Downtown Line ridership rose by up to 30% since Jan 4: Khaw

SINGAPORE — Ridership on the Downtown Line (DTL) has risen by up to 30 per cent since the work and school year began on Jan 4, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan today (Feb 2).

“This has also brought benefits to the rest of the network. Some 5 per cent of commuters on the East-West Line, for instance, have shifted to the DTL,” he wrote in his blog.

“This has reduced crowding slightly at stations like Jurong East. Buses that ply the DTL2 corridor are also less crowded.”

Mr Khaw said he hopes the DTL2 will encourage more people not to use their cars.

The DTL2 began its operations on  Dec 27 last year. Its 12 stations include Bukit Panjang, Beauty World, Sixth Avenue and Rochor. Schools along the new MRT line have seen fewer cars dropping off students in the area, making Dunearn Road and Bukit Timah Road noticeably less crowded in the mornings.

“Many shops and eateries along the line, in particular at Beauty World, after patiently putting up with the inconvenience during the construction of DTL2, are now enjoying booming business,” Mr Khaw wrote.
“All in all, DTL2 has started very positively. I think it will be a game changer in our journey towards a car-lite lifestyle,” he added.