Commonwealth MRT station
{{Short description|Mass Rapid Transit station in Singapore}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox station
| background =
| name = {{SMRT Infobox Colour
| enname = Commonwealth
| msname = Commonwealth
| line = East West
| line2 =
| line3 =
| code = {{SMRT code|EW|20}}
| terminicode =
}}
| type = Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station
| image = EW20 Commonwealth station Exit 20200805 202645.jpg
| image_caption = An entrance to the station with the exterior view in the background.
| address = 375 Commonwealth Avenue
Singapore 149735
| coordinates = {{Coord|1|18|9.21|N|103|47|53.61|E|type:railwaystation_region:SG|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| line = {{rail color box|system=SMRT|line=East West}}
| other = Bus, Taxi
| structure = Elevated
| platform = 2 (1 island platform)
| depth =
| levels = 1
| tracks = 2
| parking = Yes (external)
| bicycle =
| passengers = 11,905 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|1988|03|12}}
| closed =
| rebuilt =
| electrified = Yes
| accessible = Yes
| owned =
| operator = SMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT Corporation)
| zone =
| former = Queenstown
| services = {{Adjacent stations |system=SMRT |line=East West |left=Queenstown |right=Buona Vista }}
| mpassengers =
| map_type = Singapore Rail central area
| map_caption = Commonwealth station in Singapore
| map_dot_label = Commonwealth
| map_alt = Singapore MRT/LRT system map
| map_size = 300px
| map_label_position = left
}}
Commonwealth MRT station is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the East West line in Queenstown, Singapore. Operated by SMRT, the station serves nearby landmarks such as the Delta Swimming Complex and Thye Hong Centre.
First announced in May 1982 as Queenstown, it swapped names with Commonwealth in March 1987. The station commenced operations along with the entire MRT system on 12 March 1988 by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Half-height platform screen doors and high-volume low-speed fans were installed by August 2011 and the first quarter of 2013, respectively.
Like other elevated stations on the Tiong Bahru–Clementi stretch, the station feature grilles and horizontal louvres. Despite its name, Redhill features a pink colour scheme. Its roof also has clerestory windows.
History
Commonwealth station was first included in the early plans of the MRT system 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}}{{cbignore}} Initially meant to be part of Phase II of the system, it was later announced in June 1983 to be part of Phase IA, an extension of Phase I from Tiong Bahru to Clementi stations, of the MRT as Queenstown.{{Cite news |date=10 June 1983 |title=Now first phase takes a step up |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19830610-1.2.2?qt=redhill,%20mrt,%20station&q=%22redhill%22%20%22mrt%22%20%22station%22 |access-date=14 September 2024 |work=The Straits Times |pages=1 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news |last=Wee |first=Agnes |date=10 June 1983 |title=Phase I of MRT modified to cover a wider area |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19830610-1.2.3?qt=%22red%20hill%22,%20station,%20mrt&q=%22red%20hill%22%20%22station%22%20%22mrt%22 |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=The Business Times |pages=1 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{Cbignore}}{{Cite news |date=10 June 1983 |title=More people can use MRT sooner |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19830610-1.2.51?qt=%22yio%20chu%20kang%22,%20phase,%20%22mass%20rapid%20transit%22&q=%22yio%20chu%20kang%22%20%22phase%22%20%22mass%20rapid%20transit%22 |access-date=15 June 2025 |work=The Straits Times |pages=15 |via=NewspaperSG}}
By October 1983, eleven local companies, nine of which were joint ventures with foreign businesses, were chosen in the pre-qualification stage for the design work of the Tiong Bahru-Clementi Stretch out of 38 applications.{{Cite news |last=Sin Giok |first=Oei |date=29 October 1983 |title=11 local builders qualify for first phase of MRT |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/singmonitor19831029-1.2.6.2?qt=redhill,%20mrt,%20station&q=%22redhill%22%20%22mrt%22%20%22station%22 |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=Singapore Monitor |pages=2 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{Cbignore}} In January 1984, it was announced that a five member team consisting of Mott, Hay and Anderson, Sir William Halcrow and Partners, BSK-BS Konsult, DP Architects, and the Public Works Department (PWD), won a {{SGDConvert|5.99|m}} contract for architectural and engineering consultancy as well as the design of said stretch.{{Cite news |date=12 January 1984 |title=Five-member team wins $5.99m MRT contract |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19840112-1.2.3?qt=redhill,%20mrt,%20station&q=%22redhill%22%20%22mrt%22%20%22station%22 |access-date=9 June 2025 |work=The Business Times |pages=1 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{Cbignore}}{{External media|title=External Media|image1=[https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19830610-1.2.51?qt=queenstown,%20%22mass%20rapid%20transit%22,%20station&q=%22queenstown%22%20%22mass%20rapid%20transit%22%20%22station%22 Site of Commonwealth's location] By The Straits Times|float=left}}
Ten single tenderers and joint ventures were prequalified for Contract 203 by October 1984, which detailed the construction of Queenstown and Buona Vista stations as well as viaducts from Queensway Circus to Clementi Road,{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Soon Neo |date=3 October 1984 |title=MRTC pre-qualifies 37 companies |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19841003-1.2.10.10?qt=redhill,%20mrt,%20station&q=%22redhill%22%20%22mrt%22%20%22station%22 |access-date=9 June 2025 |work=The Business Times |pages=2 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{Cbignore}} with the MRTC awarding the contract to Kah Ngam Construction and Aoki Corporation in January 1985 for {{SGDConvert|70.27|m|year=1985|showdate=no}}.{{cite news |author= |date= |title=Lim Kah Ngam and Aoki win MRT contract |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19850105-1.2.35 |access-date=5 October 2017 |work=Business Times |location=Singapore |via=NewspaperSG}} In March 1987, it was announced that Queenstown and Commonwealth stations will swap names as Commonwealth station is closer to areas with the name "Queenstown" and vice versa.{{Cite news |title=Name change for five MRT stations |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19870327-1.2.13.4?qt=queenstown,%20%22mass%20rapid%20transit%22,%20station&q=%22queenstown%22%20%22mass%20rapid%20transit%22%20%22station%22}}{{Cite news |title=Five MRT stations renamed to better reflect the locality |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19870327-1.2.24.12?qt=queenstown,%20%22mass%20rapid%20transit%22,%20station&q=%22queenstown%22%20%22mass%20rapid%20transit%22%20%22station%22}} In February 1988, it was announced that Commonwealth, along with Queenstown station, will have an open house on 20 and 21 February, with expected operations to start by the middle of March.{{Cite news |date=5 February 1988 |title=Open house at six MRT stations |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19880205-1.2.11.9?qt=redhill,%20mrt,%20station&q=%22redhill%22%20%22mrt%22%20%22station%22 |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=The Business Times |pages=2 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{Cbignore}}{{Cite news |date=6 February 1988 |title=Six East-West line MRT stations to hold open days |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19880206-1.2.24.33?qt=redhill,%20mrt,%20station&q=%22redhill%22%20%22mrt%22%20%22station%22 |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=The Straits Times |pages=25 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{Cbignore}} On 12 March 1988, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew officially launched the entire system, including stations in the Tiong Bahru-Clementi stretch.{{Cite news |last=Dhaliwal |first=Rav |date=13 March 1988 |title=Well done, says PM |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19880313-1.2.2?qt=redhill,%20mrt,%20station&q=%22redhill%22%20%22mrt%22%20%22station%22 |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=The Straits Times |pages=1 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{Cbignore}}
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, half-height platform screen doors were eventually installed and commenced operations at Queenstown station by August 2011.{{Cite web |date=31 August 2011 |title=Completion of Half Height Platform Screen Doors on East West Line |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=9y6t63252ecdq43t2gwza070tsqkm1zf372ydxjgnd9sa4xiz8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726103905/https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=9y6t63252ecdq43t2gwza070tsqkm1zf372ydxjgnd9sa4xiz8 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |access-date=4 October 2024 |website=LTA |type=Press release}} The station was installed with high-volume low-speed fans by the first quarter of 2013.{{Cite web |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 |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=14 September 2024 |website=LTA}} A new overhead bridge and two new exits were constructed starting mid-2012 and opened on 23 August 2015, the same day as Queenstown MRT station.{{cite news | title = Enhancing Connectivity and Comfort for Commuters | publisher = LTA | date = 13 October 2011 | url = http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=764a0kf76om2osu186igm3tbeku96px4ysg006n6qv5hoiq8ep | access-date = 13 October 2011 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120710005210/http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=764a0kf76om2osu186igm3tbeku96px4ysg006n6qv5hoiq8ep | archive-date = 10 July 2012 | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | title = New bridges for Commonwealth and Queenstown MRT stations | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 23 August 2015 | url = https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/new-bridges-for-commonwealth-and-queenstown-mrt-stations | access-date = 23 August 2015 }}
Details
Commonwealth station is on the EWL with the station number of EW20, situated between Queenstown and Buona Vista stations.{{Cite web |title=System Map |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/pdf/SM_TEL4_Eng.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625100255/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/pdf/SM_TEL4_Eng.pdf |archive-date=25 June 2024 |access-date=23 June 2024 |website= |publisher=Land Transport Authority}} When it opened, it had the station number of W6 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 |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}}{{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}} As a part of the EWL, the station is operated by SMRT Trains.{{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}} Like many stations on the initial MRT network, Commonwealth has an island platform and is elevated.{{Cite news |title=Open house at six MRT stations |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19880205-1.2.11.9?qt=redhill,%20mrt,%20station&q=%22redhill%22%20%22mrt%22%20%22station%22}}{{cite news |last1=Dhaliwal |first1=Rav |date=28 April 1987 |title=Getting to know the network and how it will work |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19870428-1.2.33.5 |access-date=19 December 2020 |website=The Straits Times |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |page=19 |via=NewspaperSG}}{{cbignore}} The station operates between 5:45{{spaces}}am to 12:12{{spaces}}am daily, with train frequencies varying from 2 to 5 minutes.{{Cite web |title=Simei – First & Last Train |url=https://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/simei/first-and-last-train/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201015807/https://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/simei/first-and-last-train/ |archive-date=1 February 2025 |access-date=19 November 2024 |website=SMRT}}File:EW20 Commonwealth MRT platforms 20200805 202551.jpgThe station is on Commonwealth Avenue. It has two exits and serves surrounding landmarks such as Queenstown Primary School, the New Optometry and Ocular Care Centre (NOOCC), Queenstown Stadium, Princess House, and Rainbow Centre Margaret Drive Special School. It also serve several nearby churches such as The True Way Presbyterian Church, Church of the Good Shepherd, Queenstown Baptist Church, and Hephzibah Christian Fellowship.{{Cite web |date=9 October 2024 |title=Redhill – Exits |url=https://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/redhill/exits/ |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=9 October 2024 |website=SMRT Journeys}}{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Redhill – Map |url=https://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/redhill/map/ |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=SMRT Journeys}} Commonwealth is mostly wheelchair-accessible (except for Exit B) and has bicycle facilities.{{Cite web |title=Redhill – Amenities |url=https://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/redhill/amenities/ |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=7 February 2025 |website=SMRT}}
Like other stations in the Tiong Bahru-Clementi stretch of Phase 1, it features what The Straits Times has described as "brashly coloured grilles which run right round the station, interrupted only by the regularly spaced columns".{{Cite news |title=Lessons in architecture, MRT-style |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/page/straitstimes19880210-1.1.35}} The station has blue walls, which was done to make the station "be pleasant to the eye" and to distinguish it from other stations in the stretch.{{Cite news |title=Overhead MRT stations easy on the eye |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19850805-1.2.25.25?qt=redhill,%20station,%20mrt&q=%22redhill%22%20%22station%22%20%22mrt%22}}
{{Clear}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Commonwealth MRT Station}}
- {{Official website|http://www.smrt.com.sg/Trains/NetworkMap/Commonwealth.aspx}}
{{Singapore MRT stations|east-west=yes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Commonwealth MRT station}}
Category:Railway stations in Singapore opened in 1988