CNA : Woodlands residents & businesses see revival with railway station in neighbourhood

Woodlands residents & businesses see revival with railway station in neighbourhood
By Lynda Hong | Posted: 24 May 2010 2239 hrs

SINGAPORE: It's not just the leaders who're pleased with the move. Residents and businesses in Woodlands are counting on the railway station in the neighbourhood to revive the estate.

The sleepy neighbourhood at Woodlands Centre Road expects to enjoy some buzz with the railway station.

Some people expect to save time and money.

A member of the public said: "I am staying in the Bukit Timah, Choa Chu Kang area. Going to Woodlands is more convenient for me rather than going to Tanjong Pagar which is very far. Taking MRT is far, and if I drive also it will also incur ERP charges for me."

Others believe the station will bring more business.

"We expect more people to come here because here we are near the Woodlands Checkpoint,” said one man in the street.

"The train stop here is much better because here at Woodlands, there are a lot of shops unlike Tanjong Pagar, where there's nothing in town," said another member of the public.

But some businesses are worried that the shops in the area may not appeal to commuters.

One woman said: "I think there’s no air-conditioning here. If the station comes here, commuters will go back immediately. So I don't think they will stay here and shop."

As for the station at Tanjong Pagar, it will be missed.

"Tanjong Pagar is easier for us. It’s not troublesome. Besides, we are more used to it," said one man in the street.

But the station will have a special place as a conserved building. - CNA/vm

For joint statement by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak at the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat, click here.