Yishun Integrated Transport Hub to open by 2019

Commuters in the north can soon look forward to the new Yishun Integrated Transport Hub (ITH), which will open by 2019.

The Land Transport Authority said the new transport hub will comprise an air-conditioned bus interchange and an underpass linking the bus interchange to the nearby Yishun MRT station for more convenient and seamless transfers, as well as barrier free facilities.

Commuters can also look forward to more retail and commercial facilities, as the hub will be connected to a shopping mall.

The new transport hub joins seven existing ones located in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Boon Lay, Clementi, Serangoon, Sengkang, and Toa Payoh. Two more hubs are slated to open at Joo Koon and Bukit Panjang in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Yishun's new transport hub will have features such as LED lighting for the concourse and bus-park/driveway areas and a water-cooled air-conditioning system in accordance with the Building Construction Authority's Green Mark Gold Plus standard.

Bus drivers and staff can look forward to a a larger staff lounge, dedicated staff toilets, kitchen facilities and a staff canteen.

To make way for construction of the new Yishun Bus Interchange on the existing site, the existing bus interchange will be temporarily relocated to an adjacent site at the junction of Yishun Central and Yishun Central 1. Operations at the temporary Yishun Bus Interchange will start on 14 March 2015.

With 19 public bus services1 operating out of the interchange, LTA will provide enhanced facilities such as a larger concourse, more commercial and retail areas, and better facilities for drivers. There are also fully sheltered connections between the bus interchange and Yishun MRT station. Temporary bus stops will be provided to continue to facilitate transfers to the Yishun MRT station.

Details of changes to bus routes as a result of the move to the temporary Yishun Bus Interchange are available at www.smrt.com.sg and www.sbstransit.com.sg.

cynloh@sph.com.sg