The permanent closure of Changi Airport's Terminal 1 (T1) carpark came into effect without a hitch yesterday, after kinks were ironed out in a trial closure last month.
There was no sign of confusion when The Straits Times visited the airport between 8am and 10.30am. Traffic was smooth at both T1 and Terminal 2 (T2), where a replacement carpark was located. Drivers interviewed said the road signs and lane markings were clear and that it was easy to find their way around.
Taxi driver Abdul Razak, 56, said he found his way to the new carpark easily, despite taking a wrong turn.
"I didn't know the carpark will be closed from today and so just blindly took my usual route to the old T1 carpark," he said.
"But luckily, the marshal told me how to get back on the right route and the signs after that were all very clear."
More signs were put up in the new T1 carpark at T2 to guide drivers from T2 back to T1, after feedback during the dry run from drivers left confused about where to go after parking their cars at T2.
The new T1 carpark has orange arrows on the walls and shoe-shaped floor markings to lead drivers to the lift lobby. There, they were further directed to Level Two to take the Skytrain or shuttle service back to T1.
The open-air carpark at T1, which had 850 spaces, was closed to make way for Project Jewel, a new multi-storey complex that will house retail outlets, a hotel and airport operations, and an underground carpark with 2,500 spaces. It is expected to be ready in 2018.
Meanwhile, signs and shuttle services have been put in place to ensure a seamless journey for drivers going to T1.
Drivers heading towards T1 will be directed by orange road signs and lane markings to the new T1 carpark at T2 and the new T1 arrival pick-up point outside its arrival hall.
Some 50 marshals have also been deployed at both terminals.
After parking at the new T1 carpark, drivers heading to T1 should go to the T2 departure hall, where they can take the Skytrain or a new shuttle bus service to T1 that runs from noon to 9pm daily.
The boarding point of the free shuttle is at Door 1 of the T2 departure hall, beside the Krispy Kreme outlet.
