SINGAPORE - The new Downtown Line 3 opened its doors to the public on Saturday (Oct 21) with 16 additional stations to service commuters.

Many residents are enjoying the two-day opportunity to travel for free between all 34 stations along the whole Downtown Line.

Mr Shahirwan Nur, 19, told The Straits Times that he had spent Friday night in a Chinatown cafe just to catch the first train at around 6am.

Calling himself a train-enthusiast, the full-time national serviceman said he felt very excited when he took the train from Chinatown station, to the Singapore Expo and back to Fort Canning.

He said: "I wanted to take a look at all the new stations and observe their features as every station is unique. Fort Canning station is so beautiful and the colour scheme is green which seems to reflect Fort Canning nearby.

"But my favourite, so far, is Bendemeer station with its art pieces and purple walls. The opening of the new Downtown Line 3 will also give commuters alternative routes to take on the MRT in case there are any breakdowns."

Production technician Ong E. L., 55, told ST that he woke up at 5.50am with his wife just to catch an early train and observe the new stations.

Bendemeer station seems to be a crowd-favourite as Mr Ong, his wife, Madam Lim M. L., 56, and about 15 other commuters were seen taking numerous snapshots of its interior.

Mr Ong, who lives near Keat Hong LRT station in Bukit Panjang, said that before the opening of the new Downtown Line 3, it used to take him about an hour to go to the city during peak hours.

Smiling, he said: "I timed myself. With this new line, it took me about 30 minutes to go downtown."

Downtown Line 3 stretches 21km across the eastern side of the island.

The new stations include Fort Canning, Geylang Bahru, Bedok North, Tampines West and Tampines East.