Jurong residents abuzz over HSR terminus site

SINGAPORE — News that Singapore’s terminus for the high-speed rail (HSR) link to Kuala Lumpur would be sited in their neighbourhood has caused many Jurong East residents to purr with excitement.

Having enjoyed greater convenience from the developments that have sprouted rapidly in their neighbourhood in recent years, such as several malls around Jurong East MRT Station, they believe the latest addition can bring only more benefits, such as better transport links and retail options.

However, a minority of those TODAY spoke to fear that the problems that have started creeping in with the recent developments, such as traffic congestion, could worsen.

Among the majority, retiree Molly Tan, 65, believes the terminus will add even more leisure options in the town. “The older generation can come here for restaurants and have all these places developed to walk around for a nice outing,” she said.

Other long-time residents are glad that the once-neglected region would soon add the terminus as the jewel in its crown amid the myriad plans already announced there.

Mr Jais Sabtu, a 45-year-old service engineer, described the vast improvements he has enjoyed, especially in the past few years.

Compared with the days when he first moved there 31 years ago when there was no Pan Island Expressway, transport options have grown considerably, he said. “It’s now easier for residents to go anywhere.”

Retiree Alan Foo, a 65-year-old who has lived there for more than 30 years, agreed: “The plans should allow the residents to be more mobile and travel around for leisure.”

Student Nantha Kumar, 17, visits his aunt, who lives in Kuala Lumpur, every Saturday, and was cheered by the promise of easier travel to Malaysia, instead of having to travel for three hours by car with his family currently. “The high-speed rail will reduce my travel time and allow me to go by myself,” he said.

Ms Angela Koh, a 47-year-old housewife, agreed: “It will be very convenient and there will be no need to change buses to travel to Malaysia.”

For some residents, however, the area has already become too congested and built up for comfort.

Citing the numerous shopping malls and the impending opening of Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, 22-year-old Kylie Yeo said Jurong East has become quite crowded. “The road congestion is quite bad,” said the undergraduate, who takes half an hour by bus to get from home to the MRT station because of traffic. “I’m afraid that it’ll worsen as more people come.”

Another undergraduate, Ms Choy Yun Zhen, 19, wondered if it was possible to expand the area’s transport infrastructure further to support the increased human traffic the high-speed rail will bring. “I don’t see how significant improvements can be made to the carrying capacity of MRT trains within the existing infrastructure. It’s already quite crowded,” she said.

For Mrs Zan Logan, 47, the environmental impact of having so many developments in the area is a concern. “A lot of trees have been cut down and there is a definite increase in temperature,” said the housewife. “When you walk between the buildings, you can feel the heat that is absorbed and radiated by the concrete because the buildings are not green.”

Meanwhile, businesses in Jurong East were mostly nonchalant about Tuesday’s announcement. “With the high-speed rail, there will be more traffic,” said Mrs Dawn Tang, 41, who owns a watch shop at the MRT station.

“But although there are more shopping malls now, my business has maintained at the same level (because of competition). I also don’t know if my shop will still be here when it’s completed, as our rental term is for three years.”