New CRL Stations Near Hougang: Defu, Serangoon North MRT and Tavistock
Where the new Serangoon North, Tavistock and Defu MRT stations on the Cross Island Line will be, what they serve, how they differ from Serangoon station, and what they mean for Hougang.
When the Cross Island Line (CRL) opens its first phase, three brand-new stations will sit right next to Hougang: Defu to the east, and Serangoon North and Tavistock to the west. People are already searching for “Serangoon North MRT”, often because they confuse it with the existing Serangoon interchange. This guide explains where each new station will be, who it serves, and what it means for Hougang residents and for buyers looking at LinkTown Residences (Hougang Central Residences) above Hougang MRT.
Where the three stations fit on CRL Phase 1
CRL Phase 1 has 12 stations from Aviation Park in the east to Bright Hill in the west. Hougang is in the middle of the line. Our station-by-station guide to CRL Phase 1 covers all 12; this page zooms in on Hougang’s immediate neighbours.
| Code | Station | Stops from Hougang | Interchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR6 | Tampines North | 2 east | – |
| CR7 | Defu | 1 east | – |
| CR8 | Hougang | – | North-East Line (NE14) |
| CR9 | Serangoon North | 1 west | – |
| CR10 | Tavistock | 2 west | – |
| CR11 | Ang Mo Kio | 3 west | North-South Line |
Station codes and order as published by LTA. Stop counts are not journey times.
Serangoon North MRT station
Where it will be: LTA describes Serangoon North station as sitting under the busy dual lanes of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 and the Yio Chu Kang Road flyover. It is near the junctions of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 with Serangoon North Avenue 1 and Avenue 3, on the boundary between the Serangoon and Hougang planning areas.
Who it serves: the Serangoon North housing estate and nearby private homes, schools and community facilities. Today many of these homes rely on buses to reach an MRT station, so this is a meaningful change for the area.
Not to be confused with Serangoon MRT. Serangoon station (NE12/CC13) is the existing North-East Line and Circle Line interchange next to NEX. Serangoon North is a separate new CRL station further north. From Hougang today you reach Serangoon in two stops on the NEL; after Phase 1 opens, Serangoon North will be one stop away on the CRL.
What it means for Hougang: once Serangoon North MRT opens, it is a short, direct hop west without going via the NEL. Families in Hougang with schools, relatives or activities in Serangoon North could find trips simpler than a bus ride.
Tavistock MRT station
Where it will be: under Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 at the junction of Tavistock Avenue and Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2. LTA notes it is surrounded by residential and commercial properties.
Who it serves: homes on the edge of the Serangoon Gardens area, the Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2 workplaces, and nearby institutions. For many of these residents, the nearest train station today is some distance away.
What it means for Hougang: two stops from Hougang puts the Serangoon Gardens side within easier reach. For food lovers, it adds another way to get towards the Serangoon Gardens area; see our Kovan and Serangoon Gardens guide. One more stop gets you to Ang Mo Kio for the North-South Line.
Defu MRT station
Where it will be: along Tampines Road near Defu Avenue 2, within the Hougang planning area.
Who it serves: mainly the Defu industrial area and businesses near Tampines Road. It is primarily a station for workers and firms rather than a new residential hub.
What it means for Hougang: one stop east of Hougang, Defu gives people who work in the industrial estate a train option. For most Hougang residents, it is the first stop on the way to Tampines North (two stops) and Pasir Ris (three stops), where you can change to the East-West Line.
Why these stations matter for LinkTown Residences
LinkTown Residences is planned with a direct link to Hougang MRT. When Phase 1 opens, that station becomes an interchange between the NEL and the CRL. The three new neighbouring stations make the CRL useful for short local trips, not just long cross-island journeys.
- West: Serangoon North (1 stop), Tavistock (2), Ang Mo Kio (3, North-South Line), Bright Hill (5, Thomson-East Coast Line).
- East: Defu (1 stop), Tampines North (2), Pasir Ris (3, East-West Line).
- City: still direct on the NEL to Dhoby Ghaut, Outram Park and HarbourFront.
See our CRL and Hougang interchange guide for the bigger picture, and the commute guide for routes before and after the CRL.
Will new stations lift nearby home values?
New MRT stations are often discussed as a boost for nearby property, and it is easy to see why: a station within walking distance saves time every day and widens the pool of future buyers and tenants. But the effect is not automatic, and it is rarely instant.
- Much of the expectation may already be priced in by the time a station opens, because the CRL alignment was announced years ago.
- Walking distance matters more than the station name. A home five minutes from an exit is in a different position from one fifteen minutes away. Exit locations are still to be confirmed.
- Interchanges usually matter more than single-line stops. Hougang gains a second line; Serangoon North, Tavistock and Defu remain single-line stations on the CRL.
- Construction years can be disruptive for homes right next to the works, with road diversions and noise until the stations are complete.
Once LTA publishes exit locations, measure the walk from any address you are considering on OneMap rather than relying on straight-line distances in adverts.
Timeline and what is still unknown
- Opening date. LTA targets CRL Phase 1 for around 2030. It was originally planned earlier and was pushed back, partly due to pandemic-related construction restrictions. Treat 2030 as a target.
- Exits and entrances. The exact exit locations for each station, and how they link to bus stops and walkways, will be confirmed by LTA closer to opening.
- How the Hougang CRL platforms connect to LinkTown Residences and the new bus interchange has not been announced.
LinkTown Residences is expected to be completed around 2030/2031, close to the CRL target. Neither date is fixed. Check the location page for what is within reach today.
If a two-line interchange at your doorstep is on your checklist, register your interest for updates on LinkTown Residences as the launch, expected in early 2027, approaches.
Station locations and codes are based on LTA’s published CRL information and contract announcements; final exits and opening dates are set by LTA. Information as at Sep 2026. Published by an independent licensed salesperson, not the developer.
