Woodlands MRT station is Singapore’s first to be certified eco-friendly under the Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Green Mark scheme.
The revamped station, featuring a host of new eco-friendly features, was inaugurated on Monday, with National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan and SMRT’s top brass attending the event.
And public transport operator SMRT is studying the feasibility of getting the certification for another two or three stations.
The MRT station received the “Gold” mark under BCA’s environmental rating system.
The station has recycling bins as standard issue, energy-efficient lighting that cuts down power consumption, and toilets installed with water-saving fittings.
Walking through the station, the first thing commuters will realise is just how well-ventilated it is.
Jet fans help keep commuters cool and cuts down on the need for air-conditioning, while wide open spaces also give an airy feeling to the place.
Where air-conditioning is needed, thermostats are set at 25 degrees Celsius to strike a balance between comfort and efficient use of electricity.
Energy-saving devices in escalators also reduce energy consumption by up to 20 per cent.
SMRT is looking beyond just train stations to reduce its carbon footprint.
Desmond Kuek, SMRT’s chief executive, said: “(For) our new overhaul of trains, we’re exploring with a new propulsion system, which will reduce the use of energy as well as the noise level of our trains.
“So all these measures and many more that we are considering at this point in time, is part of SMRT’s agenda.”
In addition, about half of Woodlands MRT station’s 32 retail tenants are considered “eco-shops”, under a certification programme developed by the Singapore Environment Council and SMRT.
Jose Raymond, executive director of Singapore Environment Council, said: “Going green will help retailers, or shop-owners, to save on their annual costs because they will use products which are environmentally-friendly. They will also save on energy efficiency and water management.”
SMRT said Woodlands MRT station is likely to see lower utilities bills, thanks to its eco-friendly features.
The target is for all tenants within its premises to go green by mid-2014.
