Hong Kong MTR Broke Down Again, Once Again Due to ‘Signal Problems’

Singapore might have 99 problems, but it seems that…

A train delay ain’t one.

Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. Wasn’t SMRT, Singapore’s primary train transport service provider, facing like 10,001 disruptions a day just not so long ago?

But hey, that’s the key point: it’s in the past. Right now, SMRT’s putting in some real effort into its train services, and while we might not consciously realise it, the truth’s that it’s working out.

Which is pretty great news for us, in all honesty.

But if you need further reason to feel relieved in our local train system, just take a look over at Hong Kong.

Trust me; you’ll love our train efficiency after seeing the situation there.

After all, don’t we always compare our MRT to the MTR in Hong Kong?

What happened?

Just yesterday (25 October), passengers on Hong Kong’s metro system encountered disruption in services for the second time this month, when trains experienced delay issues on two rail lines.

According to rail operator MTR’s announcements on early Thursday (25 Oct) morning, train services for the Tseung Kwan O Line and Kwun Tong Line were slowly starting again after a short suspension and delay.

Meanwhile, train services for Po Lam station were initially suspended due to power supply problems. Shuttle buses were scheduled for affected passengers.

And in a classic example of the word phrase, “Everything’s a chain reaction”, services for other stations along the Tseung Kwan O Line were delayed as a result. Damn.

Even services on Kwun Tong Line were delayed (due to signal problems), as train frequency was compromised to one every 10 minutes.

Second one in less than ten days

On 16 October, the MTR experienced arguably its worst breakdown ever, when the signalling system on four major lines, Island, Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong and Tseung Kwan O, ceased operations shortly before rush hour, creating chaos at stations and disrupting thousands of commuters.

That is because, well, people weren’t used to breakdowns (welcome to reality, whereby breakdowns are supposed to be as often as a needy girlfriend’s breakdowns).

The glitch, as it’s determined, delayed trains and extended journeys by as long as 40 minutes. That’s like 10 minutes more than the rough travel time from Jurong East to Orchard, for your information.

The following day, MTR Corporation’s chief engineer, Mr Tony Lee Kar-yun, said the 6-hour disruption was actually due to a case of rogue computers operating without orders. While the details are unclear, initial investigations have unearthed an uncontrolled transfer of information between computers as the reason behind the breakdown.

The exact reason behind the system failure, however, is still unclear.

Though I’m not 101% certain, Skynet from The Terminator shouldn’t be responsible.

So count your blessings folks

Because Hong Kong’s essentially going through what we went through barely a year ago.

Torture.

However, much like the mandatory National service guys have to go through, it seems that we have ORD’d from the train disruptions.

Although in all honesty, I would prefer not having any reservist periods in this case.

#justsaying