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Power fault disrupts MRT services on North-South Line, East-West Line and Circle Line

SINGAPORE — MRT train services were disrupted by a power fault during evening rush hour on Wednesday (Oct 14) on stretches along the North South Line (NSL), East-West Line (EWL) and Circle Line (CCL). A total of 36 stations were affected.

Passengers walk along the track after the emergency doors were opened for them near Kranji MRT station on Oct 14, 2020.

Passengers walk along the track after the emergency doors were opened for them near Kranji MRT station on Oct 14, 2020.

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  • Train services on the 3 MRT lines were disrupted due to a power fault
  • Free regular bus and bridging services were made available between the affected stations
  • Services on the Circle Line resumed at 8.40pm, while those on NSL and EWL were restored at 10.35pm 
  • Scores of commuters were affected, with crowds seen waiting for bridging buses to get home  

 

SINGAPORE — MRT train services were disrupted by a power fault during evening rush hour on Wednesday (Oct 14) on stretches along the North South Line (NSL), East-West Line (EWL) and Circle Line. A total of 36 stations were affected. 

 

Operator SMRT first tweeted about the disruptions on NSL and EWL at about 7.15pm, adding that commuters should add 25 minutes to their travel time. Free regular bus and bridging services were made available between the affected stations. 

In its next few tweets, SMRT also advised commuters to avoid Jurong East MRT Station. 

The affected stretches were between the Woodlands and Jurong East stations on NSL, and between Queenstown and Gul Circle stations on EWL. 

At about 8.15pm, rail operator said that there was no train service between Serangoon and Harbour Front stations on the Circle Line. 

Alerts of train service disruptions at Paya Lebar MRT Station. Photo: Raj Nadarajan/TODAY

At 8.40pm, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Facebook that preliminary investigations indicated that the disruption was “caused by a power trip”. 

“Free bus boarding was activated at all affected stations and the frequency of regular services serving these areas was also increased,” LTA said. “Announcements were made at all MRT stations to inform commuters and information was also disseminated via LTA Traffic News, MyTransport.SG, LTA and SMRT's Twitter accounts.”

At close to 10pm, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Facebook that train service on the Circle Line was restored at 8.40pm. He noted that free bus bridging was activated shortly after the disruption, and crowds at the bus stops waiting for the bridging services were “slowly thinning out”.

“The One Transport team is doing its best to assist affected passengers. Will update further later tonight,” he added. 

Commuters queuing for the shuttle bus service towards Woodlands at Jurong East bus interchange around 10.20pm. Photo: Ili Nadhirah Mansor/TODAY

At 10.38pm, LTA said on Facebook that services on NSL and EWL resumed at 10.35pm at all stations. 

It added that the services on NSL and EWL were disrupted at around 7pm, while services on the Circle Line broke down at about 7.30pm. 

Due to the delays, SMRT “commenced safe detrainment” for passengers on NSL and EWL at 7.40pm and on the Circle Line at 8pm, LTA added.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was caused by a faulty power cable. LTA engineers are working with SMRT to carry out a full investigation into the incident.”

AFFECTED COMMUTERS

On social media, some commuters reported blackouts at Yew Tee MRT Station and Boon Lay MRT Station. 

One commuter, Mr Sean Lim, told TODAY that he was on a train heading towards Jurong East from Woodlands when the lights in the cabin went out just before it reached Yew Tee MRT Station.

When the train reached Yew Tee at around 7.15pm, the 25-year-old said that it remained stationary with the train doors left open for some time, which prompted passengers to get off the train. 

Mr Lim said that the station was completely dark when he left it. “Everything was off. The (electronic display) screens and even the (lights at the) shops,” he said. 

However, the situation was generally orderly, Mr Lim said, with SMRT staff members seen giving directions.

“I think it is mainly because people are working from home, so it wasn’t a chaotic mess (of people).” 

At the Jurong East interchange, scores of commuters were seen at about 9.20pm waiting to board shuttle buses towards Chua Chu Kang and Woodlands. 

Officials directing the commuters at Jurong East MRT Station towards the bus interchange where free shuttle buses are provided. Photo: Ili Nadhirah Mansor/TODAY

Among them was Mr Wayn, 36, who was returning home from work at Jurong Island. Typically, he takes a bus from his workplace to Jurong East bus interchange, where he takes about another 15 minutes to reach home in Chua Chu Kang.

On Tuesday, the process technician, who declined to give his full name, said that he reached Jurong East bus interchange at about 8pm but about 1.5 hours later, he was still waiting to get home due to the long queues for the buses. 

There were no train services at Jurong East MRT Station at about 9.30pm after a power fault occurred. Photo: Ili Nadhirah Mansor/TODAY

When a TODAY reporter was at the Promenade interchange station of the Circle Line at about 7.40pm, announcements were made to advise commuters to take the Downtown Line instead to continue their journey. 

At the time, commuters were seen heading towards the station from the street level because there were no instructions provided to them at the station’s entrance. 

Mr Ethan Wong, 23, was travelling along the Downtown Line and stopped at the Promenade MRT Station to switch to the Circle Line. He said that he found out about the disruption only when he arrived at the station. “I didn’t hear anything about it while on the train.” 

Related topics

SMRT power fault transport mrt disruption breakdown

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