Rating Singapore MRT Stations, Part 1: Serangoon 4/10, City Hall 9/10

Serangoon, 4/10: why is it always so crowded

Serangoon is where the North East Line and the Circle Line meet, with NEX sitting directly on top. That combination means everyone changing lines and everyone going to the mall funnel through the same escalators at the same time. At peak hours the transfer level looks like a concert exit. It is a well connected station and it still got a 4, because connectivity does not help when you cannot get to the platform.

Our comments were split: north-east residents saying "finally someone said it", and everyone else saying at least it has a mall. Both true. If you can, use the Circle Line exit on the Upper Serangoon side and cut through instead of going up into NEX.

Dhoby Ghaut 8/10 and City Hall 9/10: the two that just work

Dhoby Ghaut connects three lines, North South, North East and Circle, which is why it scored an 8: it literally gets you everywhere. It loses points for the walk between the NEL and Circle platforms, which is long enough that you can miss a train you saw on the board.

City Hall got the 9 and the most agreement in the comments. Two lines on one platform level, cross-platform transfer, and a sheltered walk to Raffles City, CityLink, Suntec and Marina Square without ever seeing the sky. That underground walk to Suntec is the reason it beats Dhoby Ghaut. Our full S-tier to C-tier MRT list put Dhoby Ghaut in S, so this is a rare disagreement with ourselves.

Redhill 5/10 and Paya Lebar 6/10

Redhill is the pink station. Every column and wall on the platform is that exact shade, which is why the internet keeps calling it the As If It's Your Last set, Singapore edition. It is one of the original 1980s East West Line stations, it is pretty, and there is very little around it once you tap out. A 5 for looks alone.

Paya Lebar has the Circle Line and East West Line interchange, PLQ and Paya Lebar Square, and is packed on weekdays and weekends. Weekday crowds come from the offices, weekend crowds come from Geylang Serai, so there is no quiet time. A 6, saved by the fact that there is a lot worth walking to.