Everything About the Massive MRT Disruption That is Known As Of Now

Just when you thought commuting couldn’t get any worse, now you’ve got train breakdowns, heavy rain, and, if you’re a PSLE parent, the added stress of worrying if your kid will even make it to their exam on time.  

If you’re battling the long queues, confusing instructions and time itself to get to work today, then you’re probably asking yourself, “How did this mess even start, and when is it going to end?”

Well, here’s a quick breakdown of the latest MRT breakdown as it stretches into Day 2. 

And unfortunately, it’s been revealed that there might be a “Day 3”, too.

What Caused this Green Line Chaos?

It all started with one train.

On 25 September at 9 am, an eastbound train on the East-West Line (EWL) developed a fault near Clementi MRT station and had to be withdrawn. 

It was a first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries train, the type that’s been in service for over 35 years. 

As the faulty train was being moved to the Ulu Pandan Depot, a defective part (the axle box) dropped and caused the wheels of the undercarriage to come off the rail. 

These wheels then hit important track equipment, including point machines and the third rail. 

Since the third rail supplies power to the trains, this damage led to a power trip that caused another train near Clementi MRT to stall, leaving 850 commuters stranded. 

Like a scene straight out of Train to Busan, the SMRT staff led the commuters outside and onto the tracks, back towards Clementi. 

@rajib1rAfter long time stucked inside the train, Finally evacuated the passengers by Clementi MRT Station.♬ original sound – MANISH DHUNGEL 🫶❤️

While no one was injured, this power trip then caused a complete stop to train services in nine EWL stations: Boon Lay, Lakeside, Chinese Garden, Jurong East, Clementi, Dover, Buona Vista, Commonwealth, and Queenstown. 

The damage was too severe to fix quickly, with the breakdown extending to the evening rush and further. SMRT and LTA were quick to jump in with free bus services, train shuttles and alternative MRT map routes. 

While our current Minister of Transport, Mr Chee Hong Tat, is away in Beijing for a Sustainability conference, Dr Amy Khor has stepped in as acting minister to oversee the situation and help commuters find their way home safely. 

Confusion and Crowds

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a power trip cause an MRT breakdown. Just a few months ago, a lightning strike caused a power trip that stopped train services from Choa Chu Kang to Woodlands (North-South Line). While it only lasted over two hours, the breakdown still caused a massive crowd to build up and made for a terrible end to a Monday.

This time around, the crowds were equally as bad as you’d expect. 

The EWL is one of the busiest MRT lines and long queues formed at key interchange stations like Jurong East, where commuters had to switch to shuttle trains or bus bridging services. 

Other than the long waits, several commuters who spoke to The Straits Times were frustrated at the confusing instructions and long waits.  

Commuters reported waits of up to 30 minutes to board the buses.

Crowds were especially chaotic at key interchange stations like Buona Vista and Jurong East, where queues for bus bridging services stretched over 100m. 

Despite the confusion, SMRT staff and police officers were on the ground managing the situation, ensuring the crowds moved steadily. 

While it’s easy to rage at the inconvenience, it’s worth remembering that the LTA has been steadily working to improve safety, and sometimes, things are just beyond control. 

Meanwhile, even in this wet weather, the SMRT engineers and techs are working around the clock to get everything back on track. Pun intended. 

So, what now?

As of now, train service between Jurong East and Buona Vista aren’t available. It’s unknown when service will resume.

If you need to get to work or school and live somewhere along the nine EWL stations affected, here are your options: 

1. Shuttle Train Services: SMRT has activated two shuttle train routes, running from Boon Lay to Jurong East and from Queenstown to Buona Vista. These trains run at intervals of about 10 minutes in both directions.
2. Bridging Bus Services: Free bus bridging services are available between Jurong East and Buona Vista. Buses are at every affected station to help commuters continue their journeys.
3. Free Regular Bus Services: Free regular bus services are also running between Boon Lay and Queenstown for commuters. 
4. Alternative MRT Maps: SMRT has drawn up some alternative train routes for you. If you’re travelling to the city centre, consider switching to the North-South Line (NSL) at Jurong East or Woodlands to reach the city. For those heading further east, the Circle Line (CCL) can be accessed from Buona Vista.
5. Stay Updated: For real-time updates, just check in on SMRT and LTA’s facebook pages. .

Timeline of Events

25 September 2024, Wednesday

• 9:00 am: A train travelling Eastbound on the East-West Line (EWL) develops a fault near Clementi MRT station. Smoke is detected, leading to a removal process towards the Ulu Pandan depot.
• 9:25 am: The faulty train caused a power trip as it was being withdrawn, stalling another train and affecting services from Boon Lay to Queenstown. 850 commuters had to disembark and walk along the tracks. 
• 9:52 am: SMRT makes an official announcement. Train services between Boon Lay and Queenstown are suspended. Free regular and bridging buses are deployed to help commuters navigate the disruption. 
• 2:43 pm: LTA and SMRT inform the public that services will remain suspended between Boon Lay and Queenstown for the rest of the day. Shuttle trains start operating from Boon Lay to Jurong East and from Queenstown to Buona Vista, every 10 minutes. 
• 5:00 pm: Crowds build up at key interchange stations like Jurong East and Buona Vista as commuters try to catch the shuttle trains and buses. Police officers and SMRT staff are on-site to manage the situation, which remains orderly but slow-moving.
• 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm: Commuters face long waits for buses, with queues stretching over 100m at some stations, particularly Jurong East and Buona Vista. 
• 9:20pm: Engineers from LTA and SMRT continue working overnight to assess and repair the damage to the tracks and power systems. Commuters are advised to prepare for no train services between Jurong East and Buona Vista on Sept 26. Shuttle train services, free regular bus services and bridging bus services will continue to run. LTA and Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) announce that PSLE kids don’t have to worry about being late due to the train breakdown. They’ll get to sit the full exam when they reach the centre.

26 September 2024, Thursday

• SMRT updates that there will be no train service today between Jurong East & Buona Vista. Shuttle train services, free regular bus services and bridging bus services will be available. 
•  Heavy rains make the situation worse, with SMRT staff going out of their way to assist commuters, especially those with special needs. Early morning crowds and long queues form at Buona Vista. 
• In the latest update, it’s announced that the disruption between Jurong East and Buona Vista stations could persist for days and SMRT and LTA are aiming to “partially restore services” on 27 September.