Tampines MRT Station

Infobox Station
name=Tampines MRT Station
淡滨尼地铁站
தெம்பினிஸ்
type=Rapid transit


image_size=300
image_caption=The exterior of EW2 Tampines MRT Station.
address=20 Tampines Central 1
Singapore 529538
coordinates= coord|1.211113|103.564282
line=East West, Downtown "(future)"
other=Bus, Taxi
structure=Elevated
platform=Island
depth=
levels=2
tracks=2
parking=
bicycle=
baggage_check=
passengers=
pass_year=
pass_percent=
pass_system=
opened=16 December 1989 (East West Line)
closed=
rebuilt=
electrified=
ADA=Yes
code=EW2
owned=
zone=
former=
services=s-rail|title=SMRT
mpassengers=
map_locator=MRT locator map|Tampines|px=300

Tampines MRT Station (EW2) is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station that is part of the East West MRT Line in Singapore and serves the town of Tampines. Tampines was one of the first few stations on both the North South Line and East West Line to be installed with barrier free facilities, excluding the tactile guide.

Future Plans

* Tampines 1, a new mall currently under construction next to the station, is proposed to open in early 2009.
* The station will be an interchange station for the Downtown MRT Line, connecting passengers to MacPherson, Bedok Reservoir and Expo. Currently, passengers will have to make a transfer at Tanah Merah MRT Station to access Expo MRT Station.

Current Station Layout

Bus services

Bus services are available at Tampines Bus Interchange located a short distance from the station and at the bus stops along Tampines Ave 4:

Incidents

2008 incidents

On Jan 21 2008, a maintenance works train which was carrying out works between Tampines and Simei (westbound) MRT stations broke down, causing a disruption from 5.28 am to 12.45 pm on both the eastbound and westbound services from Pasir Ris and Tanah Merah, affecting 57,000 commuters. [ cite news | title = 57,000 affected by seven-hour MRT train disruption
publisher = Channel NewsAsia | date = 21 January 2008 | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/323882/1/.html ]

SMRT was fined S$387,176 on 10 March 2008 after the LTA's investigations concluded that the disruption was due to SMRT's working party not complying with operating procedures. This was specifically on securing the parked portion of the maintenance train, which comprised a locomotive and a wagon. The fine was the largest ever for a rail related incident in Singapore.

According to operating procedures, during maintenance works, the portion comprising a locomotive and a Rail Grinding Vehicle will proceed with its works, while the portion of the maintenance train is detached and parked at a distance from the working zone.

However, investigations from LTA and SMRT showed that SMRT did not apply the locomotive's parking brake. There was also no wheel chock placed to prevent movement along the gradient of the track. If SMRT had followed operating procedures, a roll-back would have been prevented. [ cite news | title = SMRT fined almost S$400,000 for 7-hour train disruption in January
publisher = Channel NewsAsia | date = 10 March 2008 | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/334015/1/.html ]

On 20 March 2008, SMRT announced that it had decided to appeal to the LTA against the fine. In a letter, SMRT said it had provided free shuttle bus services to help affected commuters. SMRT also mobilised more than 300 staff for on-site recovery, crowd management, dissemination of information and preparation for resumption of service. [ cite news | title = SMRT appeals to LTA to review S$400,000 penalty| publisher = Channel NewsAsia | date = 20 March 2008 | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/336286/1/.html ]

On 3 April 2008, LTA turned down SMRT's appeal for a lower fine and ordered SMRT to pay the fine in full within two weeks. [ cite news | title = LTA rejects SMRT's request for reduced penalty amount| publisher = Channel NewsAsia | date = 3 April 2008 | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/339155/1/.html ]

2007 incidents

At around 8:58am on 19 April 2007, a portion of the MRT track between Tampines MRT Station and Pasir Ris MRT Station was not functioning properly. Several public service announcements had been made saying that the train service will be disrupted for about five minutes. The SMRT staff had to evacuate Pasir Ris MRT Station while fixing the problem. As a result, all eastbound trains had to terminate at Tampines MRT Station and continue its westbound service. The affected commuters were told that they have three days to collect their refunds from the SMRT. Normal train service was then resumed at 9.28 am and the commuters were then allowed to enter the MRT station again.

At about 11 am on 7 May 2007, a man in his 50s hit his head against the oncoming train and got his foot stuck in the platform gap. The man was already in a semiconscious state when he was rescued by the Civil Defence and suffered injuries to his left ankle and head. Westbound train services were disrupted for about 8 minutes. [ cite news | title = Man's feet caught in platform gap at Tampines MRT Station | publisher = Channel NewsAsia | date = 7 May 2007 | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/274731/1/.html ]

On 7 Aug 2007, a 48-year-old Chinese man fell onto the westbound track at the station. He was pronounced dead at the scene. SCDF received a call about an incident at Tampines MRT Station at 6.32pm. The man was pronounced dead by paramedics at 6.45pm.

2003 incidents

On August 8 2003, a westbound train lost traction current at 10.13 pm and stalled along the track between Pasir Ris and Tampines MRT Stations. An empty train was used to push the train towards Tampines MRT Station and service resumed at 10.35 pm.

However, 21 minutes later, the traction current tripped again, this time in between the same two stations in both directions and SMRT staff only managed to restore the eastbound side before the end of operating hours. 73 passengers were stuck in a westbound train and detrainment was carried out.

During both delays, eastbound services terminated at Tampines and alternative transport was provided for affected passengers.

References

[http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/2007-12-14-01-L.aspx SBS Transit CityShopper Service]