Forest Hills Condo

[mantrix]

Thought I'll post a thread about this condo - am always looking for bargains in far north.

This is a 128-unit small development with balinese facade, and has been around for 6 years. Next to Nee Soon Camp (ulu) and the only condo in the Springleaf vicinity (ulu)

I chanced upon this cos was looking at condos that are not affected by the new NSE and did some checking - realised asking prices have not increased that much from original buying price (cos ulu)

Cons:

1) Ulu

2) No good schools nearby (in fact, no schools at all within 1km!!)

3) No amenities (unless 7-11 counts which in right in front of doorstep)

4) Next to nee soon camp (I'll just put that as a con)

Potential:

1) Still cheap (500++ to 600psf nia, and it's not EC)

2) Ulu (condos that shoot up the most are in previously ulu locations ) and quiet location (close to Mandai reservoir so air quite good)

3) Future thomson line will revamp the area

4) Nearby condos about to TOP asking for 1K++ psf

So granted, it is not a fantastic place to reside or even invest right now as you'll have a hard time finding tenants, but I foresee this place to have potential upside in the next couple of years. Springleaf has always been quiet with a charm of its own and their landed prices have increased significantly - I think it is only a matter of time for forest hills to catch up. Better make my prediction here first so can look back in 1,2 years' time.

more units are up for grabs now, maybe cos the owners are upgrading or their kids are close to primary school age. Comments anyone (especially from residents of Springleaf)?

[zzz1]

Not sure if you notice, every morning when the camp step up the security check, the road leading to transit road is jam up and the resident in the condo is affected.
I had viewed it during when was launched, the unit look a bit small but that is subjective.

There a speculation that future Thomson line MRT will have a station near hong lim area…Anyway still a speculation and don bet too much on it.

Overall the environment within, I felt it is nice, and lot of greenry…
That IMO

[mantrix]

Not sure if you notice, every morning when the camp step up the security check, the road leading to transit road is jam up and the resident in the condo is affected.
I had viewed it during when was launched, the unit look a bit small but that is subjective.

There a speculation that future Thomson line MRT will have a station near hong lim area…Anyway still a speculation and don bet too much on it.

Overall the environment within, I felt it is nice, and lot of greenry…
That IMO

Yeah I noticed that last time when the camp was designated for BMT but hasn't that quietened down a tad now that all BMT is in Tekong?

I do know there's gonna be the Thomson line running through for sure , just the exact location of the station is open for speculation.

What I like about it is that it is so ulu that things can only get better, not worse

Still on lookout for any firesales from this place

[kingkong1984]

LH. By MRT up, 10 years gone? U want to push, have to find positive points.

[Regulators]

i would be wary of condos beside army camps, barracks or even mindef as in the case of glendale. hard to increase plot ratio in future.

Thought I'll post a thread about this condo - am always looking for bargains in far north.

This is a 128-unit small development with balinese facade, and has been around for 6 years. Next to Nee Soon Camp (ulu) and the only condo in the Springleaf vicinity (ulu)

I chanced upon this cos was looking at condos that are not affected by the new NSE and did some checking - realised asking prices have not increased that much from original buying price (cos ulu)

Cons:

1) Ulu

2) No good schools nearby (in fact, no schools at all within 1km!!)

3) No amenities (unless 7-11 counts which in right in front of doorstep)

4) Next to nee soon camp (I'll just put that as a con)

Potential:

1) Still cheap (500++ to 600psf nia, and it's not EC)

2) Ulu (condos that shoot up the most are in previously ulu locations ) and quiet location (close to Mandai reservoir so air quite good)

3) Future thomson line will revamp the area

4) Nearby condos about to TOP asking for 1K++ psf

So granted, it is not a fantastic place to reside or even invest right now as you'll have a hard time finding tenants, but I foresee this place to have potential upside in the next couple of years. Springleaf has always been quiet with a charm of its own and their landed prices have increased significantly - I think it is only a matter of time for forest hills to catch up. Better make my prediction here first so can look back in 1,2 years' time.

more units are up for grabs now, maybe cos the owners are upgrading or their kids are close to primary school age. Comments anyone (especially from residents of Springleaf)?

[mantrix]

LH. By MRT up, 10 years gone? U want to push, have to find positive points.

MRT is up by 2018 (by then condo will be 14 yrs old) but you dun need to wait till then. Once the TL is announced you can sell up for some cap gains already, maybe in a couple years time. Usually when MRT announced there is a jump of 10-15% in asking prices. Hold for 4 yrs just nice.

[mantrix]

i would be wary of condos beside army camps, barracks or even mindef as in the case of glendale. hard to increase plot ratio in future.

Are you talking about en-bloc? Hard here as this is a LH and not really in a strategic area (unlike D'Leedon) - future collective sale will not be this condo's selling point anyway

[kingkong1984]

MRT is up by 2018 (by then condo will be 14 yrs old) but you dun need to wait till then. Once the TL is announced you can sell up for some cap gains already, maybe in a couple years time. Usually when MRT announced there is a jump of 10-15% in asking prices. Hold for 4 yrs just nice.

Yes, was looking at it before new SSD, now not worth it at all.

If got rental can still consider.. It's really quiet there for now.

Last investors who bought for mrt line may have to hold till mrt is up as buyers will not buy until mrt line is announced.

Your unit? Marketing it?

[mantrix]

Yes, was looking at it before new SSD, now not worth it at all.

If got rental can still consider.. It's really quiet there for now.

Last investors who bought for mrt line may have to hold till mrt is up as buyers will not buy until mrt line is announced.

Your unit? Marketing it?

No but am looking at buying a unit thr...I can hold for 4 years till SSD not valid but I will worry about rental yield since it really is too ulu - no point using own money to finance it for 4 years

Else now in far north no other condo has that much potential for price appreciation...unless Yishun Emerald or Sapphire (but buy before 8courtyard launch)

[kingkong1984]

Yup, late, should move in earlier. It's hindsight but nevertheless.

Go for FH landed next door if die die want to buy, but beware of mrt acquisitions...

[zzz1]

Yeah I noticed that last time when the camp was designated for BMT but hasn't that quietened down a tad now that all BMT is in Tekong?

I do know there's gonna be the Thomson line running through for sure , just the exact location of the station is open for speculation.

What I like about it is that it is so ulu that things can only get better, not worse

Still on lookout for any firesales from this place

It still jammed up now and then ley...

yap...i like the quiteness too... also walking distance to Ampang Yong Tao fu..., reserviour/executive driving range.

[mantrix]

It still jammed up now and then ley...

yap...i like the quiteness too... also walking distance to Ampang Yong Tao fu..., reserviour/executive driving range.

I counted - got 3 ampang yong tau hu also dunno which is real!

Yah, if road jam is gonna be a problem, see if I can catch this happening - obviously if u dun drive is good, but ulu place like that must drive liao

[Regulators]

Am pang yong tau hu apart from the size of the pieces, the taste not much dif leh. I ate a couple of times and decided to just stick to the normal yong tau hu

It still jammed up now and then ley...

yap...i like the quiteness too... also walking distance to Ampang Yong Tao fu..., reserviour/executive driving range.

[zzz1]

I counted - got 3 ampang yong tau hu also dunno which is real!

Yah, if road jam is gonna be a problem, see if I can catch this happening - obviously if u dun drive is good, but ulu place like that must drive liao

In fact none is real .
I usually eat the middle wan , plus their kaychap and duck meat is better compairing d rest.

I had tried the ampangs' at japan ampang kl. Went to the backtoilet and saw the kitchen. They were scrapping the fishmeat to make the fishball. And the bone were used to boil the soap. Oh my .... The food is superb..

[zzz1]

Am pang yong tau hu apart from the size of the pieces, the taste not much dif leh. I ate a couple of times and decided to just stick to the normal yong tau hu

The importance of ampang Yong tao Fu is the gravy and the soup that come with it which is missing there. The gravy is Just starch plaste .
If you got chance try the kl jalan ampang Yong tao Fu,is at the outer circle, aft the ampang point and in the heartland

[KarenK]

I stayed in the area for 18 years before moving out coz I got married. Even then I'm back everyday to send my son to my parents' place. Trust me, the Nee Soon Camp jam is still there although not everyday. When it happens, the jam will stretch all the way to the mandai road junction & I see army boys alighting along sembawang road to walk in. Can't imagine how it is for the forest hill resident who's rushing to go to work, or is stuck in the queue leading into transit road trying to go back coz there is no other way in

went to view the showflat when it was launched. I remember the living room & dining room were of a good size but the bedrooms were unimaginably small. I remember an agent trying to justify that the rooms "are small but of a good size". I felt like asking her a good size for who? barbie doll?

[kingkong1984]

Help a bit, buy the smallest unit and treat it as retirement home. No need to drive too. Free security outside.

[mantrix]

I stayed in the area for 18 years before moving out coz I got married. Even then I'm back everyday to send my son to my parents' place. Trust me, the Nee Soon Camp jam is still there although not everyday. When it happens, the jam will stretch all the way to the mandai road junction & I see army boys alighting along sembawang road to walk in. Can't imagine how it is for the forest hill resident who's rushing to go to work, or is stuck in the queue leading into transit road trying to go back coz there is no other way in

went to view the showflat when it was launched. I remember the living room & dining room were of a good size but the bedrooms were unimaginably small. I remember an agent trying to justify that the rooms "are small but of a good size". I felt like asking her a good size for who? barbie doll?

Aren't you the one who bought Meadows@Peirce? Would that be a better investment?

[kingkong1984]

Aren't you the one who bought Meadows@Peirce? Would that be a better investment?

Yes... She did an assets switch. You will know she wins on;
LH versus FH
Nearer to town
Nearer to hawker centre with a wider selection
Nearer to town
Nearer to park
New design
New condo
New neighbors.
Good move I would say, esp when one day both gets mrt.

[mantrix]

Yes... She did an assets switch. You will know she wins on;
LH versus FH
Nearer to town
Nearer to hawker centre with a wider selection
Nearer to town
Nearer to park
New design
New condo
New neighbors.
Good move I would say, esp when one day both gets mrt.

Forest Hills 3 bedder asking for 600psf.

Meadows at Peirce 3 bedder asking for 1100psf.

Would you be willing to pay 500psf extra for a brand-new FH condo 5 minutes drive away, despite what you said (which i don't disagree with, except for the part on new neighbors)

I think if you read her post again, she did not do any asset switch - she was living in that area, not in Forest Hills condo - so no win or lose for her (this is not about winning anyways)

My question was if that was a good investment - by which i meant what is the potential for upside. If Meadows at Peirce can sell at 1500psf in 4 years' time then it makes sense (especially if Forest Hills, over same time-frame, can only sell at 700-800psf)

ps: Please dun tell me each condo has it strengths and weaknesses and buy if i am eager, hold if i am not, only time will tell etc hor

[kingkong1984]

Ok, now we are talking.

Don't talk about Karen, she can comment if she wants.

As to your question, buying for self stay is irrational. Guys don't get it, stupid bag costing more than 10K. Guys would rather spend it on wine costing more than 10K. So my point is, self consumption cannot be a good investment decision because emotions are involved. Different value placed.

I do agree forest hills more attractive for investment but the point remains. Now is not the time due to SSD. Later also as Priced in. Only those who entered before SSD can be considered as making good investment decisions. Hong Heng mansions across the street and FH is a better candidate over Forrest Hills (FH)

[KarenK]

I'm surprised that I'm still remembered as I hardly hang around this forum

Yes, I bought Meadows @ Peirce but it was for owner-occupation and long term. In the longterm, any pty will be worth more than it is now. I bought it as it is 5mins drive away from my parents who are the caregivers for my kid.

Having the thomson line & NSE nearby are both bonuses for my pty

I'm merely giving my 2 cents' worth wrt Forest Hill as I am familiar with the area. Frankly it might not be too bad for tenancy since it's near the bus-stop and a tenant will likely not drive so the morning jam to nee soon camp will not affect your tenant too much. However personally I will not stay there as the jam outside nee soon camp will drive me nuts

[kingkong1984]

Yes, u r remembered. Long term is a winner.
Must hope that there no emergencies else 24hr alert.
Very big army camp, a lot of people can gather there.

[mantrix]

Ok, now we are talking.

Don't talk about Karen, she can comment if she wants.

As to your question, buying for self stay is irrational. Guys don't get it, stupid bag costing more than 10K. Guys would rather spend it on wine costing more than 10K. So my point is, self consumption cannot be a good investment decision because emotions are involved. Different value placed.

I do agree forest hills more attractive for investment but the point remains. Now is not the time due to SSD. Later also as Priced in. Only those who entered before SSD can be considered as making good investment decisions. Hong Heng mansions across the street and FH is a better candidate over Forrest Hills (FH)

Yup that was my point all along. By the way I will never buy bags or wine past 1K, let alone 10. Most I spent on a bottle of wine was 42 bucks and it was very good already.

My objective of starting the thread was to gauge if Forest Hills was a good investment, not own stay - thought I was quite clear on that? Anyway I agree those who entered before SSD stands to gain but the thing is, SSD rules apply to all across the board for those who buy now - any guarantee it will go away? Even if it does, due to inflation, prices will still have increased in a couple of years time - see what I mean? Rather than hang back and hope for it to go away, one might as well buy now if the investment is relatively safe and in 4 years time maybe sell (and this is where rental yield comes in - it has to cover the instalments at least)

So far only one person who has stayed there previously has commented - I am not very confident that if I buy and rent out the tenant will be happy taking bus - most likely he will drive. Assuming I buy a 3 bedder at 800K I need to rent out at 2.8K to cover - again not confident here. Guess gotta monitor and see - but among all condos in the north this is by far one of the most undervalued (was also looking at castle green but after NSE's impact can forget liao)

[mantrix]

I'm surprised that I'm still remembered as I hardly hang around this forum

Yes, I bought Meadows @ Peirce but it was for owner-occupation and long term. In the longterm, any pty will be worth more than it is now. I bought it as it is 5mins drive away from my parents who are the caregivers for my kid.

Having the thomson line & NSE nearby are both bonuses for my pty

I'm merely giving my 2 cents' worth wrt Forest Hill as I am familiar with the area. Frankly it might not be too bad for tenancy since it's near the bus-stop and a tenant will likely not drive so the morning jam to nee soon camp will not affect your tenant too much. However personally I will not stay there as the jam outside nee soon camp will drive me nuts

Yes congratz on your purchase, it was at a real good price

Also, when one buys a prop for self-occupation it is always worth as long as your heart feels right

[kingkong1984]

For rental, people like it new and near amenities.
Any reason why people go for it there? Seletaris is better than this and quite popular. Unless it is real cheap...

SSD will be removed later.

[ecimbew]

Government to pump in $20 billion to improve MRT network

The government will spend another 20 billion dollars to build two more MRT Lines and extend the current MRT network.

In the second part of the Land Transport Review, Transport Minister Raymond Lim announced the changes in the rail industry, which includes doubling the current rail network.

Mr Lim says that by 2020, the aim is to allow commuters in the city to reach an MRT station within a five minute walk.

The two new MRT lines which will be fully underground are :

An 18-station Thomson Line, which will travel northwards through the Central Business District , up through Ang Mo Kio to Woodlands.

It will connect estates such as Sin Ming, Kebun Baru, Thomson and Kim Seng.

There will also be a Eastern Region Line which will add another 12 stations to the MRT network.

This line will run from Marina Bay to Changi, passing by Tanjong Rhu, Marine Parade, Siglap, Bedok South and Upper East Coast.

In addition, the existing lines will also be extended.

The North-South line, which currently ends at the Marina Bay, will run another kilometre southwards to serve the upcoming developments in the southern Marina Bay area.

The East-West line will also be extended by another 14 kilometres to Tuas.

The Land Transport Authority says that in all, the rail network in 2020 will be able to carry 3 times more journeys than today.

There are also plans to open stages of the Circle Line and Downtown line earlier than previously scheduled.

Stage 3 of the circle line which runs in the north, will open by the middle of next year, instead of 2010.

Residents of Bedok Reservoir and Tampines will also benefit as the Downtown line Stage 3 will be brought forward by 2 years, to open in 2016.

The first stage of the Downtown line is expected to open in five years' time.








Jan 25, 2008
Govt to accelerate MRT expansion
Two new lines to double network length to 278km by 2020; first stage of Circle Line to open next year
By Christopher Tan

IN what could well be Singapore's most aggressive public transport infrastructure plans ever, the Government is spending $40 billion to double the MRT network by 2020.

By then, Singapore will have 278km of rail link, from 138km today. Its network density will rise from 31km per million residents today to 51km per million - surpassing what Hong Kong and Tokyo has today and comparable to current densities in places like New York and London.

Announcing these targets on Friday as part of a sweeping Land Transport Review, Transport Minister Raymond Lim said two new lines will be built - barely nine months after he gave the go-ahead to the $12 billion 40km Downtown Line.

One, the Thomson Line, runs to the left of and almost parallel to the North-east Line. It is 27km long and links Marina Bay in the south to Woodlands in the north. To be completed in 2018, it will have 18 stations, in places such as Ang Mo Kio, Kebun Baru, Sin Ming, Thomson and Kim Seng.

The other is the Eastern Region Line, which is a southern loop of the Downtown Line's eastern wing. It is 21km long and links Marina Bay to Changi. This line has 12 stops in places such as Tanjong Rhu, Siglap, Bedok South and Marine Parade, and is scheduled for completion in 2020.

'We expect our rail network to carry three times as many journeys, rising from today's 1.4 million a day to 4.6 million in 2020,' Mr Lim said.

Existing MRT lines will also be lengthened. The North South Line will dip towards Marina South, with one station, and should be ready by 2015. Elsewhere, the East West Line will go west to serve the Tuas Industrial Estate. Also to be ready in 2015, it is 14km long and dotted with five stations.

More immediately though, Mr Lim said residents can look forward to riding one stage of the Circle Line from middle of next year. This stage is a five-station section linking Bartley to Marymount, with interchanges at Serangoon and Bishan.

Completion of the Downtown Line has also been brought forward by two years to 2016.

The accelerated rail plans are attributable to a new financing framework for rail infrastructure. Instead of assessing the viability of new lines in isolation, the Government will now evaluate its contribution to the entire network. As such, future MRT projects could be implemented 'a few years earlier... so long as the entire rail network remains viable'.

Like changes he announced for buses last week, the minister said the Government will introduce more competition to the rail industry. Operating contracts will be 10 to 15 years long, instead of the current 30-year tenures. This is to keep the operators on their toes so that they keep service standards high.

In line with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's promise that no one would be left behind, accessibility to wheelchairs and prams will likewise be speeded up. By 2010, access to MRT stations, taxi and bus shelters will be barrier free within a 400m radius. Because there are 4,500 bus-stops here, practically all walkways will be accessible to the handicapped, elderly and those using baby prams.

And by 2010, 40 per cent of public buses will be wheelchair accessible, with the rest to follow by 2020.

The minister took the opportunity to announce other transport-related initiatives during a visit to the Kim Chuan MRT Depot on Friday morning. These include:

• July: A single telephone number for booking a cab.

• March: Six-month trial for foldable bicycles to be allowed onboard MRT trains during off-peak periods.

• Next year: Better bicycle parking facilities at MRT stations, starting with Tampines and Pasir Ris.

• March: Road signs warning motorists of cyclists in popular bicycle routes.

• 2014: All taxis to meet Euro IV emission standards.

• 2020: All buses to meet Euro IV emission standards.

On what commuters can look forward to in the coming years, Mr Lim said: 'By 2020, people who live or work in the city and those who shop and find enjoyment there will be able to reach an MRT station within 400 metres on average, a mere five-minute walk.

'Travelling across the city will be a breeze, because we will have a dense network of MRT stations like what we see in London and New York today.'

He added: 'With a vast rail network and a bus network that works in partnership with rail, commuters will have fast and reliable connections that bring them where they want to go. A gamut of transport choices including premium buses, taxis and cycling among others, will enable different needs to be met.'

The Minister said as society evolves and people's needs change, Singapore's land transport offerings must keep pace as well as encompass the diversity of needs and aspirations.

'To achieve this, we will plan our land transport system around people, not the other way round. This then will be our touchstone in the planning of land transport policies going forward,' he promised.



SPEECH BY MR RAYMOND LIM,MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT, AT THE VISIT TO KIM CHUAN DEPOT, 25 JANUARY 2008, 9.00 AM

DOUBLING OUR RAIL NETWORK



1 It is my pleasure to join you here this morning at the Kim Chuan Depot.



2 Last week, you heard about our major initiatives to improve bus services. Today, I will share with you the exciting plans that we have for the rail network, and how we will meet the transport needs of diverse groups of people.



3 Let me start by telling you what commuters can look forward to in the future.



4 By 2020, people who live or work in the city and those who shop and find enjoyment there will be able to reach an MRT station within 400m on average, a mere 5-minute walk. Travelling across the city will be a breeze, because we will have a dense network of MRT stations like what we see in London and New York today.



5 Outside the city, many more areas that are not served by the MRT now, such as Sin Ming, Marine Parade and Tuas will get high speed access to the city.



6 Commuters will also enjoy a more comfortable ride and a shorter wait during peak periods on the existing lines, as additional train trips will be added to increase capacity.



7 I will touch on the new rail lines first.




New Rail Lines to be Built



Thomson Line and Eastern Region Line



8 From the heart of Marina Bay, a new MRT line, the Thomson Line, will travel northwards, through the Central Business District and up through Ang Mo Kio all the way to Woodlands connecting estates such as Sin Ming, Kebun Baru, Thomson and Kim Seng which do not now have a direct MRT link. From Marina Bay, this line would connect with another new MRT line, the Eastern Region Line, which will serve the residential estates of Tanjong Rhu, Marine Parade, Siglap, Bedok South and Upper East Coast, and link them to Changi in the east. The Thomson Line or TSL and the Eastern Region Line or ERL together will add 48km to our rail network. The Government has given the go-ahead for the TSL to be built by 2018, and the ERL by 2020.



9 The TSL and ERL will shorten journey times and significantly enhance the connectivity of the rail network. Commuters staying in Sin Ming can save 20 minutes out of their current 45-minute journey to the city, whereas a trip from Marine Parade to Marina Bay on the ERL would take about 20 minutes, almost as fast as travelling by car.



New extensions to North-South and East-West Lines



10 We will also add extensions to the North-South and East-West Lines, which should be completed around 2015.



11 The North-South Line now ends at the Marina Bay station in the south. We will extend the line 1-km southwards to serve upcoming developments in the southern Marina Bay area, such as the new cruise terminal in Marina South.



12 The East-West Line will be extended by another 14km into Tuas. Today, a commuter who lives in Clementi and takes the MRT to work in Tuas has to alight at Boon Lay station and then take a 35-minute bus ride to get to his workplace. With the new Tuas Extension that brings the East-West line right into the heart of Tuas, more of the journey will be on the high speed MRT, reducing his journey time by 20 minutes.



Doubling of rail network by 2020



13 These new rail lines will cost us some $20 billion to build, over and above the $20 billion that government has already committed for the on-going Boon Lay Extension (BLE), the Circle Line (CCL) and the Downtown Line (DTL). The government has decided that all these rail projects are a necessary investment to ensure that our transport infrastructure meets the needs of a growing population and an expanding economy.



14 Together with the rail lines now under construction, the new rail lines will double our network from today’s 138km to 278km in 2020. We expect our rail network to carry 3 times as many journeys, rising from today’s 1.4 million a day to 4.6 million in 2020.



15 Many more people will be served by the MRT, and they will be able to use it to get to many more places. The density of our rail network will increase by 60%, from 31 to 51 km per million population by 2020, comparable to cities like New York and London, and surpassing Hong Kong and Tokyo.



A More Comfortable Ride on Existing Lines



16 Let me turn to the existing rail lines. Train ridership is increasing steadily and commuters have said that they are feeling the squeeze, especially on the North-South and East-West lines. Now, we are far from the crowded conditions of Tokyo trains, which Mr Norman Chong, a Singaporean who has lived in Tokyo for 10 years, describes as being “so packed that bodies are crushed against one another.” He calls it his “regular morning massage”. Other MRT users have likened the average peak period loading on our trains to an off-peak crowd in Shanghai.



17 However, we are not about to let conditions deteriorate and commuters need not worry about getting morning massages any time soon. LTA closely monitors the passenger loading on our trains. To ensure a more comfortable ride for commuters, LTA has worked with the train operators to run 93 additional train trips per week during the morning and evening periods from February 2008 on the North-South East-West and the North-East lines. For commuters, this will mean less crowded trains and a reduction in waiting time by about 10-15% during peak hours.



18 Beyond that, we will also expand the carrying capacity of the North-South and East-West Lines. We will be working with SMRT to purchase more trains and address infrastructure constraints so that peak hour train frequencies can be increased. When completed in about 4 years’ time, carrying capacity will be increased by a further 15%, and commuters can look forward to shorter peak waiting times of 2 minutes, compared to the current 2.5 to 4.5 minutes at stretches that experience heavy loading, and an even more comfortable ride.




A Shorter Wait for the DTL and CCL



19 Many people are counting down to the day they can use the Circle Line (CCL). Others have asked whether we can speed up the building of the Downtown Line (DTL). We have taken to heart such feedback and worked hard with the Ministry of Finance and other partners such as URA, to see how we can bring forward the opening of these lines, to make public transport a choice mode.



DTL 3 to be brought forward by 2 years



20 To benefit residents of Bedok Reservoir and Tampines, we will bring forward the completion of DTL 3 by 2 years, from 2018 to 2016. The completion date of DTL 3 will now be just one year after that of DTL Stage 2 serving the Bukit Timah corridor. As we speed up the development of the DTL, LTA will continue to maintain stringent safety and quality standards in construction.



Earlier opening of Circle Line in 2009



21 Likewise, we will bring forward the Circle Line which was due to open from 2010 onwards. We will now open Circle Line Stage 3 in mid-2009 to benefit residents in the north and north-east. This CCL segment connects Bishan station on the North-South Line and Serangoon station on NEL and opens up multiple new connections for residents in the north and north-east. With the CCL 3, Serangoon residents will take only 25 minutes to get to Yishun by transferring to the North-South line at Bishan station, compared to 45 minutes by bus or by taking the NEL all the way to Dhoby Ghaut before transferring to the North-South line. As for residents staying in Marymount, Lorong Chuan and Bartley, they will enjoy more seamless and direct travel to the city and other parts once CCL 3 commences operation.



More Circle Line stations will be opened



22 Other than bringing forward CCL 3, we will also open more stations on the Circle Line. This will enhance the reach and connectivity of the Circle Line, and allow many more people to benefit from the MRT. We had earlier decided to build the Thomson and West Coast stations as shell stations and fit them out only when there are sufficient developments around them. As the pace of development around these stations is picking up, LTA will now fit out these stations and open them together with the other CCL stations. To enhance the accessibility of the Marina Bay area to the rest of the island, LTA will also build and open the Marina Bay station as part of the CCL extension beyond Bayfront station in 2012.



23 With all these developments that I have highlighted, commuters can look forward to new extensions or stages of new lines opening almost every other year until 2020.



Platform Screen Doors for Above-ground Stations



24 The safety of our rail commuters is key. The incidence of people entering the train track area of above-ground MRT stations has risen from an average of 16 cases a year to 30 in 2006 and 31 in 2007. Besides endangering lives, such incidents disrupt train services and inconvenience many commuters, especially during peak hours.



25 To enhance safety and reduce the incidence of track intrusions, LTA has been studying the feasibility of installing platform screen doors on above-ground MRT stations. With platform screen doors being adopted in more transit systems worldwide, their cost has fallen, making them more cost-effective now.



26 We will therefore install platform screen doors at all above-ground MRT stations, so that commuters can have safer and more reliable train services. LTA will carry out a pilot at Yishun, Jurong East and Pasir Ris stations in 2009 to ensure that operational considerations are met, before rolling this out to all stations by 2012.



Rail Financing and Industry Frameworks to be Strengthened



27 Besides the slew of initiatives I have described - extending the rail network, opening MRT lines earlier and giving commuters more comfortable and safer rides - we will also strengthen the financing framework to facilitate rail expansion. At the same time, we will introduce greater contestability in the rail industry to ensure efficient rail operations and keep costs competitive.



Review financing framework to support rail expansion



28 From now till 2020 and beyond, we are rolling out ambitious rail expansion plans to meet the travel needs of a growing population.



29 As we expand the rail network, future lines will be more expensive to build, operate and maintain as they will be mostly underground. New lines will also need time to build up their ridership, compared to mature lines which serve the more densely built-up corridors. Hence, to keep up the pace of rail expansion, MOT will work with the Ministry of Finance to refine the financing framework. The framework should allow for a network approach, instead of a line approach, to be adopted in evaluating new lines. This would potentially enable future new lines to be implemented a few years earlier than otherwise, so long as the entire rail network remains viable.



Greater contestability in the rail industry



30 We will also strengthen the rail industry framework to enhance efficiency and maintain cost competitiveness.



31 We currently have two rail operators. This enables the regulator to benchmark the operators against each other in terms of service standards and cost efficiency.



32 There have been suggestions to merge the separate rail operations to reap greater economies of scale. Others see value in retaining the existing structure, as competition between the operators helps improve efficiency and service standards.



33 Following an extensive study, LTA’s assessment is that the key issue here is not so much whether there are one or two operators but that the threat of competition must be real to the incumbents. Further, competition must not compromise the integration of the network as the seamless working of the whole network is what gives value to the commuter.



34 Going forward, we will make the rail industry more contestable, to drive efficiency and enhance service standards for commuters. A key step in enhancing contestability is to have shorter operating licences, say 10 to 15 years, compared to the existing 30-year licence periods. Operators will compete for the right to operate rail services. They will have to meet service obligations or risk being replaced at the end of their term. LTA will study the implementation issues carefully with relevant stakeholders.

[ecimbew]

You guys should read and follow skyscraper forum too because that's where these contractors who are looking for worthy tenders will talk.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...574137&page=65

[ecimbew]

If going by what these contractors say is true then caldecott station (at to toa payoh rise) is likely to be an interchange for circle line and Thomson line, braddell hill estate has en bloc potential. Stevens road near st Joseph will have a station. It will end at marina bay. Orchard might be another interchange.

[mantrix]

For rental, people like it new and near amenities.
Any reason why people go for it there? Seletaris is better than this and quite popular. Unless it is real cheap...

SSD will be removed later.

I have rented to expats working in the north, sembawang shipyard / seletar area - some of them like modern facade, some like traditional style (why else do you think those shops in tanglin selling oriental decorations doing so well?) - and some like the place to be laid-back.

What's your experience on Seletaris? Upside of seletaris is gone (last time at 400psf++) thanks to Canberra Residence. But because it is freehold there will still be people banking on the place. But with NSE going to seriously affect that place in 2 years it will be harder to find tenants, much less buyers. Can watch out for fire-sales though.

Yes, and there is issue of price - 2.5K to 2.8K for 3 bedder is not hard to find - there are those who only have this budget and since they can expense the cab fare to work everyday, they dun need to stay in a condo next to mrt that costs them 3.5K a month.

Amenities for Forest Hills are not fantastic, but decent - 7-11 at the doorstep, a number of eateries and a 'supermart' walking distance away so not too bad.

Thomson line being all underground makes this worth considering.