IMPACT OF MRT ON ORCHARD ROAD SHOPPING AREA

Abstract

With the implementation of the MRT, the overall accessibility offered by public transport has been enhanced, allowing greater mobility amongst shoppers and an increase in the range of shopping opportunities. The Orchard Road is the premier retail belt in Singapore. It is being served by three MRT stations, namely Orchard, Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut. Since the MRT system serves to connect the various major housing estates to the prime shopping belt, it enhances the accessibility of the shopping centres around the stations, making it more convenient for the shoppers to travel to the area with reduced travel time and cost. This study attempts to examine the effects of the MRT on the shopping patterns and retailing in the Orchard shopping belt. The findings indicate that the Orchard retail belt, well established as the entertainment and shopping hub, enjoys enhanced accessibility and popularity served by the MRT, although the effective business improvement of the retailers is found to be minimal.