Mr Yeo Cheow Tong, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, opened the Expo MRT station today. With the opening of the station, Singapore MRT Limited (SMRT) launched a shuttle service between Tanah Merah and Expo stations.

The Expo station, together with the Changi Airport station, lies on the Changi Airport MRT Extension, which branches off from the existing East-West MRT Line at Tanah Merah station. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) began constructing the extension in early 1999 and targets to complete it by early 2002.

The decision to open the Expo station earlier, in 2001, is to provide commuters with a more convenient public transport service to the Singapore Expo Complex and the developments in the vicinity.

Said Minister Yeo in his opening address: "The Expo station is set to become an important transport node as well as the gateway to the surrounding developments."

The opening of Expo station will also bolster Singapore?s position as an international trading centre, as it would make Singapore Expo more attractive and accessible to conference and event organisers and exhibitors. "This further enhances the attractiveness of the Singapore Expo, and will contribute to the growth of the exhibition industry," he said.

The station stands out from the other MRT stations with its unique architecture and design. Designed by British architectural firm, Foster and Partners, the futuristic look of the station symbolises the thriving world class city of the 21^st century. With a spacious and column-free platform, 17 faregates and three escalator points to facilitate the flow of people, the Expo station is well equipped to cater to the large number of visitors expected.