location=Singapore |via=NewspaperSG |page=12 }}{{cbignore}}

The Barisan Sosialis headquarters along Victoria Street was acquired for the MRT project.{{cite news |title=Barisan HQ acquired for MRT |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19840229-1.2.22.6 |work=The Straits Times |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |date=29 February 1984|location=Singapore |via=NewspaperSG|page=8}}{{cbignore}} To facilitate construction works for the station, the Soon Theng Khong temple at Malabar Street was relocated to Albert Street in March 1986, while shophouses close to the temple were demolished. The MRTC and contractors also monitored other old buildings close to the station site for any movement during construction.{{cite news |author= |date=3 March 1986 |title=165-year-old temple makes way for Victoria stop |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19860303-1.2.21.30 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=4 December 2021 |via=NewspaperSG |page=13 }}{{cbignore}}

It was initially planned to close off Victoria Street to allow cut-and-cover construction of tunnels between Victoria and Lavender due to the soft marine clay. However, the contractors instead proposed strengthening the soil to allow the boring of tunnels, which was accepted by the MRT Corporation (MRTC).{{cite news |title=Underground MRT work in Victoria Street |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19851012-1.2.22.33 |work=The Straits Times |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |date=12 October 1985 |location=Singapore |page=14|via=NewspaperSG}}{{cbignore}} A section of Victoria Street between Rochor Road and Cheng Yan Road was realigned for six months from June to December 1986 to allow the implementation of diaphragm walls at the station site.{{cite news |author= |date=19 June 1986 |title=Traffic diversion for MRT works |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19860619-1.2.10.5 |work=Business Times | publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |location=Singapore |access-date=4 December 2021 |via=NewspaperSG |page=2 }}{{cbignore}}

In response to a suggestion by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, the station was renamed Bugis in November 1986 after Bugis Street, a tourist spot near the station.{{cite news |last=Dhaliwal |first=Rav |date=28 November 1986 |title=Three MRT stations to be renamed |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19861128-1.2.26.15 |work=The Straits Times | publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |location=Singapore |access-date=4 December 2021 |via=NewspaperSG |page=15 }}{{cbignore}} Bugis station opened on 18 November 1989 as part of the MRT system's eastern line from this station to Tanah Merah.{{Cite news|last=Dhaliwal|first=Rav|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19891104-1.2.33.1|title=East-enders get ticket to ride as MRT opens line|work=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|access-date=21 April 2020|via=NewspaperSG|page=23|date=4 November 1989}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19891104-1.2.34.1|title=MRT goes east|work=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|access-date=21 April 2020|via=NewspaperSG|page=23|date=4 November 1989}}{{cbignore}}

File:DT14 Bugis MRT Platforms 20220605 150927.jpg

In April 2007, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that Bugis station would be part of the first stage of the Downtown line (DTL).{{cite web| last=Loh|first=Dominique|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/272864/1/.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209113025/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/272864/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 December 2012| title=Govt approves S$12b MRT Downtown Line to be built by 2018| publisher=Mediacorp | website=Channel NewsAsia | date=27 April 2007}} The contract for the construction of the DTL station and its associated tunnels was awarded to a joint venture between Soletanche Bachy and Koh Brothers for S$582 million (US${{ToUSD|582|Singapore|year=2008|r=1}} million) in November 2008.{{cite news |last=Tan |first=Christopher |date=22 November 2008 |title=S'pore-French venture wins Bugis contract |work=The Straits Times | publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |location=Singapore |page=66 }} Construction of the station was expected to begin in the first quarter of 2009, with a set completion date of 2013, and involved the diversion of Rochor Road.{{cite web |title=Award Of Civil Works Contract (C903) For Downtown Line 1 Bugis Station |url=http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp%3Fstart%3D2049 |publisher=Land Transport Authority |access-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230727065437/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/2011-09-19%2009:56:51.000/wp/details/http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp%3Fstart%3D2049 |archive-date=27 July 2023 |date=21 November 2008 |via=Web Archive Singapore |url-status=dead}}

The New 7th Storey Hotel was acquired by the government, as part of the hotel site was needed to construct the station's facilities such as lifts and escalators.{{cite news |last=Yeo |first=Ghim Lay |date=27 June 2008 |title=55-year-old hotel to make way for MRT |work=The Straits Times | publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |location=Singapore |page=38 }}{{cite news | url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/356533/1/.html | title=New 7th Storey Hotel to make way for Downtown Line development | publisher=Mediacorp | work=Channel NewsAsia | date=26 June 2008 | archive-date=3 March 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303183417/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/356533/1/.html | url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=New DTL Bugis Station |url=http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/PublicTransport/files/New-DTL-Bugis-Station.pdf |publisher=Land Transport Authority |access-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/wayback/20130322160700/http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/PublicTransport/files/New-DTL-Bugis-Station.pdf |archive-date=22 March 2013 |date=26 June 2008 |url-status=dead }} While the hotel staff and patrons were dismayed by the news, with some petitioning to the LTA to retain the hotel, the LTA explained that construction works would affect the hotel's structure and that it could risk collapse due to the soft marine clay,{{cite news |last1=Tay |first1=Suan Chiang |title=Hard to say goodbye |work=The Straits Times |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |date=6 July 2008|page=47}} which consistency had been compared with toothpaste.{{sfn|Feng|2017|p=56}} In addition, the DHL Balloon was taken down in October 2008 as the site was needed for the station's construction.{{cite news |last=Chong |first=April |date=7 October 2008 |title=So long, it's been a thrilling 2 1/2 years |work=The Straits Times | publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |location=Singapore |page=34 }}

The soft marine clay at the station site was strengthened using cross walls,{{sfn | Sim | 2013 | p=184}} alongside cement and fibreglass.{{sfn | Feng | 2017 | p=60}} Mining was used to construct tunnels at Beach Road, Queen Street, and under the existing EWL station.{{sfn | Sim | 2013 | p=186}} Clearance issues in certain portions of the tunnel necessitated the manual installation of steel frames during excavation.{{sfn | Sim | 2013 | p=187}} For the tunnels at Beach Road and Queen Street, the soil around the tunnels was stabilised using jet grouting, a retaining structure comprising horizontal pipe piles was installed using compressed air-operated hammers, and steel frames were used to support the piles during the tunnels' construction.{{sfn | Sim | 2013 | p=186}} This allowed excavation under the existing EWL station.{{sfn | Feng | 2017 | p=60}}

Most of the station was built using the cut-and-cover method, with a bottom-up method used for the section between North Bridge Road and Beach Road.{{sfn | Sim | 2013 | p=184}} The top-down method was used for the part between North Bridge Road and Queen Street, as the road above could not be easily diverted, with excavation commencing only after the walls and roof of the station were built. To mitigate noise pollution, an acoustic screen was installed beside a residential area, and a special enclosure was constructed around the excavation site.{{sfn | Sim | 2013 | p=185}} On 18 July 2012, the collapse of scaffolding holding up the roof of a linkway at the station site resulted in the death of two workers and eight others injured.{{cite news |last=Foo |first=Kenneth |date=19 July 2012 |title=Two dead, 8 injured at MRT worksite |work=Business Times | publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |location=Singapore |page=11}}

Bugis station held an open house on 7 December 2013.{{Cite web |title=Celebrate "Music Through The Years" at Downtown Line 1 Stations this Saturday! |url=http://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=8d3e2a09-a6d9-4e5b-b3a8-09a43b9cf2c6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/2016-04-25%2019:06:05.000/wp/details/http://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=8d3e2a09-a6d9-4e5b-b3a8-09a43b9cf2c6 |archive-date=25 April 2016 |website=LTA}}{{Cite web |date=7 December 2013 |title=Downtown Line 1 Open House |url=http://www.mot.gov.sg/news-centre/highlights/detail/downtown-line-1-open-house |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301103704/https://www.mot.gov.sg/news-centre/highlights/detail/downtown-line-1-open-house |archive-date=1 March 2021 |access-date=7 February 2021 |website=www.mot.gov.sg}} Bugis DTL station commenced operations on 22 December 2013 along with the DTL Stage 1 stations.{{Cite web |date=21 December 2013 |title=Downtown Line Stage 1 officially opened by PM Lee |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/downtown-line-stage-1-officially-opened-pm-lee |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301103703/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/downtown-line-stage-1-officially-opened-pm-lee |archive-date=1 March 2021 |access-date=7 February 2021 |website=TODAYonline}}

Bugis station is an interchange station on the EWL and DTL. On the EWL, the station is between the {{MRT station|Lavender}} and {{MRT station|City Hall}} stations, while the station is between the {{MRT station|Rochor}} and {{MRT station|Promenade}} stations on the DTL. The official station code is EW12/DT14.{{Cite web |title=MRT System Map |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/pdf/sm-20-03-en-exp.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821064838/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/pdf/sm-20-03-en-exp.pdf |archive-date=21 August 2020 |website=LTA}} When it opened, it had the station code of E1{{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 the current alphanumeric style 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}} Located beneath the junction of Victoria Street and Rochor Road,{{cite web |url=http://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/bugis/map/ |title=Bugis – Map |author= |website=SMRT Journeys |publisher=SMRT Corporation |access-date=11 December 2021 }} the station is close to Fu Lu Shou Complex, Raffles Hospital, the National Library, Bugis+ and Bugis Junction.{{cite web |url=http://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/bugis/exits/ |title=Bugis – Exits |author= |website=SMRT Journeys |publisher=SMRT Corporation |access-date=11 December 2021 }} The station also serves the ethnic enclave of Kampung Glam and its landmarks such as Sultan Mosque, Arab Street and Haji Lane.{{cite web | title=Train Service Information | website=SBSTransit | url=https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/Service/TrainInformation?TrainLine=DTL&Station=BGS | access-date=29 July 2023}} Bugis station is within walking distance of the {{MRT station|Jalan Besar}} station on the DTL and {{MRT station|Bras Basah}} station on the Circle line.{{cite web |title=EW12/DT14–DT22 Walk-2-Transfer |url=https://file.go.gov.sg/w2t-bgs-jlb.png |publisher=Land Transport Authority |access-date=30 July 2023}}{{cite web |title=CC2–EW12/DT14 Walk-2-Transfer |url=https://file.go.gov.sg/w2t-bbs-bgs.png |publisher=Land Transport Authority |access-date=30 July 2023}}

Bugis is one of the first nine underground MRT stations designated as a Civil Defence (CD) shelter.{{cite book |title=Information portfolio |publisher=Mass Rapid Transit Corporation |publication-place=Singapore|year=1984|page=B10}} Built to function as an air-raid shelter during emergencies, the EWL station was fitted with steel blast doors that could seal off the station concourse and platforms.{{cite news |author= |date=18 April 1988 |title=Bugis MRT station gets blast-proof doors |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19880418-1.2.56 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=4 December 2021 |page=32 }} The DTL station has a depth of {{convert|26|m|ft|abbr=on}}{{Cite web |date=21 December 2013 |title=News Room – News Releases – Downtown Line |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2013/12/2/downtown-line.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131070042/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2013/12/2/downtown-line.html |archive-date=31 January 2021 |access-date=8 February 2021 |publisher=Land Transport Authority}} and features a diamond motif reflective of Bugis culture.{{cite news |last=Cheong |first=Mark |date=18 January 2014 |title=Downtown Line's upscale look |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |page=D18{{endash}}D19 }}{{Cite web |title=Downtown Line 1: Art-In-Transit |url=http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/PublicTransport/files/Downtown%20Line%201%20-%20AIT.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023041931/http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/PublicTransport/files/Downtown%20Line%201%20-%20AIT.pdf |archive-date=23 October 2013 |publisher=Land Transport Authority |access-date=16 October 2013}}

The station is 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 |access-date=11 September 2021 |publisher=Land Transport Authority |archive-date=11 September 2021 |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 |url-status=live}} guides visually impaired commuters through the station, with dedicated routes that connect the station entrances to the platforms or between the lines. Wider fare gates allow easier access for wheelchair users into the station.{{sfn |Feng |2017 |p=100}}

File:DT14 Bugis MRT concourse 20210904 130104.jpg

Ephemeral by Patrick Chia is featured at this station as part of the Art-in-Transit programme, a showcase of public artworks on the MRT network.{{cite web |title=Art in Transit |website=LTA |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=5 January 2023 |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}} Displayed along the travellator on the linkway between the DTL and EWL platforms,{{sfn | Zhuang | Soh | 2022 | p=78}} the interactive work consists of coloured discs hidden behind glass panels and could only be viewed from specific angles before fading away.{{sfn | Zhuang | Soh | 2022 | p=78}} The artist hoped to engage commuters and the station architecture through this work,{{sfn | Zhuang | Soh | 2022 | p=83}}{{cite web |title=Brief Arty Encounter| url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/public_transport/a_better_public_transport_experience/art_in_transit/pdf/DTL%20AIT%20QR%20DT14%20BGS.pdf |publisher=Land Transport Authority |access-date=28 July 2023}} instead of producing a work that only reflects the area's history and landmarks.{{sfn | Zhuang | Soh | 2022 | p=78}} Ephemeral was also intended to create "a concept that exploits the constraints and opportunities afforded by the architecture space" and that it was "not meant to be obvious but to engage each commuter at his or her own moment".{{cite web | last=Ting | first=Lisabel | title=View works on the fast track | website=The Straits Times | publisher=Singapore Press Holdings | date=6 December 2013 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/view-works-on-the-fast-track | access-date=31 January 2021 | archive-date=6 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206131857/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/view-works-on-the-fast-track | url-status=live }}

While simple in concept, crafting the work was difficult. Chia crafted many prototypes of the discs and experimented with the sizes, lighting and placement to achieve the "powdery effect" on frosted glass. Engineers were also consulted to take into account the travellator's speed to determine the suitable spacings of the discs. Other challenges included the greenish tint of the panels that subdued the colour of the discs and the distinctive black outline that disrupted Chia's intention of a "seamless viewing experience". Nevertheless, Chia tweaked the work accordingly to accomplish the desired effect as closely as possible.{{sfn | Zhuang | Soh | 2022 | p=83}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last=Feng |first=Zengkun |title=Downtown Line: Soaring to new heights |publisher=Straits Times Press Pte Ltd |year=2017 |isbn=978-981-4747-66-0 |publication-place=Singapore |oclc=1003852882 |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/who_we_are/statistics_and_publications/books/pdf/The_Downtown_Line_book.pdf}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Sim |first1=Alistair |date=2013 |title=The new Bugis Station and associated tunnels for the Singapore MRT |url=https://www.cfms-sols.org/sites/default/files/Actes/183-188.pdf |journal=Travaux |issue=900 |doi= |access-date=11 December 2021 |issn=0041-1906 }}
• {{cite book | last1=Zhuang | first1=Justin | last2=Soh | first2=Darren | publisher= Land Transport Authority | title=Art in transit: Downtown Line Singapore | publication-place=Singapore | date=2022 | isbn=978-981-18-3967-2 | oclc=1342054525}}

• {{commons category-inline|Bugis MRT Station}}
• [http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/nel/trpt_dtl_systemdetail.asp?statcode=DT14&statname=Bugis SBS Transit's Bugis MRT station official website]
• {{Official website|http://www.smrt.com.sg/Trains/NetworkMap/Bugis.aspx|name=SMRT's Bugis MRT station official website}}
• [http://www.mynetbizz.com/MRT/To-Changi-Airport-MRT-Station/Bugis-To-Changi-Airport-MRT-Station.cfm Bugis to Changi Airport MRT station route guide]

{{Singapore MRT stations|east-west=yes|downtown=yes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bugis MRT station}}

Category:Railway stations in Singapore opened in 1989

Category:Downtown Core (Singapore)

Category:Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) stations