Transport operator SMRT announced Jan. 22 that a trackside fault occurred at 10:12pm after a signal point was bypassed by a train captain without authorisation, causing train service between Tanah Merah and Pasir Ris stations to be disrupted.
About 180 passengers were re-directed to Simei station and another 200 passengers, to Expo station. Free shuttle bus services were provided to facilitate passengers travelling between Tanah Merah and Pasir Ris stations.
SMRT’s engineers were deployed as quickly as possible to correct the situation and the train service resumed roughly an hour later at 11.19pm.
SMRT has also apologised to all passengers affected by the disruption.
This is the already the fourth train disruption this year — the first major disruption on Jan. 11 saw a one and a half-hour delay affecting passengers between Kranji and Yew Tee stations (some even had to walk on the track).
On a separate, but related note, president of Transitioning.org Gilbert Goh has initiated a lawsuit against SMRT for its frequent breakdowns.
In a post on the transport fare hike protest’s event Facebook page, Goh seeked the advise of human rights lawyer M. Ravi with regards to the cost of taking up such a lawsuit. He also asked whether M. Ravi is willing to represent them in the lawsuit.
The idea of a lawsuit against SMRT has received attracted mixed reactions from netizens.
One user commented, “Who do you think the Courts will side? Is it worth (sic)? Better stick to protest.”
However, most are supportive towards the lawsuit and feel that the people should stand together and voice their displeasure even if it means fighting a losing battle.
One of them said, “I don’t think its about winning but rather creating an awareness and exposing all the weaknesses of the system including government failure and poor planning.”
Photo: Gilbert Goh’s Facebook
