Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011 gets 24-hour train service

Late-night revellers should also mark 4 December on their calendars

SMRT, in partnership with the Singapore Sports Council – Organiser of the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore – will operate overnight MRT train services on the North-South East-West Lines (NSEWL) and Circle Line (CCL) for runners heading to the three different start points for the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011 on early Sunday morning, 4 December.

This overnight train service will be available to commuters in Singapore, and besides giving race runners and supporters a new and convenient way to reach the race start points, it provides another travel option for late-night revellers returning home on 4 December.

Mr David Voth, Senior Director of Sports Business at the Singapore Sports Council and Vicechairman of the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011 Organising Committee said,
“We are extremely pleased to renew our collaboration with SMRT Corporation Ltd this year to provide overnight train services for our runners and supporters. This represents a significant
improvement from last year’s arrangement as Full Marathon runners using the SMRT network will now have the opportunity to join participants in other race categories in travelling via train to their respective start points with great ease and convenience.”

“In addition, the extensive train service network provided by SMRT will undoubtedly encourage more runners and supporters to take public transport on race day, which will not only solve their parking woes, but also help us limit our carbon footprint and better manage the overall traffic situation. Overall, the tremendous support from SMRT is testament to the excellent working relationships we have with various stakeholders to provide our runners and supporters with the best race experience, not just in terms of race operations, but also logistical considerations as well, ” added Mr Voth.

Mr Lui Wai Meng, Vice President of SMRT’s Rail Operations explained, “The year-end festive
season is around the corner and running this train service in conjunction with the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore not only brings greater connectivity to runners, it could also kick start the festive celebrations for Singaporeans. Commercial establishments may like to take this opportunity to extend their service hours that weekend and promote extended-hour, and even 24-hour shopping, dining and entertainment options to their customers.”

The special overnight train service will operate from about 1.00am to 5.30am, with a frequency of 15 minutes. To minimise inconvenience to residents living around the MRT tracks, travelling speed of trains will be reduced at elevated stations. As a result, the journey between each elevated station will be lengthened by about two minutes. In the city centre, the first overnight north-, east- and west-bound trains will depart City Hall at 1.04am, 1.41am and 1.30am respectively. The first overnight CCL train will depart at Dhoby Ghaut at 12.59am. Standard fares apply.

Normal train frequency and speed will resume at about 6.00am on 4 December 2011.

The train service extension does not apply to Bukit Panjang LRT and Changi Airport extension (between Expo and Changi Airport stations).

Getting to the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011 by SMRT trains

Orchard, Somerset, City Hall interchange, as well as HarbourFront and Esplanade stations on the Circle Line, are the closest train stations to the race venue for runners and supporters.

The first overnight NSEWL and CCL trains will depart the end stations at these times:
- East-West Line Joo Koon: 1.00am Pasir Ris: 1.00am
- North-South Line Jurong East: 1.00am Marina Bay: 1.00am
- Circle Line HarbourFront: 1.00am Dhoby Ghaut: 12.59am

Please refer to Annex A for train service details.

Passengers may contact SMRT Customer Relations at 1800-336-8900 or visit www.smrt.com.sg for more information.