10 Facts About The MRT Shutdown You Might Want To Know

2017-11-22 , 11:49 am

We’ve experienced multiple MRT breakdowns. We’ve also experienced a MRT collision recently. Heck, just a few days back, one MRT train was even “struck” by lightning (well, technically, no lah but you get the idea). With all these things happening at the moment, what else could go wrong, right?

Now, ladies and gentlemen, please get ready for…
MRT shutdown!

Only that this time around, it was actually intentional.
Hence, in light of recent events, here are 10 facts you might want to know about the MRT shutdown.

1. Stations will be closed. A lot of stations

The disruption of services between Gul Circle and Joo Koon was already bad enough, and that was just one station.

This time, we are talking about 17 stations on the East-West Line alone.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, SMRT and LTA have announced that 17 East-West Line MRT stations (Tiong Bahru to Tuas Link) and 2 North-South Line MRT stations (Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak) will be fully closed on 10th Dec and 17th Dec.

2. It’s for engineering hours

Of course, the shutdowns do have a purpose. If not you think people so free shutdown for fun meh?
It’s to allow for extended engineering hours so that engineers could speed up the re-signalling works on the East-West Line.

3. Stations will be closing earlier

From 8th Dec to 31st Dec, the aforementioned stations on the East-West Line and North-South Line will also end their train services earlier at 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

These stations will also open later on Saturdays and Sundays at 8 am.

(Good luck to all of you who like to stay out late)

4. Why Bukit Batok and Gombak? Not EW Line meh?

Don’t look at me like that lah, I didn’t make the rules.

Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak will be affected as well since Jurong East is a heavily used intersection for the East-West Line and North-South Line.

Geez, talk about collateral damage!

5. Re-signalling will be accelerated

With all these inconveniences, there better be some good news, right?

With help from the extended engineering hours, re-signalling works on the East-West Line will be accelerated. Projected completion date will be June 2018 instead of December 2018!

Works on the North-South Line will be completed by next month, according to schedule.

6. There are still future plans to reduce service hours and shutdown stations

Whoa, relax man. Rome wasn’t built in a day, you know.

In the first half of 2018, there will also be reduced train service hours along other stretches of East-West Line and North-South Line. If you think about it, it does make sense, you know. Gotta ensure the entire stretch is up and running, right?

7. Alternatives will be provided

For those of you affected by the changes, shuttle bus services will also be provided during affected hours. Well, notice that I didn’t say “free” shuttle bus services. You’ll still have to pay for the services (following the rail fare structure).

8. The shutdown do benefit people… in the long run

Once the re-signalling works have been completed, train services will be able to run seamlessly on the new Communications-based train control (CBTC) system.

“Overall reliability” will also be improved, according to the joint statement.

9. Why do so in December and not asap?

Eh, no need so kanchiong lah. People also need to give heads up and give others time to prepare right?

Mr Ngien Hoon Ping, LTA’s chief executive, also added that December was a good period to “execute these plans” as many Singaporeans will not be in the country.

(Not me, I’ll still be working for the whole of December)

10. Confirmation on cause of Joo Koon collision

I’m supposed to tell you 10 facts, but I think I just ran out of things to talk about. So, here’s a bonus point.

The collision was caused by an “unexpected disabling of a protective feature” on the first train that was hit. Apparently, a second protective “bubble” was supposed to replace the first one that was disabled.

However, that failed too when the train passed by a “trackside device” which has yet to be modified for the new CBTC system.

Well, time for an obligatory conclusion.

So, from the confirmed cause of the Joo Koon incident, I guess you guys already knew how important it is for us to get the re-signalling works done as soon as possible.

Unless you want to be like one of the 38 injured people lah (I swear the number increases every time I read a new article).

Maybe I should get slightly injured just so I can go on a holiday in December. Hmm.

Since you’re here, why not watch a video about an NTU student who went all out to impress his crush, only to end up in…tragedy? Here, watch it and do remember to share it (and also subscribe to Goody Feed YouTube channel)!

This article was first published on goodyfeed.com