Structural work at East Coast Integrated Depot 75% complete; four-in-one facility set to open in 2025

Singapore – About 75% of the structural work for Singapore’s largest train and bus depot has been completed, with the facility expected to be completed in 2025.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) released an update Tuesday on the East Coast Integrated Depot south of Changi. This depot is said to be the first in the world with he three rail depots and one bus depot within one site.

Construction at the depot is progressing well, the LTA said, adding that concrete work and building work are underway.

The track is currently being installed and the installation of electrical, maintenance and system services is underway.

Construction on the 4-in-1 facility began in 2016 and was originally scheduled to be completed by 2024. This has been postponed to 2025 due to delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The three depots are stacked one on top of the other, with the Downtown MRT Line depot located underground, the Thomson East Coast Line depot on the first floor, and the East-West Line depot on the first floor.

MRT depots share facilities and systems, but are designed to operate independently.

The bus depot is a four-story building next to the multi-story train depot complex, on the same property.

This 4:1 setup saved 44 hectares of land. This equates to about 60 football fields, he said, LTA.

When completed, it will have space for 220 trains on three MRT lines and about 760 bus parking spaces.

According to LTA, it will have eco-friendly features such as solar panels on the roof and a design that optimizes natural light and ventilation.

During a visit to the depots on Tuesday, Transport Minister S. Iswaran said Singapore now has more than 400 trains in operation, backed by nine train depots across the island.

“As you can imagine, land acquisition is critical. With the expansion of the rail system, the need for depot space like this is increasing, so we need innovative solutions,” he said.