Paya Lebar MRT Station

Paya Lebar MRT Station is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) interchange station on the East West Line and the Circle Line in Singapore. It is the first station in Singapore that serves both an elevated line (East West Line) and an underground line (Circle Line).

History

Paya Lebar MRT Station opened on 4 November 1989, serving the East West Line. On 17 April 2010, the Circle Line platforms opened, shortening the travelling time from the station to Bishan where commuters can transfer to the North South Line, to 13 minutes.

Location

Despite its name, Paya Lebar MRT Station is not located within or near the district of Paya Lebar. Instead, the station actually serves the subzone of Geylang East, which is a part of the district of Geylang. This confusion has also led to the misnaming of several nearby buildings and establishments close to the proximity of the station, such as Paya Lebar Square for example. Also located close to the station is the headquarters of Singapore Post.

Platform screen doors

Paya Lebar

Paya Lebar is an urban planning area and district located in the north-eastern part of Singapore.

Etymology and history

Paya Lebar was a large, swampy area close to the Kallang River, hence its name. Paya means "swamp" and lebar means "wide" in Malay. This was an extensive and notorious squatter district, whose inhabitants engage in cultivating market produce, including pig and poultry rearing.

One of the first persons to colonise this area was Richard Owen Norris (died 1905), who bought part of the area in 1865 and lived here with his family.

The admiralty wireless station was in this district in 1915.

In 1955, Singapore International Airport (commonly referred to as "Paya Lebar Airport") was opened and became the area's chief landmark, along with a number of housing estates, schools and factories.

Paya Lebar Street was officially named in 1958, while Paya Lebar Way was named in 1972.

References