The Cross Island Line is the rail project that will change the most neighbourhoods over the next decade. It runs east to west across the north-eastern and central parts of the island, crossing several existing lines and creating new interchanges. This article sets out the stations and target years LTA has published, and explains what the line means for the neighbourhoods in our guides.
All dates here are LTA's targets. Large rail projects can shift, so check LTA's project page for the latest position before relying on a date.
The line in three phases, plus an extension
LTA's project page divides the Cross Island Line into phases. Station codes on the main line run from CR2 to CR23, and the Punggol Extension uses CP codes.
Phase 1: target 2030
Phase 1 has twelve stations, running from the east towards the centre:
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| CR2 | Aviation Park | |
| CR3 | Loyang | |
| CR4 | Pasir Ris East | |
| CR5 | Pasir Ris | East-West Line |
| CR6 | Tampines North | |
| CR7 | Defu | |
| CR8 | Hougang | North East Line |
| CR9 | Serangoon North | |
| CR10 | Tavistock | |
| CR11 | Ang Mo Kio | North-South Line |
| CR12 | Teck Ghee | |
| CR13 | Bright Hill | Thomson-East Coast Line |
Punggol Extension: target 2032
The Punggol Extension branches from Pasir Ris towards Punggol:
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| CP2 | Elias | |
| CP3 | Riviera | Punggol LRT |
| CP4 | Punggol | North East Line |
Phase 2: target 2032
Phase 2 continues the line west:
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| CR14 | Turf City | |
| CR15 | King Albert Park | Downtown Line |
| CR16 | Maju | |
| CR17 | Clementi | East-West Line |
| CR18 | West Coast | |
| CR19 | Jurong Lake District |
Phase 3: late 2030s
LTA describes Phase 3 as targeted for the late 2030s, ending at Gul Circle (CR23), an interchange with the East-West Line. Station names for the intermediate stops in this phase were not stated on LTA's page when we read it.
The neighbourhoods that gain
LTA's station list and URA's Master Plan 2025 rail layer show five of our twelve neighbourhoods gaining Cross Island Line stations.
Pasir Ris gains the most. Phase 1 adds Loyang (CR3), Pasir Ris East (CR4) and Pasir Ris (CR5), and the Punggol Extension adds Elias (CP2). Today Pasir Ris has one station, the eastern end of the East-West Line. By 2032 it is planned to have five station names and to be the junction where the Punggol Extension branches off.
Tampines gains Tampines North (CR6) in Phase 1, serving the newest part of the town.
Ang Mo Kio gains an interchange at Ang Mo Kio (CR11) with the North-South Line, and Teck Ghee (CR12), both in Phase 1.
Bukit Timah gains Turf City (CR14) and Maju (CR16) in Phase 2, plus an interchange at King Albert Park (CR15) with the Downtown Line.
Clementi gains an interchange at Clementi (CR17) with the East-West Line and West Coast (CR18), both in Phase 2.
The six interchanges, in plain terms
Each interchange on the line links it to a different part of the existing network:
- Pasir Ris (CR5) meets the East-West Line at its eastern end, linking the line to the eastern towns and, westwards, to the city.
- Hougang (CR8) meets the North East Line, which runs from Punggol through Serangoon and Little India to HarbourFront.
- Ang Mo Kio (CR11) meets the North-South Line, which runs through Bishan, Novena and Orchard to the city.
- Bright Hill (CR13) meets the Thomson-East Coast Line, the north-to-east route linking Woodlands with Orchard, Marina Bay and Katong.
- King Albert Park (CR15) meets the Downtown Line, which runs from Bukit Panjang through Bukit Timah and the city to the east.
- Clementi (CR17) meets the East-West Line in the west.
With the Punggol Extension, Riviera links to the Punggol LRT and Punggol to the North East Line, and Phase 3 ends at Gul Circle on the East-West Line.
Our neighbourhoods before and after
| Neighbourhood | Lines today | Cross Island Line stations | LTA target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasir Ris | East-West | Loyang, Pasir Ris East, Pasir Ris; Elias | 2030; 2032 |
| Tampines | East-West, Downtown | Tampines North | 2030 |
| Ang Mo Kio | North-South, Thomson-East Coast | Ang Mo Kio, Teck Ghee | 2030 |
| Bukit Timah | Downtown, Circle | Turf City, King Albert Park, Maju | 2032 |
| Clementi | East-West | Clementi, West Coast | 2032 |
Reading a target year
LTA describes these dates as targets. They are the best published guide to when a station will open, but they are not a promise, and LTA updates its project pages when timelines change. If a target year matters to a decision, such as a move timed around a commute, check LTA's page again close to the date and treat earlier announcements as superseded.
Why the line matters
Most of Singapore's older rail lines run in and out of the city centre. The Cross Island Line is different: it links suburbs to each other and to several radial lines. That has two effects for residents.
First, it shortens cross-town trips. Travelling between the east and the north-east, or between Ang Mo Kio and Tampines, can mean heading towards the centre and changing. Phase 1 creates a direct line between them.
Second, it creates new interchanges. Pasir Ris, Hougang, Ang Mo Kio, Bright Hill, King Albert Park and Clementi all become places where the Cross Island Line meets an existing line. A home near one of those interchanges gains access to two lines without a long walk.
What to check if you are buying near a future station
- The phase and target year. A Phase 1 station targeted for 2030 is a nearer prospect than a Phase 2 station targeted for 2032.
- The exact station site. Station locations are shown on LTA's and URA's maps; check the distance from the home to the planned site.
- Construction in the meantime. Rail works can last until the station opens. Ask about the work site nearest the home.
- What the line connects to. An interchange station adds more value than an intermediate stop on a single line.
Frequently asked questions
When will the Cross Island Line open?
LTA targets 2030 for Phase 1, 2032 for Phase 2 and the Punggol Extension, and the late 2030s for Phase 3.
Which stations are interchanges?
Pasir Ris (East-West Line), Hougang (North East Line), Ang Mo Kio (North-South Line) and Bright Hill (Thomson-East Coast Line) in Phase 1; King Albert Park (Downtown Line) and Clementi (East-West Line) in Phase 2; Riviera (Punggol LRT) and Punggol (North East Line) on the extension; and Gul Circle (East-West Line) at the end of Phase 3.
Does the Cross Island Line go to Pasir Ris?
Yes. Phase 1 adds Loyang, Pasir Ris East and a Pasir Ris interchange, and the Punggol Extension adds Elias.
Which of your neighbourhoods are not on the line?
Queenstown, the Downtown Core, Bukit Panjang, Bukit Merah, Marine Parade, Rochor and the Southern Islands have no Cross Island Line stations in LTA's published list.
Will the Cross Island Line reach the city centre?
No. It is designed to link suburbs and existing lines rather than run into the city. Riders change at one of its interchanges for trips into the centre.
Which Cross Island Line stations are in Bukit Timah?
Turf City (CR14), King Albert Park (CR15) and Maju (CR16), all in Phase 2, targeted for 2032.
Does the Cross Island Line reach Tampines?
Yes, at Tampines North (CR6) in Phase 1, targeted for 2030.
Which stations are on the Punggol Extension?
Elias (CP2), Riviera (CP3) and Punggol (CP4), targeted for 2032.
Sources
- Land Transport Authority, Cross Island Line project page: phases, station names, codes, interchanges and target years.
- URA Master Plan 2025 Rail Station Name layer (data.gov.sg), for future station names by planning area.