Branch MRT line

The Branch MRT line was originally the third Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore, initially operated as a branch to the existing East West line. The line was 6.5 km long with 4 stations, and was operated by the SMRT Corporation. Travelling from one end of this line to the other end took about ten minutes, and this line was coloured brown and khaki on the rail map. The line is now part of the North South line, making it the first and only defunct line in Singapore.[1]

Branch line (Singapore MRT) Laluan MRT Cawangan
The Branch line was indicated in the old system map (used between 1987 and 1996) in brown and khaki.
Overview
Owner	Mass Rapid Transit Corporation
Termini	Jurong East Choa Chu Kang
Stations	4
Service
Type	Rapid transit
System	Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)
Services	1
Operator(s)	Singapore MRT Limited
Rolling stock	C151, C651
History
Opened	10 March 1990
Closed	10 February 1996 (merged with the North South line)
Technical
Line length	6.5 km (4.0 mi)
Character	Fully Elevated
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	750V DC Third rail
Operating speed	80km/h
Route map  Pasir Ris Contact line Jurong East ■ Boon Lay  Pan Island Expressway Bukit Batok Bukit Gombak Bukit Batok Rd Choa Chu Kang Ave 1 Choa Chu Kang

The line used to terminate at the middle track at Jurong East (then platforms C/D, now D/E). Trains operated at a 6 minute frequency.

History

The line was conceptualized as the Western line during the early planning stages of the Singapore MRT Network.[2]

On 7 January 1986, the Taiwanese RSEA International and Hock Lian Seng Joint Venture had awarded the contract for the Branch MRT line stations – Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak, and Choa Chu Kang.

The line started operations on 10 March 1990, and was named the Branch line, consisting of 4 stations. The line was subsequently merged into the North South line when the North South line Woodlands Extension opened on 10 February 1996, connecting the existing North South line at Yishun to the Branch line at Choa Chu Kang.[3] The station codes for Bukit Batok to Choa Chu Kang stations were changed to N23, N22 and N21 respectively, subsequently to their current code on the North South line with the revamp of the system map on 31 July 2001.[4]

Stations

Station Number	Station Name	Interchange
W9	Jurong East	East West line
B1	Bukit Batok	N/A
B2	Bukit Gombak
B3	Choa Chu Kang

References

1. "History of the Singapore MRT | Land Transport Guru". Land Transport Guru. 2016-02-29. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
2. Singapore, National Library Board. "Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system | Infopedia". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
3. Singapore, National Library Board. "Woodlands MRT station | Infopedia". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDjn3DTDNk4