More than 10,000 commuters are already saving time on their daily journeys. On 4 July 2026, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) opened Keppel, Cantonment and Prince Edward Road stations for a public preview, finally closing the loop that planners first drew up in the early 1990s and completing the Circle Line (CCL).
In this guide
- What you’ll learn in this article
- What are the three new Circle Line Stage 6 stations?
- How does closing the loop actually change your commute?
- What happened during the public preview?
- Why did it take more than 30 years to complete the Circle Line?
- What’s around the new CCL6 stations?
- How has the Circle Line been performing?
- What does the completed CCL mean for the wider MRT network?
- What fares should you expect at the new CCL6 stations?
- Is there more to come on the Circle Line?
- Before you tap in
- Frequently Asked Questions
What you’ll learn in this article
- The three new CCL6 stations and what makes each one worth knowing
- How the completed loop changes travel times for commuters heading south
- Fare and journey time comparisons before and after CCL6 opens fully
- Practical tips for your first ride, including which exits to use
- What comes next for the Circle Line and Singapore’s MRT network
What are the three new Circle Line Stage 6 stations?
Circle Line Stage 6 adds three stations to the southern stretch of the CCL, bridging the gap between HarbourFront and the existing network at Bayfront. The three stations are Keppel (CC29), Cantonment (CC30) and Prince Edward Road (CC31). Together they cover the corridor running through the southern fringe of the Central Business District (CBD) and into the Keppel waterfront precinct.
Keppel station sits closest to the Keppel Harbour waterfront and is expected to serve workers and residents in the upcoming Keppel redevelopment precinct, one of Singapore’s most anticipated new urban districts. Cantonment serves the existing Cantonment Road area and gives residents of that low-rise enclave their first direct MRT access. Prince Edward Road bridges the two, connecting commuters to Chinatown and the southern CBD fringe without forcing a long detour through Dhoby Ghaut or Outram Park.
How does closing the loop actually change your commute?
Closing the Circle Line loop is a bigger deal than it sounds. Before CCL6, the line ran from Dhoby Ghaut (CC1) down through Marina Bay and terminated at HarbourFront (CC29A). If you wanted to travel from, say, Labrador Park or Telok Blangah to the CBD, you had to either take a bus or backtrack all the way up through HarbourFront and change lines. Now, commuters in the southern corridor can ride directly along the completed loop.
The Straits Times reported on 4 July 2026 that more than 10,000 commuters are expected to benefit from shorter rides as a direct result of the new stations closing the loop. For someone commuting daily from the southern corridor to offices near Dhoby Ghaut or Buona Vista, the time savings add up to meaningful minutes every single day. That’s not just minor convenience.
Here’s how selected journeys change with CCL6 in operation:
| Journey | Before CCL6 | After CCL6 |
|---|---|---|
| HarbourFront to Bayfront | Change at Outram Park, around 18 min | Direct via CCL loop, around 10 min |
| Keppel area to Dhoby Ghaut | Bus and train, 25-30 min | Direct CCL, around 15 min |
| Cantonment to Bayfront | Bus to HarbourFront, then change, around 22 min | Direct CCL, around 8 min |
| Prince Edward Road to Esplanade | No direct MRT option previously | CCL direct, around 12 min |
Journey time estimates are approximate and based on typical off-peak travel. Actual times vary by service frequency and platform waiting time.
What happened during the public preview?
The public preview on 4 July 2026 gave Singaporeans the chance to explore all three new CCL6 stations with free MRT rides. According to SGTrains.com, it was an opportunity for commuters to familiarise themselves with the new stations before revenue service begins. LTA announced the preview date as early as 14 May 2026, giving the public about seven weeks’ notice.
Free rides meant crowds arrived early, which is entirely predictable for any new station opening here. If you missed the preview, don’t worry. Revenue service will follow, and the stations will operate as part of the regular MRT operating hours once they officially open for ticketed travel. The preview was primarily for people to walk through the stations, test the fare gates, and get a feel for the layout before the morning rush begins.
Why did it take more than 30 years to complete the Circle Line?
The Circle Line’s origins trace back to planning work done in the early 1990s, when the idea of a ring-shaped orbital line connecting Singapore’s various radial MRT lines was first seriously studied. The first CCL stations opened in May 2009, with subsequent stages following through 2011 and 2012. However, the southern loop segment, what we now call CCL Stage 6, was consistently deprioritised in favour of other network expansions.
Land acquisition and engineering challenges in the southern corridor, combined with the parallel development of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) and other priority projects, meant CCL6 kept being pushed back. The Downtown Line (DTL) and TEL both required enormous resources throughout the 2010s and early 2020s. CCL6 construction began in earnest after those lines were substantially delivered, and geotechnical work in the Keppel area proved complex given the waterfront location.
Thirty-plus years from concept to completion is a long time. But as Malay Mail noted on 5 July 2026, the completed CCL is set to genuinely transform commuting patterns across the southern part of Singapore’s MRT network. Our Circle Line guide has been updated to reflect the completed loop.
What’s around the new CCL6 stations?
Each of the three new stations serves a distinct neighbourhood, and they’re worth knowing if you’re planning to explore.
Keppel (CC29)
Keppel station will eventually be the gateway to a major mixed-use precinct being developed on the former Keppel Club and Keppel Shipyard land. As of July 2026, large-scale construction is ongoing, but the waterfront promenade and Labrador Nature Reserve are accessible on foot. It’s a surprisingly pleasant area for a weekend morning walk once the heat is manageable, typically before 9.00am.
Cantonment (CC30)
Cantonment station serves the Cantonment Road and Tanjong Pagar area, an enclave of pre-war shophouses and quiet streets that sits oddly peacefully between the CBD and the container port. It’s close to existing dining options along Neil Road and Tanjong Pagar Road, and puts Outram Park (CC3/NE3/EW16) just one stop away for those needing to transfer to the North East Line or East-West Line.
Prince Edward Road (CC31)
Prince Edward Road station anchors CCL6 to the rest of the loop, linking back to Bayfront (CC22/DT16). For visitors, this means direct Circle Line access to Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay is now possible from the southern corridor without any line changes. Our guide to the best MRT routes to Marina Bay Sands and Gardens covers this in detail.
How has the Circle Line been performing?
The timing of CCL6’s opening comes on the back of a strong reliability run for the line. According to CNA, as of June 2026, MRT reliability across the network was nearing record highs, with Circle Line performance having improved by around 50% compared to earlier benchmarks. That’s a significant turnaround for a line that faced criticism for disruptions in previous years.
LTA and SMRT have also responded to commuter feedback on wayfinding. The Straits Times reported in early July 2026 that improved wayfinding signs have been rolled out across the Circle Line following passenger feedback. This is particularly welcome given that the CCL’s orbital route can be genuinely confusing for first-time riders trying to figure out which direction is clockwise and which is counter-clockwise. Our article on the Circle Line wayfinding improvements goes into more detail on what’s changed.
What does the completed CCL mean for the wider MRT network?
Completing the Circle Line changes the network’s structural logic in a subtle but important way. The CCL was always designed to function as an orbital connector, letting commuters transfer between the radial lines, which are the North-South Line (NSL), East-West Line (EWL), North East Line (NEL) and Downtown Line (DTL), without travelling into town first. A broken loop limited that value significantly. Now that CCL6 is in place, the circle is complete, and the orbital function the line was meant to serve is finally fully operational.
For tourists and first-time visitors, the completed CCL also makes it easier to plan journeys around the southern half of the island. If you’re carrying a Singapore Tourist Pass, the unlimited rides perk now covers a genuinely loop-able route across the city. You can check the updated network on our interactive Singapore MRT map, which reflects all current station alignments including the new CCL6 stations.
What fares should you expect at the new CCL6 stations?
The new CCL6 stations use the standard distance-based fare structure that applies across the entire Singapore MRT network. According to the LTA’s official fare information, adult fares for MRT journeys typically range from around S$0.92 to S$2.50 for most intra-city trips, depending on distance. A short hop from HarbourFront to Keppel, for instance, would be at the lower end of that range. Concession fares for students, seniors and persons with disabilities apply as usual.
You tap in and tap out using your EZ-Link card, SimplyGo account, Singapore Tourist Pass, or a contactless bank card. There are no special fares or surcharges for using the new stations. Our MRT fares and ticketing guide covers everything in one place.
Is there more to come on the Circle Line?
With CCL6 now open for preview, the operational Circle Line runs from CC1 (Dhoby Ghaut) through to CC31 (Prince Edward Road) and back around via CC22 (Bayfront), completing the full loop. The line currently has 33 stations in total, including the three CCL6 additions, and spans the central and southern parts of the island.
Looking further ahead, Singapore’s rail expansion continues on other fronts. The Cross Island Line (CRL) remains under construction, and the Jurong Region Line (JRL) is progressing in stages. Our MRT lines overview keeps all current and upcoming lines in one place.
Before you tap in
The opening of Keppel, Cantonment and Prince Edward Road is one of the more significant milestones in Singapore’s MRT history. Three decades is a long time to wait for three stations, but the completed Circle Line loop is now a functional reality. For commuters in the southern corridor, the difference is already being felt. Head over to our CCL6 public preview guide for a detailed look at what to expect at each of the new stations, or pull up the full updated network on the Circle Line map page before your first ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the new Circle Line Stage 6 stations open?
The three new Circle Line Stage 6 stations, Keppel (CC29), Cantonment (CC30) and Prince Edward Road (CC31), opened for a public preview on 4 July 2026. The preview offered free rides to the public. Revenue service is expected to follow shortly after the preview period.
What are the names of the new Circle Line Stage 6 stations?
The three new CCL6 stations are Keppel (CC29), Cantonment (CC30) and Prince Edward Road (CC31). They complete the southern segment of the Circle Line, connecting HarbourFront to Bayfront and closing the loop for the first time in the line’s history.
How does the completed Circle Line loop affect travel times?
According to The Straits Times, more than 10,000 commuters are expected to benefit from shorter journeys. Trips that previously required a bus or a line change at Outram Park can now be made directly on the Circle Line. For example, a journey from Cantonment to Bayfront drops from around 22 minutes to roughly 8 minutes.
Are there free rides on the new Circle Line Stage 6 stations?
Free rides were offered specifically during the public preview on 4 July 2026. Once revenue service begins, standard distance-based MRT fares apply. Adult fares for short hops on the CCL typically start from around S$0.92, with concession rates available for eligible commuters.
Why did it take 30 years to complete the Circle Line?
The Circle Line was first planned in the early 1990s, with the first stations opening in 2009. Stage 6, covering the southern loop segment through Keppel, Cantonment and Prince Edward Road, was repeatedly delayed due to land acquisition challenges, complex geotechnical conditions near the Keppel waterfront, and the prioritisation of other major MRT expansions such as the Downtown Line and Thomson-East Coast Line.
Keep exploring
- Circle Line Stage 6 Public Preview: Free Rides on 4 July 2026
- Circle Line MRT Map and Station Guide
- Circle Line Wayfinding Signs Upgraded After Passenger Feedback