Explaining the Planned 30-Minute Circle Line “Disruption” That’ll Last for 3 Months

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From 17 January 2026 to 19 April 2026, Circle Line passengers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes due to planned works on the tunnel between Paya Lebar, Dakota and Mountbatten stations. While it may sound like a Circle Line–only issue, it will affect many commuters because the disruption happens over a long period and mainly during peak hours, when crowds are the worst.

During this period, train services between Paya Lebar, Dakota and Mountbatten will operate as a shuttle train loop running every 10 minutes. Trains from the rest of the Circle Line will terminate at Paya Lebar or Mountbatten, so commuters travelling across that stretch will need to alight and change trains. This creates a bottleneck on the line, similar to a traffic jam on an expressway, leading to knock-on delays along the Circle Line.

To help commuters, shuttle buses will start running from 5 January 2026 so that people can get used to alternative routes before the full disruption kicks in. These buses will run between selected Circle Line stations during peak hours to bring passengers to unaffected stations, but commuters will still pay the normal fare, unlike during unplanned breakdowns. As more people avoid the Circle Line and reroute via other lines, interchanges like Bishan, Serangoon and Buona Vista, as well as connecting lines, are expected to be more crowded, especially during peak periods.

The works are needed because the tunnel segment near those three stations is in weaker ground and has gradually started “squatting” over time, turning from a perfect circle into a more oval shape. Authorities have monitored this for about ten years and say it is still safe, but they need to strengthen the tunnel before the last three Circle Line stations open to form a full loop. Steel plates will be installed to keep the tunnel in its proper shape, and this requires significant machinery and time, making it impractical to do only during short night closures.