[6] The station opened on 16 December 1989 when the EWL extends to Pasir Ris[7][8][9] as announced by then-first deputy prime minister Goh Chok Tong on 4 November that year.

[10][11] The opening of the station was generally welcomed by residents in Tampines and Pasir Ris, who hoped for shorter travelling times to their workplaces in the city via the MRT.

[13] In 2009, enhanced bicycle parking facilities were installed at Tampines station (alongside Yishun and Pasir Ris) as part of a pilot programme.

These improvements include greater flexibility to lock the bicycles at either the frame or the wheels and basic shelters.

[27] To prevent disruption to the operations of the bus interchange and the shops, a paid link was not constructed between the DTL and EWL stations.

[30] On 8 August 2003, a westbound train lost traction current at 10.13 pm and stalled along the track between Pasir Ris and Tampines.

However, 21 minutes later, the traction current tripped again, this time in-between the same two stations in both directions and SMRT staff only managed to restore the eastbound side before the end of operating hours.

During both delays, eastbound services terminated at Tampines and alternative transport was provided for affected passengers.

[31] On 21 January 2008, a maintenance works train which was carrying out works between Tampines and Simei (westbound) broke down, causing a disruption from 5.28 am to 12.45 pm on both the eastbound and westbound services from Pasir Ris and Tanah Merah, affecting 57,000 commuters.

SMRT also mobilised more than 300 staff for on-site recovery, crowd management, dissemination of information and preparation for resumption of service.

[43] When it opened, it had the station code of E11[44] before being changed to the current alphanumeric style in August 2001 as a part of a system-wide campaign to cater to the expanding MRT System.

[54] As part of the MRT system's Art-in-Transit Programme,[b] The Big Round & The Tall Long by Studio Juju is an artwork consisting of two huge shapes – the Big Round and the Tall Long – on the opposite walls of the DTL platforms.

The Big Round, which is 7 metres (23 ft) in diameter, is "stripped away" from the excessiveness of "form and details", creating a singular, expressive geometry.

[55] These shapes, enhanced by the reflecting benches on the platforms,[57] act as wayfinders for passengers travelling around the station.

[59] Particularly, the Masjid Darul Ghufran mural depicts a fusion of the mosque during the 1990's with its azure blue panelling and in the present.

[60] The process behind the artwork involved Lee visiting Tampines to take walks near the mural's subjects, mingling with the residents, and participate in activities.