Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced extensive service interruptions on the Circle Line (CCL) for three months in early 2026, leading to significantly longer commutes for daily riders. Scheduled from January 17 to April 19, 2026, these delays stem from essential tunnel reinforcement works between the Mountbatten, Dakota, and Paya Lebar MRT stations. While commuters should brace for up to 30 minutes of added travel time, the LTA is launching dedicated shuttle services starting in early January 2026 to help mitigate the disruption and ensure long-term structural integrity ahead of the CCL’s anticipated full completion in 2026.
Structural Maintenance Spurs Major CCL Disruption
The upcoming 2026 works address a phenomenon known as “tunnel squatting,” a natural structural movement affecting certain sections of the CCL. According to the LTA, this condition is common in tunnels built through soft marine clay environments like Singapore, where soil pressures can cause minor deformation. Although officials insist the current situation poses no immediate safety risk, the reinforcement is mandatory to prevent potential future structural compromise.
This period of repair follows ongoing operational adjustments throughout late 2024 and 2025, which have included later starts and earlier endings on select weekends, all paving the way for the line’s eventual expansion and enhanced resilience.
The maintenance focus lies heavily on the underground route connecting Mountbatten, Dakota, and Paya Lebar. However, the resulting reduced track availability means the entire CCL network, including busy interchange stations like Bishan, Serangoon, and Buona Vista, will experience substantial slowdowns, particularly during peak commuter hours.
Commuters Must Expect Significant Delay Increases
Riders should radically adjust their expected travel times during the 93-day repair period. The LTA projects that the additional time spent waiting for trains could reach 30 minutes along certain routes.
To illustrate the increased travel burden, the LTA shared specific changes to train intervals:
- HarbourFront to Paya Lebar: Intervals will rise from two minutes to three minutes.
- Paya Lebar to Mountbatten: Intervals will experience the most drastic increase, jumping from three minutes to 10 minutes.
- Mountbatten to Dhoby Ghaut/Marina Bay: Intervals will lengthen from six minutes to 10 minutes.
Commuters are strongly advised to factor in this additional allowance or proactively seek alternative transportation options via parallel bus routes or different MRT lines.
Shuttle Services Offer Relief
Recognizing the impact of the delays, the LTA will introduce several dedicated shuttle bus services designed to manage passenger flow along the most congested sections. These ancillary services will start running two weeks prior to the major tunnel works, specifically on January 5, 2026, allowing commuters time to familiarize themselves with the new options.
Key shuttle routes include:
- Service 38: Operating between Paya Lebar and Stadium MRT stations during morning (6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.) and evening (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) peaks.
- Service 37A: A one-way morning service (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.) connecting Serangoon to Tai Seng, Macpherson, and Paya Lebar.
- Service 37B/37C: One-way evening services (5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) designed for commuters traveling out of Tai Seng toward Bishan (37B) and Serangoon (37C).
While utilizing these shuttle buses will alleviate crowding on the trains, these supplementary services are not free. Fares will be calculated based on the standard distance model, generally aligning with regular train charges.
Ultimately, these short-term operational hurdles are a necessary prelude to the CCL’s full circle completion in 2026, which promises improved connectivity across the island’s southern region, delivering long-term benefits to Singapore’s public transit ecosystem.