North East Line (Purple Line MRT)
HarbourFront to Punggol
View the North East Line map in full screen at Google
Highlighted North East Line map
Last updated . Facts checked against LTA announcements.
North East Line (Purple Line MRT) guide
The North East Line is the MRT line that links the southern waterfront at HarbourFront with the new towns of Sengkang and Punggol in the northeast. It is shown in purple on official maps, and its station codes all begin with NE. At about 22 kilometres it is the shortest MRT line in Singapore, but it carries a large share of commuters from the northeast into the city. It is the third MRT line Singapore built, and it was the first fully automated, driverless heavy rail line to run underground anywhere in the world. Trains draw power from an overhead line rather than a third rail.
The line runs between HarbourFront (NE1) at its southern end and Punggol Coast (NE18) at its northern end. Along the way it passes through Chinatown, the Dhoby Ghaut area, Little India, Serangoon and Hougang before reaching Sengkang and Punggol. SBS Transit operates the line, along with the Sengkang and Punggol LRT systems that connect to it. There are 17 stations open. On the north east line map you will notice the codes jump from NE1 to NE3, so there is no NE2 station in service. Every station is wheelchair accessible, and most of them double as civil defence shelters.
North East Line map: route and where it goes
Starting in the south, the line begins at HarbourFront, where it meets the Circle Line. It then heads north to Outram Park, a major junction with both the East West Line and the Thomson-East Coast Line. The next stop, Chinatown, serves the historic district of the same name and connects with the Downtown Line. From there the line reaches Clarke Quay beside the Singapore River, then passes under the river to Dhoby Ghaut. Dhoby Ghaut is one of the busiest points on the whole north east line map, as it brings together the North South Line and the Circle Line as well as the purple line.
North of Dhoby Ghaut the line follows the corridor of Serangoon Road. Little India serves the district of that name and links to the Downtown Line. Farrer Park and Boon Keng come next, followed by Potong Pasir and Woodleigh, the latter built close to the former Bidadari cemetery. Serangoon is the next major stop, where you can change to the Circle Line. This is a useful transfer point for people travelling across the island without going through the city centre.
The northern section serves the residential towns of the northeast. Kovan and Hougang come first, then Buangkok, which sits between Hougang and Sengkang. Sengkang station connects to the Sengkang LRT, which loops through the surrounding housing estates. Punggol station does the same for the Punggol LRT. The line then continues one more stop to Punggol Coast, the current terminus, which serves developments in Punggol North.
Interchange stations
The north east line map shows nine stations where you can change to another rail line:
- HarbourFront (NE1): change to the Circle Line (CC29).
- Outram Park (NE3): change to the East West Line (EW16) or the Thomson-East Coast Line (TE17).
- Chinatown (NE4): change to the Downtown Line (DT19).
- Dhoby Ghaut (NE6): change to the North South Line (NS24) or the Circle Line (CC1).
- Little India (NE7): change to the Downtown Line (DT12).
- Serangoon (NE12): change to the Circle Line (CC13).
- Sengkang (NE16): change to the Sengkang LRT (STC).
- Punggol (NE17): change to the Punggol LRT (PTC).
Note that the Circle Line appears three times on this list. HarbourFront, Dhoby Ghaut and Serangoon all connect to it, so you can choose the transfer that best suits the direction of your journey.
History
A line to the northeast was first proposed in 1984, when planners concluded that roads into the planned housing estates of Punggol and the surrounding area would not cope with future traffic. The government gave its approval in principle in 1989. However, construction was held back because the northeast did not yet have enough residents to justify the cost, and the Woodlands extension of the existing network was built first. After a 1996 white paper, the government decided to build the line immediately. The station sites were announced that March, and work began with a groundbreaking at Farrer Park on 25 November 1997. Testing problems with the signalling system pushed back the planned opening. Passenger service finally started on 20 June 2003, and around 140,000 people travelled on the first day.
Two stations stayed closed at first because the area around them had not yet been developed. Buangkok opened on 15 January 2006, after a period of public frustration from local residents who had expected it to open with the rest of the line. Woodleigh followed on 20 June 2011. Ridership grew quickly as Sengkang and Punggol filled up, and the line became profitable in its third year. Average daily trips rose from 156,000 in 2003 to 380,000 by 2009. A one-station extension north to serve Punggol North was announced in 2013. Its target date was later brought forward, but delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic set it back, and Punggol Coast opened on 10 December 2024.
Tips for riding the line
- Use Serangoon to reach the Circle Line from the northeast. If you are coming from Hougang, Sengkang or Punggol and heading somewhere on the Circle Line, changing at Serangoon avoids a trip into the city centre.
- Pick your city interchange by destination. Change at Outram Park for the East West Line or the Thomson-East Coast Line, at Dhoby Ghaut for the North South Line, and at Chinatown or Little India for the Downtown Line. Checking the north east line map before you travel helps you choose the change with the fewest steps.
- Do not confuse Woodleigh with Serangoon. The two stations are next to each other, and some riders get off at Woodleigh by mistake when they mean to reach the Serangoon interchange.
- Connect to the LRT for estate journeys. To reach homes and neighbourhoods away from the main line in Sengkang or Punggol, transfer to the Sengkang LRT at Sengkang or the Punggol LRT at Punggol.
- Look out for the station art. The North East Line was Singapore’s first Art-in-Transit line, and 19 artworks are displayed across its stations, so it is worth a look while you wait for your train.
The purple line MRT at a glance
The North East Line is the purple line on the Singapore MRT map. It runs 17 stations from HarbourFront, the gateway to Sentosa, up through Chinatown, Little India and Serangoon to Punggol and Punggol Coast. It was the first fully driverless heavy rail line in the world when it opened in 2003, and it is operated by SBS Transit rather than SMRT, which is why its signs and announcements look a little different from the red and green lines. Station codes start with NE.
Frequently asked questions
Which MRT line is the purple line?
The purple line is the North East Line (NEL), with station codes NE1 HarbourFront to NE18 Punggol Coast. It is run by SBS Transit and is fully automated.
Who operates the North East Line?
The North East Line is operated by SBS Transit. SBS Transit also runs the Downtown Line and the Sengkang and Punggol LRT networks.
How many stations does the North East Line have?
The North East Line has 17 stations, running from HarbourFront (NE1) in the south-west to Punggol Coast (NE18) in the north-east. Punggol Coast, the newest station, opened on 10 December 2024.
When did Punggol Coast station open?
Punggol Coast (NE18) opened on 10 December 2024, extending the North East Line beyond Punggol and making it the current northern terminus of the line.
How do I pay for my fare on the North East Line?
You can pay with an EZ-Link or SimplyGo card, a contactless bank card, or a mobile wallet. Visitors can also use the Singapore Tourist Pass, which covers unlimited rides on the MRT and bus network.
Which lines can I transfer to at HarbourFront station?
At HarbourFront you can transfer between the North East Line (NE1) and the Circle Line (CC29). With the Circle Line now a full loop since July 2026, HarbourFront connects you to stations all the way around to Marina Bay.
Want the whole route on one page? Open the North East Line map to see every station and interchange along the line.