If you are new to the LRT system in Singapore, you may be quite overwhelmed when you reach either the Sengkang or Punggol LRT stations.
Since there are 4 different routes that can be taken from the same station, which train should you be taking?
Here’s a guide to help you out:
How does the Punggol LRT work?
The Punggol LRT consists of 2 separate lines (East and West), where the Punggol LRT station is in the centre. The East and West lines are two loops that range from PE1-7 and PW1-7 respectively, and trains can go either in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction from the Punggol LRT station.
Here’s how the Punggol LRT line looks:
The Punggol LRT station is in the middle, and there are 2 loops, the East and West loops, which will bring you to different stations.
Since it is a loop on both sides, the train can either go in the clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. As such, there are 4 possible directions that you can go from the Punggol LRT station:
| A | West Loop (Outer) | PTC (Punggol) → PW7 (Soo Teck)→ PW1 (Sam Kee) → PTC (Punggol) |
| B | West Loop (Inner) | PTC (Punggol) → PW1 (Sam Kee) → PW7 (Soo Teck) → PTC (Punggol) |
| C | East Loop (Outer) | PTC (Punggol) → PE7 (Damai) → PE1 (Cove) → PTC (Punggol) |
| D | East Loop (Inner) | PTC (Punggol) → PE1 (Cove) → PE7 (Damai) → PTC (Punggol) |
The outer paths will go in the clockwise direction, while the inner paths go in the anti-clockwise direction.
Depending on the station that you intend to go to, there will be a direction that is more preferable to take for you.
Otherwise, you may ‘waste’ time by going one entire round before reaching your intended stop!
The Punggol LRT station does not tell you the direction each train is going
The main reason why the Punggol LRT is so confusing is that the station does not explicitly tell you which direction the train is going. This is because there are 4 different directions that you can go.
As such, you will need to find the best route by yourself to reach your intended destination.
Here is a recommended guide on the best direction to take to give you the most direct route to your destination:
| Destination | Recommended Route |
|---|---|
| Soo Teck (PW7) Nibong (PW6) Sumang (PW5) | West Loop Outer (PTC → PW7 → PW1 → PTC) |
| Sam Kee (PW1) Punggol Point (PW3) | West Loop Inner (PTC → PW1 → PW7 → PTC) |
| Samudera (PW4) | Doesn’t matter (Center of the loop) |
| Damai (PE7) Oasis (PE6) Kadaloor (PE5) | East Loop Outer (PTC → PE7 → PE1 → PTC) |
| Cove (PE1) Meridian (PE2) Coral Edge (PE3) | East Loop Inner (PTC → PE1 → PE7 → PTC) |
| Riviera (PE4) | Doesn’t matter (Center of the loop) |
Since Samudera and Riviera are the centres of each loop, it will not matter whether you are taking the inner or outer paths.
How does the Sengkang LRT work?
The Sengkang LRT consists of 2 separate lines (East and West), where the Sengkang LRT station is in the centre. The East and West lines are two loops that range from SE1-5 and SW1-8 respectively, and trains can go either in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction from the Sengkang LRT station.
Here’s how the Sengkang LRT line looks:
The Sengkang LRT station is in the middle, and there are 2 loops, the East and West loops, which will bring you to different stations.
Since it is a loop on both sides, the train can either go in the clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. As such, there are 4 possible directions that you can go from the Sengkang LRT station:
| A | West Loop (Outer) | STC (Sengkang) → SW8 (Renjong) → SW1 (Cheng Lim) → STC (Sengkang) |
| B | West Loop (Inner) | STC (Sengkang) → SW1 (Cheng Lim) → SW8 (Renjong) → STC (Sengkang) |
| C | East Loop (Outer) | STC (Sengkang) → SE1 (Compassvale) → SE5 (Ranggung) → STC (Sengkang) |
| D | East Loop (Inner) | STC (Sengkang) → SE5 (Ranggung) → SE1 (Compassvale) → STC (Sengkang) |
The outer paths will go in the clockwise direction, while the inner paths go in the anti-clockwise direction.
Depending on the station that you intend to go to, there will be a direction that is more preferable to take for you.
Otherwise, you may ‘waste’ time by going one entire round before reaching your intended stop!
The Sengkang LRT station does not tell you the direction each train is going
The main reason why the Sengkang LRT is so confusing is that the station does not explicitly tell you which direction the train is going. This is because there are 4 different directions that you can go.
As such, you will need to find the best route by yourself to reach your intended destination.
Here is a recommended guide on the best direction to take to give you the most direct route to your destination:
| Destination | Recommended Route |
|---|---|
| Renjong (SW8) Tongkang (SW7) Layar (SW6) Fernvale (SW5) | West Loop Outer (STC → SW8 → SW1 → STC) |
| Thanggam (SW4) Kupang (SW3) Farmway (SW2) Cheng Lim (SW1) | West Loop Inner (STC → SW1 → SW8 → STC) |
| Compassvale (SE1) Rumbia (SE2) | East Loop Outer (STC → SE1 → SE5 → STC) |
| Ranggung (SE5) Kangkar (SE4) | East Loop Inner (STC → SE5 → SE1 → STC) |
| Bakau (SE3) | Doesn’t matter (Center of the loop) |
Since Bakau is at the centre of the East Loop, it will not matter which direction you are taking. However, the West Loop does not have any centre point!
Conclusion
While both LRT lines may seem confusing, here are some key points about the LRT lines in Sengkang and Punggol:
- There are 2 separate loops: East and West
- Each loop can go either clockwise or anti-clockwise (for a total of 4 different directions)
One way you can tell which direction a train is going by looking at which is the next station it is heading to.
After that, you can use the tables above to see which is the optimal route for you to take, depending on your destination!
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