Tanjong Katong MRT station
{{short description|Mass Rapid Transit station in Singapore}}
{{good article}}
{{confused|Tanjong Pagar MRT station|Tanjong Rhu MRT station}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox Station
| background =
| name = {{SMRT Infobox Colour
| enname = Tanjong Katong
| zhname = 丹戎加东
| taname = தஞ்சோங் காத்தோங்
| msname = Tanjong Katong
| line = thomson-east coast
| line2 =
| line3 =
| code = {{SMRT code|TE|25}}
| terminicode =
}}
| type = Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station
| image = File:(SGP-Singapore) Tanjong Katong MRT Station Exit 3 2024-08-06 - 1.jpg
| image_caption = Exit 3 of the station
| address = 2 Amber Road
Singapore 439846
| coordinates = {{Coord|1.2992|103.89769|type:railwaystation_region:SG|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| line = {{rail color box|system=SMRT|line=Thomson-East Coast}}
| other =
| structure = Underground
| platform = 2 (2 stacked platforms)
| depth =
| levels = 2
| tracks = 2
| parking =
| bicycle = Yes
| baggage_check =
| passengers =
| pass_year =
| pass_percent =
| pass_system =
| opened = {{start date and age|df=yes|2024|06|23}}
| closed =
| rebuilt =
| electrified =
| accessible = Yes
| operator = SMRT Trains (SMRT Corporation)
| owned = Land Transport Authority
| zone =
| former = Amber
| services = {{Adjacent stations |system=SMRT |line=Thomson-East Coast |left=Katong Park |right=Marine Parade}}
| mpassengers =
| map_type = Singapore Rail
| map_caption = Tanjong Katong station in Singapore
| map_dot_label = Tanjong Katong
| map_alt = Singapore MRT/LRT system map
| map_size = 300px
}}
Tanjong Katong MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL) in Singapore. Located underneath Amber Road at the intersection with Tanjong Katong Road South and Meyer Road, the station serves nearby condominiums such as Aalto and King's Mansion. The station is operated by SMRT Trains.
First announced in August 2014 as Amber MRT station, the station was renamed following a public poll in July 2016. Six houses and an apartment were acquired for the station's construction, despite opposition from the owners over compensation disputes. Tanjong Katong station commenced operations on 23 June 2024 along with the other stations of TEL Phase 4.
Built with a stacked platform configuration, the station features circular skylights and a leaf-shaped ceiling over the concourse. The station features two public artworks, The Waters Are Blue, Yet I Pine For You by Sim Chi Yin as part of the Art in Transit (AIT) Programme and Riding the Waves of Change by students of Tanjong Katong Girls' School (TKGS).
History
File:TE25 Tanjong Katong Under Construction.jpg
In August 2014, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that Amber station would be part of the proposed Thomson–East Coast line (TEL), with the station to be constructed as part of the TEL's eastern stretch, consisting of 9 stations between Tanjong Rhu and Sungei Bedok.{{Cite news |last=Xue |first=Jianyu |date=16 August 2014 |title=Single MRT line to link East Coast to Woodlands |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/single-mrt-line-link-east-coast-woodlands |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817214602/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/single-mrt-line-link-east-coast-woodlands |archive-date=17 August 2014 |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=Today}} For the entire month of October 2015, there was a public poll for the names of stations in the eastern portion of the TEL, including Amber, where its alternative proposed name was "Tanjong Katong".{{Cite news |last=Kok |first=Xing Hui |date=1 October 2015 |title=MRT station names for Thomson-East Coast Line, Downtown Line 3 Extension up for polling |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/mrt-station-names-for-thomson-east-coast-line-downtown-line-3-extension-up-for |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503010749/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/mrt-station-names-for-thomson-east-coast-line-downtown-line-3-extension-up-for |archive-date=3 May 2025 |access-date=20 May 2025 |work=The Straits Times}}{{Cite web |last=Kok |first=Xing Hui |date=20 January 2016 |title=Names of 10 new MRT stations up for voting |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/names-of-10-new-mrt-stations-up-for-voting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730030918/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/names-of-10-new-mrt-stations-up-for-voting |archive-date=30 July 2024 |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=The Straits Times}} Following the poll, it was announced in July 2016 that the station name will be Tanjong Katong.{{Cite news |date=21 July 2016 |title=Names of MRT stations on Thomson-East Coast Line (East Coast stretch) announced |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/names-mrt-stations-thomson-east-coast-line-east-coast-stretch-announced |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004135719/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/names-mrt-stations-thomson-east-coast-line-east-coast-stretch-announced |archive-date=4 October 2023 |access-date=20 May 2025 |work=Today}}
The contract for the design and construction of Tanjong Katong station was awarded to Woh Hup (Private) Limited for S$146 million in April 2016. Construction was scheduled to commence in that year with a targeted completion date of 2023.{{Cite web |date=28 April 2016 |title=LTA Awards Two Contracts for Thomson-East Coast Line's Amber and Bedok South Stations |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2016/4/2/lta-awards-two-contracts-for-thomson-east-coast-lines-amber-and-bedok-south-stations.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213065615/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2016/4/2/lta-awards-two-contracts-for-thomson-east-coast-lines-amber-and-bedok-south-stations.html |archive-date=13 February 2020 |access-date=13 February 2020 |website= |publisher=Land Transport Authority}}{{cite web |last=Abdullah |first=Zhaki |date=28 April 2016 |title=LTA awards contracts for Amber and Bedok South stations on Thomson-East Coast line |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/lta-awards-contracts-for-amber-and-bedok-south-stations-on-thomson-east-coast |access-date=8 January 2021 |website=The Straits Times}}
{{External media|title=External Image|image1=[https://www.wohhup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TE25-Artist-Impressions-2-1280x832.jpg Artist's impression of Tanjong Katong MRT station] Source: Woh Hup Pte Ltd|float=left}}
Six semi-detached houses along Amber Road and a three-storey apartment block along Tanjong Katong Road were acquired to build the station by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). The acquisition was opposed by the affected residents as they felt the 18-month period for relocation was "too tight" and the compensation sum too low.{{cite web |last=Ng |first=Kelly |date=15 August 2014 |title=Over 24,000sqm of land to be acquired for Thomson-East Coast Line |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/over-24000sqm-land-be-acquired-thomson-east-coast-line |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=Today |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417171519/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/over-24000sqm-land-be-acquired-thomson-east-coast-line |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Tan |first=Christopher |date=January 19, 2016 |title=$45m for 15 homes affected by Thomson-East Coast MRT line |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/45m-for-15-homes-affected-by-thomson-east-coast-mrt-line |access-date=2 August 2024 |website=The Straits Times |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802152113/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/45m-for-15-homes-affected-by-thomson-east-coast-mrt-line |url-status=live }} In April 2016, two residents still stayed at the apartment block while the owners sought more compensation through the Appeals Board (Land Acquisition). The owner of Sin Aik Provision shop at the ground floor claimed he needed more time to move out the goods and find a new shop space. However, the SLA rejected the request as it would delay the TEL construction beyond 2023, and gave the owners until 31 May to move out or face eviction.{{Cite web |last=Cheong |first=Danson |date=April 30, 2016 |title=Tanjong Katong residents resist SLA deadline to move out to make way for Amber MRT station |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/tanjong-katong-residents-resist-sla-deadline-to-move-out-to-make-way-for-amber |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502114841/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/tanjong-katong-residents-resist-sla-deadline-to-move-out-to-make-way-for-amber |archive-date=May 2, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=The Straits Times}}{{cite web |last=Philomin |first=Laura Elizabeth |date=30 April 2016 |title=Higher payouts being sought over TEL land acquisition |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/higher-payouts-being-sought-over-tel-land-acquisition |access-date=5 August 2024 |website=Today}} Construction started by July 2016.{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Adrian |date=21 July 2016 |title=Thomson-East Coast Line could be extended to connect to Changi Airport |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/thomson-east-coast-line-could-be-extended-to-connect-to-changi-airport |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250323035002/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/thomson-east-coast-line-could-be-extended-to-connect-to-changi-airport |archive-date=23 March 2025 |access-date=20 May 2025 |work=The Straits Times}}
By January 2019, Tanjong Katong along with other stations in the Tanjong Rhu-Bayshore stretch were designated to be 'Stage 4' of the TEL.{{Cite news |last=Low |first=Youjin |date=7 January 2019 |title=New MRT station along Thomson-East Coast line, will open in tandem with Founders’ Memorial |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/new-mrt-station-along-thomson-east-coast-line-will-open-tandem-founders-memorial |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608163511/https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/new-mrt-station-along-thomson-east-coast-line-will-open-tandem-founders-memorial |archive-date=8 June 2019 |access-date=9 June 2025 |work=TODAY}} Initially expected to open in 2023, it was pushed to 2024 along other TEL Stage 4 stations due to delays from the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |last=Kok |first=Yufeng |date=7 February 2024 |title=TEL Stage 4 stations handed over to SMRT for final tests |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/tel-stage-4-stations-handed-over-to-smrt-for-final-tests |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305135039/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/tel-stage-4-stations-handed-over-to-smrt-for-final-tests |archive-date=5 March 2024 |access-date=20 May 2025 |work=The Straits Times}} In October 2022, it was announced that Stage 4 of the TEL was expected to open in 2024.{{Cite news |last=Yeoh |first=Grace |date=7 October 2022 |title=11 Thomson-East Coast Line stations to open on Nov 13; free rides available on Nov 11 |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/thomson-east-coast-line-open-november-mrt-free-rides-11-stations-2994101 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007071058/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/thomson-east-coast-line-open-november-mrt-free-rides-11-stations-2994101 |archive-date=7 October 2022 |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=CNA}} In February 2024, the LTA handed over the TEL Stage 4 stations to SMRT Trains for testing final testings. A month later, the LTA announced that the station would open on 23 June,{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Nian Tjoe |date=5 March 2024 |title=TEL Stage 4 from Tanjong Rhu to Bayshore to open for passenger service on June 23 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/tel-stage-4-from-tanjong-rhu-to-bayshore-to-open-for-passenger-service-on-june-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305091507/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/tel-stage-4-from-tanjong-rhu-to-bayshore-to-open-for-passenger-service-on-june-23 |archive-date=5 March 2024 |access-date=5 March 2024 |website=The Straits Times}} with an open house event held between 10:00 am and 9:00 pm on 21 June to allow commuters to familiarise themselves with the new stations.{{Cite news |date=22 June 2024 |title='When we say we’ll do something, we make sure we deliver it': PM Wong at opening of TEL Stage 4 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/pm-wong-opens-tel-stage-4-from-tanjong-rhu-to-bayshore-ahead-of-public-preview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701052724/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/pm-wong-opens-tel-stage-4-from-tanjong-rhu-to-bayshore-ahead-of-public-preview |archive-date=1 July 2024 |access-date=9 June 2025 |website=The Straits Times}} Tanjong Katong station opened on 23 June 2025.{{Cite news |last=Li Ying |first=Lee |date=23 June 2024 |title=Seven MRT stations on TEL open for passenger service |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/seven-mrt-stations-on-tel-4-open-for-passenger-service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623090505/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/seven-mrt-stations-on-tel-4-open-for-passenger-service |archive-date=23 June 2024 |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=The Straits Times}}
Details
File:TE25 Tanjong Katong MRT Platform A 20240627 134533.jpg
Tanjong Katong station serves the TEL and is between the Katong Park and Marine Parade stations, with an official station code of TE25.{{cite web |title=System Map |url=https://www.transitlink.com.sg/eservice/eguide/mrt_sys_map.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621093444/https://www.transitlink.com.sg/eservice/eguide/mrt_sys_map.htm |archive-date=21 June 2024 |access-date=21 June 2024 |website=Transitlink}}{{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}} As part of the TEL, 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 |website= |publisher=Land Transport Authority}} Located underneath Amber Road near the junction of Tanjong Katong Road South and Meyer Road,{{Cite web |title=Contract T306 Tanjong Katong Station |url=https://www.wohhup.com/project/contract-t306-tanjong-katong-station/ |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=Woh Hup (Private Limited)}}{{Cite web |title=Tanjong Katong – Exits |url=http://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/tanjong-katong/exits/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240621090613/http://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/tanjong-katong/exits/ |archive-date=21 June 2024 |access-date=2 August 2024 |website=SMRT Journeys}} the station has three entrances serving nearby private residential properties including the Aalto, Amber Skye, King's Mansion, and One Amber.{{Cite web |title=Tanjong Katong – Map |url=https://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/tanjong-katong/map/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240621090609/http://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/tanjong-katong/map/ |archive-date=21 June 2024 |access-date=6 October 2024 |website=SMRT Journeys}}
Due to land constraints, the station has a stacked platform configuration.{{Cite web |last=Ong |first=Justin Guang-Xi |date=22 May 2024 |title=Tunnelling through crowded areas, how engineers navigated constraints to build 7 new Thomson-East Coast Line stations |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/thomson-east-coast-line-tel4-construction-challenges-tunnel-lta-4351691 |access-date=2 August 2024 |website=CNA |at=Platform Configuration |archive-date=1 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701123239/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/thomson-east-coast-line-tel4-construction-challenges-tunnel-lta-4351691 |url-status=live }} The station box has a depth of {{Convert|25|m}}.{{Cite sign |title=TE25 Tanjong Katong |year=2021 |type=Infographic poster at TEL Project Information Centre |publisher=Land Transport Authority |location=Singapore |date=}} Circular skylights over the escalators allow natural illumination of the station in daytime.{{Cite web |last=William |first=Whitney |date=20 June 2024 |title=6 things you can do at the public preview of TEL Stage 4 MRT stations on June 21 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/6-things-you-can-do-at-the-public-preview-of-tel-stage-4-on-june-21 |access-date=2 August 2024 |website=The Straits Times |archive-date=26 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626165103/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/6-things-you-can-do-at-the-public-preview-of-tel-stage-4-on-june-21 |url-status=live }} Two of the station entrances have green roofs with solar panels.{{Cite web |title=Thomson – East Coast Line 4: Enjoy the East Side Vibe |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/upcoming_projects/thomson_east_coast_line/pdf/Thomson_East_Coast_Line_4_Brochure.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623121742/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/upcoming_projects/thomson_east_coast_line/pdf/Thomson_East_Coast_Line_4_Brochure.pdf |archive-date=23 June 2024 |access-date=24 June 2024 |publisher=Land Transport Authority |page=11}} The leaf-shaped ceiling of the ticketing concourse is inspired by the history of Tanjong Katong.{{Cite web |title=Thomson-East Coast Line |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/thomson_east_coast_line.html |access-date=29 July 2024 |website=Land Transport Authority |archive-date=21 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421102954/https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network/thomson_east_coast_line.html |url-status=live }} Like the other TEL4 stations, hybrid cooling fans at the platforms complement the station's air-conditioning to improve air circulation while lowering energy consumption.{{cite web |last=Loi |first=Esther |date=3 May 2024 |title=Hybrid cooling fans, underground bike parking areas among new features at TEL Stage 4 stations |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/hybrid-cooling-fans-underground-bike-parking-stations-among-new-features-at-tel-stage-4-stations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622132023/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/hybrid-cooling-fans-underground-bike-parking-stations-among-new-features-at-tel-stage-4-stations |archive-date=22 June 2024 |access-date=23 June 2024 |website=The Straits Times}}
The Waters Are Blue, yet I Pine for You by Sim Chi Yin is displayed 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 |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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623061047/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 |archive-date=23 June 2024 |access-date=23 June 2024 |publisher=Land Transport Authority}} The artwork, which the title was derived from the first stanza of local folk song Di Tanjung Katong, is a {{Convert|11.3|m|ft|abbr=on|adj=on}} collage on a three-storey wall near the escalators connecting the station's main concourse to the upper and lower platforms. To portray Tanjong Katong's past and memories, the work combines archival photographs with Sim's images of the present, superimposed over a photo of the former Big Splash water park. Other images depict the local swimming clubs in the area, Kampong Amber and the endangered Katong turtles. Sim had expressed interest in the area's "hidden histories" and used visual motifs to highlight gaps in the archives and official histories, which was a recurring theme in her work.{{Cite web |last=Soh |first=Therese |date=4 May 2024 |title='Time After Time': A first look at new Art in Transit installations at TEL Stage 4 stations |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/time-after-time-a-first-look-at-new-art-in-transit-installations-at-tel-stage-4-stations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522122713/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/time-after-time-a-first-look-at-new-art-in-transit-installations-at-tel-stage-4-stations |archive-date=22 May 2024 |access-date=29 July 2024 |website=The Straits Times}}
Another mural, Riding the Waves of Change by Tanjong Katong Girls School students, depicts the development of Katong from a Peranakan enclave to present urbanised neighbourhood. According to the students, the recurring motifs of the Katong turtle symbolises Katong's history and its "commitment to sustainability" as Katong "rides the waves of change".{{Cite web |date=24 June 2024 |title=Riding the Waves of Change |url=https://www.tkgs.moe.edu.sg/riding-the-waves-of-change/ |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=Tanjong Katong Girls School |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731061108/https://www.tkgs.moe.edu.sg/riding-the-waves-of-change/ |url-status=live }} As a part of a collaboration between the National Arts Council and the LTA for Singapore Art Week 2025, Tanjong Katong station had the mural National Antiquities Parade by The Temporal Displacement Agency and the Mountbatten Community Arts and Culture Club.{{Cite web |date=17 January 2025 |title=National Arts Council and Land Transport Authority Partner to Unveil ‘A Living Museum For Bukit Gombak’ at The Under Viaduct Space, Celebrating SG60 With Art at Unconventional Spaces During Singapore Art Week 2025 |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/newsroom/2025/1/news-releases/Ltaxnac_viaduct_under_spaces_launch.html |access-date=25 January 2025 |website=LTA}}{{Cite web |title=SAW x LTA Art in Transit |url=https://www.artweek.sg/programmes/saw-x-lta-art-in-transit |access-date=25 January 2025 |website=Singapore Art Week}} The mural portrays the Mountbatten Community playing with clay soldiers and reenacting the last National Day Parade held at the former Kallang Stadium.{{Cite web |date=25 January 2025 |title=ANNEX B |url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/news/press/2025/250117-AnnexB-LTAxNAC-Viaduct-Under-Spaces-Launch.pdf |access-date=25 January 2025 |website=LTA}}
References
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External links
{{commonscat-inline|Tanjong Katong MRT Station}}
{{Singapore MRT stations|thomson=yes}}
Category:Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) stations