Buangkok MRT station

Coordinates: 01°22′59″N 103°53′35″E / 1.38306°N 103.89306°E / 1.38306; 103.89306
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Buangkok MRT Station)

 NE15 
Buangkok
万国
புவாங்கோக்
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station
Exit A of Buangkok station
General information
Location10 Sengkang Central
Singapore 545061
Coordinates01°22′59″N 103°53′35″E / 1.38306°N 103.89306°E / 1.38306; 103.89306
Operated bySBS Transit Ltd (ComfortDelGro Corporation)
Line(s)
  North East Line
Platforms2 (1 island platform)
Tracks2
ConnectionsBus, Taxi
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Platform levels1
AccessibleYes
History
Opened15 January 2006; 18 years ago (2006-01-15)
ElectrifiedYes
Services
Preceding station Mass Rapid Transit Following station
Hougang
towards HarbourFront
 North East Line Sengkang
towards Punggol
Location
Singapore MRT/LRT system map
Singapore MRT/LRT system map
Buangkok
Buangkok station in Singapore

Buangkok MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the North East line (NEL) in Singapore. Located underneath Sengkang Central near the junction with Compassvale Bow, the station serves the residential town of Buangkok. The station will also serve an upcoming integrated development Sengkang Grand Residencies and a future bus interchange. The station is operated by SBS Transit.

First announced in March 1996 and beginning construction in April 1997, Buangkok station was one of two stations on the NEL to remain closed when the line began operations on 20 June 2003. After intense lobbying by grassroots leaders and residents, including a white elephant incident in 2005, the station opened on 15 January 2006. Buangkok station is a designated Civil Defence shelter and the two entrances of the station are enveloped by white Teflon sheets. An Art-in-Transit artwork Water, Nature and the Contemporary by Vincent Leow is displayed at the station.

History[edit]

Construction[edit]

Station platforms

The North East line (NEL) project, which was first proposed in 1984,[1] received government approval in January 1996.[2] Buangkok station was among the sixteen NEL stations announced by communications minister Mah Bow Tan that March.[3]

The contract for the construction of Sengkang and Buangkok stations was awarded to a joint venture between Sato Kogyo and Hock Lian Seng Engineering on 26 April 1997.[4][5] The S$166.4 million (US$112.1 million) contract included the construction of 1.6-kilometre (0.99 mi) connecting tunnels between the stations and 1.2-kilometre (0.75 mi) reception tunnels to Sengkang Depot.[4]

The station was constructed in a forested area, which was proposed to be re-developed as an important new town.[6] After the forest was cleared and the vacated warehouses demolished, the station was constructed using the "open-cut" and "bottom-up" methods. The site was excavated to a depth of up to 20 m (66 ft), and work on the station then proceeded from the bottom up. Following the station's construction, roads were built to connect the station with existing roads.[7]

Delay in opening[edit]

Just days before the opening of the NEL, on 17 June 2003, operator SBS Transit announced that two stations on the line – Woodleigh and Buangkok – would not open along with the other stations, due to the lack of development in their respective areas. The operator said keeping the stations closed would reduce operating costs by S$2–3 million.[8] They said the station would need a daily ridership of 5,000 for the station to be "commercially viable",[9] and apologised for the "late notice", saying the decision to keep the stations close was only made in May when the NEL fare structure was approved. SBS Transit said the station's closure was not an "easy decision" and that they had deliberated on the matter for months.[10]

Residents around the station were upset by the sudden decision to keep Buangkok station closed, as grassroots leaders had previously assured them that the station would be opened.[11][12] A Member of Parliament (MP) for Pasir Ris–Punggol, Charles Chong, echoed the residents' sentiments.[9] A poll of residents living within 700 metres (2,300 ft) of the station showed that they were willing to walk the long distance to the station,[13] contrary to SBS Transit's justification that very few commuters would be willing to walk at least 400 metres (1,300 ft) to a station.[10] Residents polled also said it would be more convenient for them to use Buangkok station than the adjacent stations of Sengkang and Hougang. However, SBS Transit said the poll, launched by Chong and conducted with academics from the National University of Singapore (NUS), was flawed and did not take into account the frequency of commuters' usage.[13]

The government acknowledged SBS Transit had made mistakes in delaying the announcement of the station's closure but stood by the operator's decision and rationale due to low passenger demand in the area.[14] At the official opening ceremony of the NEL on 28 August 2003, deputy prime minister Lee Hsien Loong said Buangkok station would open in 2006 after more residential flats were built in the area. In the meantime, the government provided more feeder bus services for residents in the area.[12][15] In response to residents' plans to gift a white elephant statue to the operator, Lee quipped Buangkok station would be a "bigger white elephant" if the station were to serve no passengers after its opening.[12]

White elephant incidents and station opening[edit]

To address SBS Transit's doubts about whether commuters would be willing to make daily trips to a station 400 metres (1,300 ft) away, Chong and other grassroots leaders launched another survey on 27 July 2005. The survey interviewed 495 residents near Punggol station, finding that 65% of the respondents who lived within 400 metres (1,300 ft) from the station walked there seven times a week.[16][17] SBS Transit was unconvinced by the polls, saying there needed to be enough people who were willing to walk the long distance to Buangkok station.[17] Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) would reevaluate the distance criteria and expand the catchment radius from 400 metres (1,300 ft) to 500 metres (1,600 ft), as there were about 2,300 homes within 500 metres (1,600 ft) of Buangkok station.[18]

Youth minister Vivian Balakrishnan visited Punggol South on 28 August; during his visit, eight white cardboard elephants were erected along the road toward Buangkok station.[19] This prompted the minister to visit the closed station. In a dialogue session with the residents, he assured them that the station's opening would be a "matter of time" following the construction of the 2,000 residential units. Dissatisfaction with the station's continued closure had increased after the announcement of transport fare hikes.[20] After the minister's visit, the elephant cut-outs were removed.[21] On 1 September, the police launched an investigation into the cut-outs under the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act following a complaint. Residents and community leaders expressed shock at the investigation, saying there was no ill intent and that the cut-outs were a "creative way" to bring the issue up to the minister.[22] On 6 October, the police closed the investigation without pressing charges, though they sternly warned one veteran grassroots leader.[23][24] Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng clarified that the investigation was initiated because they could not selectively enforce legislation, or else the law would become "the real white elephant".[25]

Following the incident, Yeo asked the LTA to re-examine whether there was adequate passenger demand to justify the station's opening.[26][27] The expected opening date was further pushed to 2008, following projections for the housing development plans for the area. At the time, only 500 residential units had been completed within 400 metres (1,300 ft) of the station. Nevertheless, the LTA continued to review the feasibility of opening the station sooner.[28] On 11 November, Yeo announced that Buangkok station would open the following January, after SBS Transit agreed to the opening due to reduced losses from its rail operations. Yeo denied pressuring the operator to open the station and said the opening was due to "tireless appeals" by Chong.[29][30] In December, the opening date was scheduled for 15 January.[31][32] Before the opening, SBS Transit staff tested the station's equipment and had the station cleaned up.[33]

"Save the White Elephants" T-shirt design by students from Raffles Girls' School.

For the carnival at the station's opening event, students from Raffles Girls' School were invited by Punggol South grassroots to sell their remaining T-shirts bearing "Save the White Elephants".[31][34] Following the white elephant incident, the students, taken an interest in current affairs, had formed a group called "Project White Elephant", aimed at galvanising the youth to take an active role in politics. The T-shirts were created and sold to raise funds for a charity, Youth Guidance. During the preparations for the carnival at the station's opening event, the police sent an advisory to the students and carnival organisers that a fund-raising permit was required for them to sell the shirts, while also warning the organisers that "wearing the T-shirts en masse may be misconstrued by some as an offence under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public & Order & Nuisance) (Assemblies & Processions) Rules". The police said they would make an "exception" to process the fund-raising permit in time for the event.[34] No one, not even the girls selling them, ultimately wore the outfits at the station's opening, and the celebrations proceeded without issues.[35] Wong later apologised for the police's overreaction to the incident.[36]

The station opened as scheduled "with much fanfare", beginning with a walk-a-jog to the station led by the event's guest-of-honour defence minister Teo Chee Hean. The station's opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and station operations began at 12:55 pm.[35][37] After its opening, the station averaged only 1,386 daily riders instead of the expected 6,000.[38] Many residents still traveled to the adjacent Sengkang and Hougang stations due to their amenities.[39] SBS Transit, after saying that it was still "too early to draw a conclusion" about ridership,[38] remained committed to keeping the station open to serve future developments nearby.[39]

Details[edit]

Concourse level of the station

Buangkok station serves the North East line (NEL) of the Singapore MRT and is between the Hougang and Sengkang stations. The station code is NE15.[40] Being part of the NEL, the station is operated by SBS Transit.[41] The station operates daily from about 5:45 am to 12:25 am.[42] Train frequencies vary from 2.5 to 5.0 minutes.[43]

Buangkok station is located in Sengkang along the road of Sengkang Central near the junction with Compassvale Bow.[44][45] The station has two entrances serving the surrounding HDB flats and two schools Palm View Primary School and North Vista Primary School.[45] The station also serves Sengkang Grand Residencies, an integrated development including a retail mall and an upcoming bus interchange.[46][47][48]

The station is designed by Altoon + Porter Architects and 3HP Architects.[49] Unlike the other NEL stations, the entrances of Buangkok station do not employ glass in their design; white Teflon sheets supported by metal frames envelop the entrances,[50] resembling a circus tent.[51] The station is designated as a Civil Defence (CD) shelter:[52][53] it is designed to accommodate at least 7,500 people and withstand airstrikes and chemical attacks. Equipment essential for the operations in the CD shelter is mounted on shock absorbers to prevent damage during a bombing. When the electrical supply to the shelter is disrupted, there are backup generators to keep operations going.[54] The shelter has dedicated built-in decontamination chambers and dry toilets with collection bins that will send human waste out of the shelter.[55]

Like all other NEL stations, the platforms are wheelchair-accessible. A tactile system, consisting of tiles with rounded or elongated raised studs,[56] guides visually impaired commuters through the station.[57] Dedicated tactile routes connect the station entrances to the platforms.[45][58]

Artwork[edit]

Station artwork

The artwork Water, Nature & Contemporary by Vincent Leow is displayed at this station as part of the Art-in-Transit (AiT) programme, a showcase of public artworks on the MRT network.[59] The station artwork consists of two image stripes, which are displayed across the open stair voids that link the concourse level to the platform. The 80 vitreous enamel panels were silkscreened with various black-and-white photographs reminiscent of cinematic stills or film strips, depicting people, activities, and natural landscapes in Singapore. The artwork's images were enlarged, resulting in an abstract appearance; when observed from a distance, the images come into clear focus. The images incorporate dots, graphic motifs, and bands to reflect the "vitality of Buangkok New Town".[51]

Leow, typically known for his paintings and sculptures, saw the commission as "an opportunity to experiment" and decided to "push his artistic boundaries" by fusing art and photography for the commission, allowing him to express himself. The photographs, retrieved from the National Archives of Singapore, were selected to reflect the lifestyle of old Buangkok and other rural areas of Singapore and for commuters to connect the past and the future.[51] The images double as a commentary of life in Singapore; for example, the photo of the soldier on parade is intended to remind many Singaporean men of National Service and their "rite of passage into adulthood".[60]

The vibrant embellishments contrasted with the backdrop of black-and-white photographs, as the artist intended to capture the attention of commuters while creating "a bright and happy ambience" through "the explosion of colours". Leow drew parallels to the little dots and pixels of TV and computer images which blur out certain images while creating a new image.[60] Also incorporated within the artwork are auspicious symbols, including depictions of fishes and red or tangerine clouds interspersed throughout the images. These clouds draw inspiration from traditional Chinese art and street theatre, which were familiar to many Singaporeans.[61]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Study on future north-east line". Business Times. Singapore Press Holdings. 26 September 1984. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021 – via NewspaperSG.
  2. ^ "Immediate Start for north-east line". The Straits Times. 20 January 1996. p. 1. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  3. ^ Leong, Chan Teik (5 March 1996). "16 MRT stations for 20-km North-East line". The Straits Times. p. 1.
  4. ^ a b "Contracts awarded for four NE-line MRT stations". The Straits Times. 27 April 1997. p. 37. Retrieved 26 August 2022 – via NewspaperSG.
  5. ^ "Projects". hlsgroup.com.sg. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  6. ^ Leong 2003, p. 183.
  7. ^ Leong 2003, p. 184.
  8. ^ "Two of 16 NEL stations won't open on debut". The Business Times. 18 June 2003.
  9. ^ a b Tan, Christopher (10 July 2003). "Residents pile on pressure to open Buangkok MRT". The Straits Times. p. 5.
  10. ^ a b Lim, Vincent (17 July 2003). "SBS explains Buangkok decision". The Straits Times. p. 20.
  11. ^ Loh, Sherwin (18 June 2003). "Buangkok MRT delay frustrates commuters". The Straits Times.
  12. ^ a b c Goh, Chin Lian (29 August 2003). "Buangkok station may open in three years". The Straits Times. p. 3.
  13. ^ a b Tan, Christopher (23 July 2003). "People willing to walk to Buangkok MRT, says survey". The Straits Times. p. 6.
  14. ^ Goh, Chin Lian (15 August 2003). "SBS Transit 'made mistakes' over Buangkok station". The Straits Times. p. 5.
  15. ^ "Speech By Deputy Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong At The Official Opening Of The North East Line And Sengkang LRT System on 28 August 2003". Ministry of Transport. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  16. ^ Loo, Serene; Leow, Joanne (27 July 2005). "Residents willing to walk over 400 metres to Buangkok station: survey". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 1 December 2005.
  17. ^ a b Goh, Chin Lian (28 July 2005). "Buangkok MRT: New poll fails to move SBS". p. 4.
  18. ^ Goh, Chin Lian (5 August 2004). "Buangkok: Distance issue may be reviewed". The Straits Times. p. 4.
  19. ^ Low, Aaron (29 August 2005). "Buangkok opening a matter of time: Vivian". The Straits Times. p. 2.
  20. ^ Majid, Hasnita (28 August 2005). "Residents bring up 'white elephant' Buangkok MRT during minister's visit". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 9 January 2006.
  21. ^ "Residents shocked at 'white elephant' police probe". The Straits Times. 3 September 2005. p. 3.
  22. ^ Low, Aaron (2 September 2005). "Police probe complaint on 'white elephants'". The Straits Times. p. 8.
  23. ^ "Conclusion of Police's Investigations into the White Elephants Placards". Singapore Police Force. 6 October 2005. Archived from the original on 7 June 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  24. ^ Ng, Julia (6 October 2005). "Stern police warning for offender who planted "white elephants" at Buangkok MRT". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 1 October 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  25. ^ Chua, Val (7 October 2005). "Elephant probe ends with slap on the wrist". Today. p. 2. Retrieved 2 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  26. ^ "Buangkok station: Yeo Cheow Tong wants LTA reply within 'a month or so'". The Straits Times. 30 August 2005. p. 4.
  27. ^ Popatlal, Asha (29 August 2005). "LTA to complete study on Buangkok Station in 1-2 months: Yeo". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 1 December 2005. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  28. ^ "LTA needs a few months for Buangkok review". The Straits Times. 20 September 2005.
  29. ^ Goh, Chin Lian (12 November 2005). "It's confirmed: Buangkok station opens in Jan". The Straits Times. p. 3.
  30. ^ "Buangkok MRT Station to open by mid-January 2006". Channel NewsAsia. 11 November 2005. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  31. ^ a b Tan, Christopher (31 December 2005). "Buangkok station opens on Jan 15". The Straits Times. p. 7.
  32. ^ Zahara, Rita (29 December 2005). "Buangkok MRT station to open on January 15". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 1 January 2006. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  33. ^ Majid, Hasnita (9 January 2006). "Preparations underway at Buangkok MRT station for official opening". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 11 January 2006. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  34. ^ a b "Teens' white elephant T-shirt venture gets police attention". Today. 14 January 2006. Archived from the original on 16 January 2006.
  35. ^ a b Koo, Edwin; Tan, Theresa (16 January 2006). "All Aboard at 'White Elephant' Station". The Straits Times. p. 4.
  36. ^ Ng, Julia (21 January 2006). "Police overreacted to white elephant T-shirt incident: DPM Wong". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
  37. ^ "Buangkok NEL Station Commences Revenue Service amid Great Fanfare". SBS Transit. 15 January 2006. Archived from the original on 29 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  38. ^ a b Goh, Chin Lian (24 January 2006). "Poor Buangkok MRT Ridership Since Opening". The Straits Times. p. H4.
  39. ^ a b Fong, Samantha; Huang, Esther; Wong, Cheric (23 February 2006). "Aiyoh, So Creepy at Night". The New Paper.
  40. ^ "MRT System Map" (PDF). Land Transport Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  41. ^ "Getting Around – Public Transport – Rail Network". Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  42. ^ "First Train/ Last Train". SBS Transit. 2 June 2020. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  43. ^ "Transport Tools – MRT/LRT". Land Transport Authority. 6 May 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  44. ^ "Buangkok MRT Station (NE15)". OneMap. Singapore Land Authority. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  45. ^ a b c "Train Service Information". SBSTransit. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  46. ^ "Sengkang Grand Residences sees 216 units sold on launch weekend". The Straits Times. 3 November 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  47. ^ "Sengkang Grand Residences apartments to launch at prices starting from $798,000". The Straits Times. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  48. ^ "Award of tender for the commercial and residential site at Sengkang Central". Urban Redevelopment Authority. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  49. ^ "Transit Oriented Design". Altoon. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  50. ^ "Local flavour for stops along N-E line". The Straits Times. 7 August 2002. p. 8.
  51. ^ a b c Tan 2003, p. 150.
  52. ^ "Chemical attack? Clean-up at N-E line". The Straits Times. 14 February 2003.
  53. ^ "List of Public CD shelters as of 31 Dec 2019" (PDF). Singapore Civil Defence Force. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  54. ^ Leong 2003, p. 253.
  55. ^ "Fancy that, dry toilets grab most interest". The Straits Times. 16 February 2003. p. 21.
  56. ^ "Tactile Guiding System: Studs and Strips to Guide Your Way". Land Transport Authority. 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  57. ^ Leong 2003, p. 248.
  58. ^ Leong 2003, p. 249.
  59. ^ "Art in Transit". Land Transport Authority. 9 November 2022. Archived from the original on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  60. ^ a b Tan 2003, p. 151.
  61. ^ Tan 2003, p. 152.

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Buangkok_MRT_station&oldid=1219358260"