If the ongoing MRT closure of some stations along the East-West Line has already inconvenienced you quite a bit, you’re in for a rough start to 2026. That’s because it was just announced that commuters on the Circle Line (CCL) will be facing additional waiting times due to tunnel strengthening works that will commence in the latter half of January next year.
Here’s all you need to know about the upcoming CCL service disruptions in early 2026, from which stations will be affected to alternative routes to take.
The 93-day-long scheduled service disruption will be the longest of its kind in the MRT system’s history.
Image credit: SMRT
The Circle Line service disruption that’s happening in early 2026 will last from 17th January to 19th April 2026. This will affect train operations at Paya Lebar, Dakota, and Mountbatten MRT stations on the CCL, and shuttle trains will operate between these stations every 10 minutes.
Additionally, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), commuters along other MRT stations on the CCL will face additional waiting times. These include HarbourFront and Paya Lebar stations, both of which will see their peak-hour waiting times increase from 2 minutes to 3 minutes. Meanwhile, expect to see waiting times at Mountbatten, Dhoby Ghaut, and Marina Bay stations bumped up from 6 to 10 minutes.
Other CCL interchange stations like Serangoon, Bishan, Botanic Gardens, and Buona Vista stations are also projected to be even more congested during peak periods in the morning and evening. As such, additional waiting times could stretch to as long as 30 minutes.
The scheduled CCL service disruption is a result of a tunnel closure between Paya Lebar and Mountbatten stations, to allow for LTA to carry out tunnel strengthening works. The underground tunnels that run along this stretch of the CCL were built using marine clay, which is prone to deformation over time.
Although there are currently no safety risks as far as operations go, defects like water leaks have already been observed, and so there is a need to address these issues to avoid even service disruptions in the future.
To alleviate commuters’ woes, LTA has arranged for 4 different shuttle bus services that will operate between Bishan and Stadium stations. These shuttle bus services will run from 5th January 2025 onwards, so you’ll be able to better plot out your temporary detour before the tunnel closure begins. Below is a table detailing the routes these buses will take:
| Bus service no. | Destination (MRT Stations) | Operating time |
| 37A | From Serangoon to Paya Lebar | 7am-9am |
| 37B | From Tai Seng to Bishan | 5.30pm-7.30pm |
| 37C | From Tai Seng to Serangoon | 5.30pm-7.30pm |
| 38 (2-way) | From Paya Lebar to Stadium | 6.30am-9.30am, 5pm-8pm |
You can also choose to take regular bus services in order to avoid the anticipated throngs of people on the CCL, as those will remain unaffected by the tunnel closure. Otherwise, there are the other MRT lines to consider swapping to for a portion of your journey.
Image credit: LTA
For instance, those travelling to the West from the North-East and vice versa can alight at Outram Park station to access both lines. Easties headed up North, you may opt to make a stop at City Hall station and walk over to the North-South line since Bishan’s CCL platform will probably see its fair share of commuters.
It’s pretty unfortunate that we’ve got to deal with 2 major MRT service disruptions within the span of mere weeks. But, there’s not much we can do about it apart from planning our trips before heading out of home; in the grand scheme of things, hopefully we’ll see less of these come 2026 and beyond.
For more MRT-related reads:
Cover image adapted from: Ministry of Transport, Singapore via Facebook, SMRT
Technically, this is the second time Singapore has qualified for the Asian Cup.
This is your call to get up earlier for work.
As if we need another reason to visit the mall.
Look forward to free model-building workshops.
Earn some extra money on the side.
Mark your calendars for 15th December 2025.