Artfully Designed: The “Invisible” MRT Station Features That Enhance Our Rides

Promenade station incorporates kueh-inspired patterns in “Earthcake”, an artwork by Ana Prvački. Photo: ZKang123 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to overlook the small details that make a big difference in our daily routines. Singapore's MRT system is a lifeline for many commuters, offering a fast and efficient way to navigate the city.

While we may be familiar with the basic amenities of these stations, several citizen-centric features might go unnoticed.

Have you noticed, for example, that for all MRT stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), the lift buttons are back-lit in blue until they are pressed? They then turn a contrasting red, helping to verify that the correct button has been pressed.

“Lift interiors are mostly in stainless steel, providing little colour contrast. For some people, it can be challenging to identify the right buttons and ascertain whether the button has actually been activated. Backlit buttons that change colour when pressed provide assurance to commuters that they have pressed the right button,” says Ms Tan Swee Lin, Deputy Director (Architecture) at the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The MRT system is designed to be inclusive and accessible to people of all backgrounds and abilities. To better serve commuters, Swee Lin’s team actively works with Social Service Agencies (SSAs) and commuters to understand the needs of commuters with different abilities.

Accessibility for All

Several stations such as Bishan, Bedok, Outram Park and Chinatown have escalator safety reminders in dialects like Hokkien and Cantonese. This caters to the older population that frequents these stations, allowing them to feel comfortable navigating the stations and injecting a sense of familiarity.

For newer stations on the TEL, exits are labelled with numbers instead of letters. Numbers are universally recognised by people with different primary languages and this makes navigation easier for a diverse range of commuters.

With newer stations having more exits, it is also easier for commuters to look for a numbered exit when signs show a range of numbers, compared to letters.

Commuters can more easily locate an exit when signs show a range of numbers, compared to letters (e.g., Exit 3 from a sign that reads “Exit 1-7” vs Exit C from “Exit A-G”.)

These numbered signages on the TEL is one of Swee Lin’s favourite new features. Besides the new labelling system, the overhead signs use larger icons and font sizes, and have higher colour contrast and less clutter. The signage has received positive feedback from the SSAs who joined the LTA on station walk-throughs before the new stations opened.

“The signs enable the SSA communities to navigate more independently on the MRT network,” says Swee Lin.

For those with visual impairments, the TEL stations have Braille and embossed text incorporated onto the handrails of public staircases and ramps. This tactile information ensures that people with visual impairment can navigate the stations with ease and confidence.

Platform seats at the TEL stations also have armrests for commuters who need help getting up from the seat, and backrests for more support. The seats are designed with bright, contrasting colours and materials to help busy commuters spot them easily and prevent accidents.

Enhancing Wayfinding

Navigating the sprawling MRT network can be a challenge, especially for tourists or those unfamiliar with the area.

To make navigation more intuitive, MRT stations strategically incorporate colour to shape the identity of each station. This colour-coding allows commuters to more easily confirm their destination, arrange meet-up points or simply navigate the station more efficiently.

Serangoon station (right) has four different-coloured exits, making it easier to identify the correct one. Woodlands South station (top and bottom right) also has exits with artwork in four different colours. Meanwhile, Toa Payoh station’s iconic yellow walls (centre) serve as an additional identifier for commuters. Photos: ZKang123 (CC BY-SA 4.0), LTA Art in Transit

Public Art in Transit

But the use of colour isn't the only way to enhance wayfinding in MRT stations.

Integrated art and design elements also play a role in helping commuters orientate themselves within MRT stations. Commuters often use the artworks to create their own landmarks and mental maps, so they can navigate the station with ease, Swee Lin says.

At the Little India station, near LTA’s headquarters, a commuter was heard telling her friend that she looks for the “elephant” (stylised animal paintings in Memoirs of the Past by S. Chandrasekaran) to get to the correct escalators for her route.

Memoirs of the Past by S. Chandrasekaran at Little India station (left) and Interchange by Milenko & Delia Prvački (right). Photos: LTA Art in Transit

Dhoby Ghaut station features Interchange by Milenko & Delia Prvački, which Swee Lin enjoys as it also serves as a wayfinding cue. “You know you’re on the right track towards the North-South Line, from North-East Line platform, when you walk past Milenko’s mosaic wall and then Delia’s ceramic wall.”

Clarke Quay station (left) uses seafaring symbols of tongkang (bumboat) eyes that subtly lead commuters to essential points, such as elevators, fare gates and escalators. At Dhoby Ghaut station (right), a bright orange wall stands out near the platforms to the Circle Line, matching the line colour. Photos: Tuber, LTA Art in Transit

Over at Ubi station, sketches of tapioca leaves, flowers, seeds and roots can be found on the station floor. These subtle art elements guide the flow of traffic toward key areas like elevators and staircases.

Similarly, Promenade station incorporates kueh-inspired patterns in “Earthcake”, an artwork by Ana Prvački. Besides beautifying the space and honouring the area’s geology, the various layers also help commuters differentiate the different platforms.

Art that Roots the Community

Beyond aesthetics, public art also serves to highlight the heritage and spirit of the area, contributing to the community’s shared history while adding vibrancy to the daily commute.

For example:

• At Outram Park station, "Memories" by Wang Lu Sheng reflects the area's history as a Chinese immigrant enclave, through motifs of Chinese opera.

• Pasir Panjang station features mock movie posters that promote a fictional film about Lieutenant Adnan Saidi, a World War II hero who fought in the area.

At Farrer Road station (left), "Art Lineage" by Erzan Bin Adam involved 300 community members in its creation, representing the spirit of the community. At Outram Park station (right), Chinese opera motifs reflect the area’s history as Chinese immigrant enclave. Photos: LTA Art in Transit

Enjoying the Journey

While our daily commutes may sometimes feel routine, Singapore's MRT system offers hidden treasures that make our journeys more comfortable, accessible and enjoyable.

To learn more about these features, the LTA has several publications available – find these online or at public libraries. You can also arrange for walking tours to get up close with the art.

So the next time you hop on the MRT, take a moment to appreciate these thoughtful features that often go unnoticed, and let them enhance your daily commute.

Text by Siti Maziah Masramli and Erin Liam.

Photos by Land Transport Authority, ZKang123 (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Tuber.