The SMRT East-West Line Changi Airport Extension (CAE) is a shuttle on a branch line from Changi Airport to Expo and Tanah Merah Interchange, operating at most times throughout the day. The first train from Changi Airport to Tanah Merah Interchange to departs reasonably early at 5.31am, allowing for a connection to the second East-West Line train of the day to the city, Joo Koon and Tuas Link.
With my early/late flight arrival from Bangkok, depending on how you look at it, I decided to wait for the first CAE train to get home since I wasn’t in any rush this early in the morning.
The LED information of the first train arriving into Changi Airport for Tanah Merah. The first CAE train out of Changi Airport is formed by the first train in to Changi Airport from Tanah Merah.
The full CAE first train and last train information as posted on the sign by the Changi Airport station entrance at Terminal 2 Departure Hall.
Do note that the first CAE train from Changi Airport to Tanah Merah departs at 5.31am on Mondays to Saturdays only. On Sundays and Public Holidays, the first CAE train from Changi Airport to Tanah Merah departs at 5.59am.
Heading down the long escalator to the station.
Heading down again from the T2-T3 Linkbridge level to the station.
The concourse of Changi Airport MRT Station is level with the platform.
Waiting for the first CAE train to arrive.
The interior of the SMRT KHI EMU serving on this first CAE westbound train service to Tanah Merah Interchange.
I don’t like the standing area though.
The route map of the East-West Line CAE as shown on the SMRT Active Route-map and Information System (STARiS).
Making a brief stop at Expo Interchange. Change here for the Downtown Line to the city, Chinatown and Bukit Panjang.
At Tanah Merah Interchange, alight at Platform B on the left for East-West Line train service to the city, Joo Koon and Tuas Link.
It is a simple cross-platform transfer to Platform B from the middle platform which the CAE uses.
It’s not too long a wait for the second East-West Line train to Tuas Link.
The overly-simplified East-West Line route map on the half-height platform screen doors (HHPSD) at Platform B. Do note that this is not an express East-West Line service to City Hall and Tuas Link.
Boarding the second train to Tuas Link at 5.41am.
The route map of the East-West Line as shown on the STARiS.
The passenger load is rather healthy for the second westbound East-West Line train of the day this early in the morning, with lots of passengers transferring to this train from the first CAE train from Changi Airport. With the second East-West Line train, most if not all public transport will be up by the time this train arrives at your destination, so you can connect to other modes of public transport with ease from this East-West Line train onwards.