The station opened on 5 November 1988 as part of the MRT system extension to Jurong. The station was initially the terminus of the Branch line and became the terminus of the NSL after the NSL was merged with the Branch line. An additional track and platforms was added when the station went through upgrades in 2010 as part of the Jurong East Modification Project (JEMP). In 2028, Jurong East station will become an interchange with the Jurong Region Line (JRL). Jurong East station is also one of the busiest MRT stations in western Singapore.