Some things just never change, despite the new year. Recurring track signaling faults hit the East-West Line this morning, causing repeated train service delays between Tanah Merah and Changi Airport MRT stations.
Start of 2018 and no improvement from SMRT 😒
— أيشورا (@NurAishura) January 1, 2018
As early as 5:49am today, SMRT alerted commuters of a half an hour delay in train services between the two MRT stations, with bridging bus services launched for stranded commuters. The transport operator expected services to resume normally at 6:20am, however, so the bulk of the morning peak hour commuters believed they didn’t have to worry.
[EWL]: Due to a track signalling fault, pls add 30mins train travel time btwn #ChangiAirport and #TanahMerah. Free regular bus are available between #Tanah Merah and #Changi Airport.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) January 1, 2018
[EWL] UPDATE: Svc expected to resume at 06:20 AM.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) January 1, 2018
Alas, 6:20am came and went with delays continuing to plague the train line. It was only at 7:17am that SMRT announced the fault was cleared, though it would still mean an additional 10-minute delay.
[EWL] UPDATE: Pls add 20mins train travel time btwn #TanahMerah and #ChangiAirport. We are working to recover svc.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) January 1, 2018
[EWL] UPDATE: Fault cleared, train svcs are progressively being restored. Pls add 10mins train travel time btwn #TanahMerah and #ChangiAirport.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) January 1, 2018
@SMRT_Singapore Scene at Tanah Merah. No shuttle bus to Changi Airport due to train fault. No one giving directions where to wait for public bus or shuttle #mediacorp #smrt #trainfault # pic.twitter.com/8aJEzk70VI
— Glenford A. Kalaw (@giokalaw) January 1, 2018
But any faith in a new year without commuting issues quickly faded when the track signaling fault recurred moments later at 7:53am. Free bus services had to carry on.
[EWL]: Track signalling fault recurred, pls add 20mins train travel time btwn #TanahMerah and #ChangiAirport.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) January 1, 2018
Just before 9am, SMRT announced again that the fault was cleared, and that train services were progressively being restored. Minutes later, they gave the all clear.
[EWL] UPDATE: Fault cleared, train services are progressively being restored. Pls add 10mins train travel time btwn #TanahMerah and #ChangiAirport.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) January 2, 2018
[EWL] CLEARED: Train svcs btwn #TanahMerah and #ChangiAirport have resumed. Free regular bus & free bridging bus svcs have ended.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) January 2, 2018
Here’s to a new year riddled with more train delays!
Happy 2018 @SMRT_Singapore 🎉 pic.twitter.com/eW6usviRtQ
— △⃒⃘ (@trousereddenim) January 2, 2018
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