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Eunos MRT station

Coordinates: 1°19′11.01″N 103°54′11.19″E / 1.3197250°N 103.9031083°E / 1.3197250; 103.9031083
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 EW7 
Eunos
友诺士
யூனுஸ்
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station
The exterior of Eunos station
General information
Location30 Eunos Crescent
Singapore 409423
Coordinates1°19′11.01″N 103°54′11.19″E / 1.3197250°N 103.9031083°E / 1.3197250; 103.9031083
Owned byLand Transport Authority (LTA)
Operated bySMRT Trains (SMRT Corporation)
Line(s)
  East–West Line
Platforms2 (1 island platform)
Tracks2
ConnectionsEunos Bus Interchange, Taxi
Construction
Structure typeElevated
Platform levels1
ParkingYes
Bicycle facilitiesYes
AccessibleYes
Architectural styleMalay
History
Opened4 November 1989; 34 years ago (1989-11-04)
ElectrifiedYes
Previous namesJalan Eunos
Passengers
June 202414,082 per day[1]
Services
Preceding station Mass Rapid Transit Following station
Kembangan
towards Pasir Ris
 East–West Line Paya Lebar
towards Tuas Link
Location
Singapore MRT/LRT system map
Singapore MRT/LRT system map
Eunos
Eunos station

Eunos MRT station is an elevated Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the East–West MRT line in Geylang, Singapore. Operated by SMRT Trains, the station primarily serves the Eunos area as well as the Eunos Bus Interchange. Other landmarks include the Masjid Darul Aman and the Mangral Vira Buddhist Temple.

First announced to be on initial MRT plans in May 1982, it was later announced to be constructed as part of Phase II of the MRT system on October 1983. The contract for the station was awarded to a joint venture between the Okumura Corporation and Oh Teck Thye. However, during the construction of the station, the joint venture was terminated due to Oh Teck Thye being put under receivership, with Okumura taking over the project. After its opening, there were issues with the design of the station's stairs. In 1996, a set of steps connecting the station's terrace was sinking, which created a potentially dangerous drop. It was promptly repaired. A similar issue occurred in 2006 where the stairs at the station's south front exit was sinking. Additionally, there were a set of steps connected to a ramp in the station's exit, which was criticised for seemingly being wheelchair accessible. Both of these issues were fixed. In December 2000, a man fell from the station's platform onto a set of tracks and was ran over by a train. He was rescued and transported to Changi General Hospital, where he later died. Half-height platform screen doors and high-volume low-speed fans were installed by August 2011 and the first quarter of 2013, respectively.

Built with an island platform, the station's roof took inspiration from traditional Minangkabau architecture. Additionally, there are two murals created by local artist Erica Wee as a part of SMRT's heritage-themed Comic Connect public art display. The murals showcases the history of Eunos and Katong/Joo Chiat.

History

[edit]
View of the island platform of Eunos MRT station.

Eunos station was first announced in May 1982 in the initial MRT plans.[2] It was later announced that the station would be part of Phase II of the MRT system in October 1983.[3]

There were several joint ventures between companies that prequalified for Contract 303 by May 1985, which initially detailed the construction of Paya Lebar station as well as a viaduct from Paya Lebar to Eunos stations.[4][5] Ultimately, the contract was awarded to a Japanese-Singaporean joint venture between the Okumura Corporation and Oh Teck Thye for S$60 million (1985) (US$27.27 million) in December 1985,[6] with Okumara having 60% interest in the contract whilst Oh Teck Thye having 40%.[7] By then, the contract expanded to include the construction of Eunos station as well as viaducts to Kembangan station.[6] Work began in the same month.[7] However, on 30 December 1986, the joint venture between the two companies was terminated, with the Okumura Corporation undertaking all the responsibilities of Contract 303 and Oh Teck Thye to cease all interests in said contract.[8] It was later found out that Oh Teck Thye owed S$3 million (1987) (US$1.42 million) to the United Overseas Bank (UOB) and was placed under receivership when it failed to repay its debts.[9] Meanwhile, Okumura requested to take over Oh Teck Thye's part of the contract. It was described to have been "the first case of a joint-venture split in the MRT Project".[7] By February 1986, 41% of the contract has been completed.[9] In July 1986, Swiss-Singapore company VSL Systems Pte Ltd won the subcontract for the supply of post-tension cables and pre-cast beams for the station's viaducts.[10] The station opened on 4 November 1989 as part of a stretch between Marina Bay and Tanah Merah stations.[11]

After its opening, the station had several design problems with its stairs. In February 1996, a flight of stairs from the station's terrace to the ground underwent repairs due to it sinking in the ground. The difference between the concrete of the terrace and the soft soil of the ground resulted in a 40 centimetres (16 in) drop, which posed a risk for the elderly and young children.[12] A similar issues arose in August 2006 along with another stair-related issue. According to a letter by a commuter, the "granite-clad steps of grandiose design" at the station's south front exit "[led] to nowhere". The other flight of stairs was a set of steps connected to a ramp near Eunos Food Centre in the east side of the station, which was criticised for appearing to being "wheelchair accessible".[13] SMRT clarified that the first set of stairs was meant to connect a carpark to the station whilst the ramp was originally not meant for wheelchair users, respectively. It added that works were underway to fix the first set of stairs as it was uneven due to sinking into the ground as well as to remove the ramp's stairs to make it wheelchair accessible.[14]

On 6 December 2000 at 8:15 am,[15] a man fell on the eastbound track just as a train was approaching him. The driver did activate the train's emergency breaks but could not avoid hitting the man. This resulted in the man trapped between two cabins, who was breathing. He was rescued by the Singapore Civil Defence Force, who transported him to Changi General Hospital where he died an hour later.[16]

As with most of the elevated stations along the East-West line, the station was initially built without platform screen doors. Following a rise in track intrusions as well as commuters slipping when rushing for the train, the LTA and SMRT decided to install platform screen doors.[17] After several successful tests at Jurong East, Yishun and Pasir Ris, half-height platform screen doors were eventually installed and commenced operations at Chinese Garden station by March 2012.[18] The station was installed with high-volume low-speed fans by the first quarter of 2013.[19] Noise barriers were installed on the viaducts from Eunos Road 2 to Eunos Road 5 by CCK Thomas Pte Ltd[20] as part of $17 million contract awarded in January 2015 to reduce sounds generated by trains.[21] It was completed in 2018.[22]

Details

[edit]

Eunos station is on the EWL with the station code EW7, situated between Kembangan and Paya Lebar stations.[23] Being part of the EWL, it is operated by SMRT Trains.[24]

The station runs alongside with Sims Avenue and is next to Eunos Crescent and Jalan Eunos as well as above a carpark.[25][26] It has three exits primarily serving the Eunos area and Eunos Bus Interchange. Other landmarks include the Masjid Darul Aman, Eunos Crescent Market and Food Centre, Mangal Vira Buddhist Temple, and the Kampong Ubi Police Post.[27]

It is an elevated station with an island platform. The station has a traditional Malay Minangkabau-style roof,[25] which was part SMRT's idea to give the Phase II stations "an ethnic touch". Specifically, designer of the station Scott Danielson of Parson Brickerhoff "the more [he traveled], the more disturbed [he became by] architects failing to reflect their own culture". The Minangkabau roof was initially meant for Khatib station, then Sembawang station before going to Eunos station due to it being a malay locality.[28]

The roof of Eunos station is based on traditional Minangkabau-style architecture

As a part of SMRT's heritage-themed Comic Connect public art display, there are two murals created local artist Erica Wee.[29] The first mural depicts the history of Katong and Joo Chiat as well as businessman Chew Joo Chiat (the namesake of Joo Chiat), Zubir Said (who composed Singapore's national anthem Majulah Singapura), and Old Palace Theatre. Meanwhile, the second mural depicts the history of Eunos, including Malay community leader Mohammed Eunos Bin Abdullah (the namesake of Eunos), the Telok Kurau English school, and Geylang Serai Kampong/Village.[30]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Land Transport DataMall". mytransport.sg. Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Proposed MRT stations". The Straits Times. 23 May 1982. p. 1. Retrieved 23 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  3. ^ "Phase 2 gets go-ahead to ensure continuity". The Straits Times. 26 October 1983. p. 8. Retrieved 14 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  4. ^ Yap, Boh Hoon (13 May 1985). "MRTC prequalifies 37 for 11 engineering contracts". The Business Times. p. 1. Retrieved 7 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  5. ^ "List of pre-qualified contractors — MRT Phase IIA, IIB". The Business Times. 14 May 1985. p. 3. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  6. ^ a b Lim, Soon Neo (17 December 1985). "Japanese-local venture wins $60m MRT deal". The Business Times. p. 3. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  7. ^ a b c Lim, Soon Neo (5 February 1987). "Parting of the ways for two MRT venture partners". The Business Times. p. 1. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Page 12 Advertisements Column 1". The Business Times (Notice). 28 January 1987. p. 12. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  9. ^ a b Raj, Conrad (13 February 1987). "Oh Teck Thye placed in the hands of receivers". The Straits Times. p. 24. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  10. ^ "VSL Systems clinches MRT supply deals". The Business Times. 8 July 1986. p. 2. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  11. ^ "East-enders get ticket to ride as MRT opens line". The Straits Times. 4 November 1989. p. 23. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  12. ^ Khor, Su Min (10 February 1996). "Eunos MRT station steps under repair". The New Paper. p. 8. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  13. ^ Lim, Soon Heng (29 August 2006). "Building designs that make no sense". TODAY (Letter). p. 21. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  14. ^ Low, Dawn (14 September 2024). "Granite steps at Eunos station cordoned off for safety reasons". TODAY (Response to letter). p. 34. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  15. ^ "Man jumps onto MRT track". The New Paper. 5 December 2000. p. 2. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Death on MRT track at Eunos". TODAY. 6 December 2000. p. 3. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  17. ^ Wong, Siew Ying (26 January 2008). "Above-ground MRT stations to have platform screen doors by 2012". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  18. ^ "LTA completes installing elevated MRT station screen doors early". CNA. 23 March 2017 [March 14, 2012]. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  19. ^ "Enhancing Connectivity and Comfort for Commuters". Land Transport Authority. 13 October 2011. Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  20. ^ "Phase 1 of Railway Noise Barrier Installation Plans - Annex A" (PDF). LTA (File). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  21. ^ "Railway Noise Barrier Installation on Track". LTA (Press release). 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  22. ^ "Contract for Phase 3 of Railway Noise Barrier Programme Awarded". LTA (Press release). 18 October 2019. Archived from the original on 21 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  23. ^ "System Map" (PDF). Land Transport Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  24. ^ "Getting Around – Public Transport – Rail Network". Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Ethnic touch for Eunos MRT station". The Straits Times. 20 June 1986. Retrieved 23 June 2017 – via NewspaperSG.
  26. ^ "Eunos - Map". SMRT (Map). 6 October 2024. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  27. ^ "Eunos - Exits". SMRT. 7 October 2024. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  28. ^ "MRT station roofs to show Singapore's cultural mix". The Straits Times. The Straits Times. 13 April 1987. p. 13. Retrieved 7 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  29. ^ "Commuters & Communities - Comic Connect". SMRT. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  30. ^ "Early Days of Joo Chiat and Katong" (PDF). SMRT (File). Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
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