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| Woodleigh MRT |
The station has remained closed since 2003, as the population in the area had been deemed insufficient to make economic sense to operate.
But the posters were up, escalators in motion and floors gleaming with that extra shine when MediaCorp visited on the eve of its big day. SBS Transit staff also conducted one last set of operational checks on the lifts and fare gates to ensure it is all systems go today.
Commuters living around the station said it has been a long time coming.
Avon Park condominium resident Suchit Negi said: "I've been a resident here for almost three years. We'd always take the bus, but once you have the MRT, you just take it, and you're right on the North-East Line."
Another resident Li Zhao Guo, 25, said: "If this station doesn't open, we need to take the bus - three stops - to Potong Pasir MRT Station. It takes us a lot of time."
Besides finally bringing travel convenience to the residents, SBS Transit will be giving something away for commuters at all 16 stations today, as the transport operator also celebrates the eighth anniversary of the NEL.
From 7.30am, more than 60 of its employees will distribute 70,000 commemorative pass holders.
SBS Transit chief executive officer Gan Juay Kiat said of the NEL: "From an annual ridership of about 30.4 million in 2003, it has grown to more than 138 million last year. And ridership continues to be on the rise. We'd like to thank our passengers for their patronage and support."
Meanwhile, over at Punggol New Town, Damai LRT Station will also begin services today. With its opening, all seven stations on the Punggol East LRT system will be operational.
