SINGAPORE — The first three stations of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) will begin operations in January before Chinese New Year, said Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan on Thursday (Sept 19). 

The three stations are Woodlands North, Woodlands and Woodlands South. 

Similar to previous launches, commuters can expect to enjoy a few days of free travel to familiarise themselves with the new stations and the connection to the North-South Line, said Mr Khaw.

He made the announcement during a visit to the Mandai Depot where the trains for the TEL will be housed.

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The nine trains for the first stage of the TEL are currently being tested and commissioned at the depot, said Mr Khaw, adding that the signalling system has also been installed and is being tested. 

The TEL began construction in 2013 and is slated to be completed around 2024, said Mr Khaw. 

"TEL's construction started in 2013, when the transport minister was Mr Lui Tuck Yew. When completed around 2024... it will be a different transport minister," he said, adding: "I will be using it as a passenger".

When completed, the line will be 43km long and house 32 stations connecting Woodlands to Gardens by the Bay in the south and Bedok in the east. 

Currently, Stage 2 of the TEL is about 90 per cent complete. It comprises stations in Springleaf, Lentor, Mayflower, Bright Hill, Upper Thomson and Caldecott. 

Meanwhile, Stage 3 is about 75 per cent complete, while Stage 4 is about 50 per cent complete. These stations stretch from Mount Pleasant to Bayshore.

Stage 5, with stations in Bedok South and Sungei Bedok, is about 35 per cent complete.