Signal failure puts crunch on Singapore’s morning commute

Singapore commuters were caught in yet another train disruption this morning. 

Train operator SMRT said at 10:20am it had resumed services after resetting its signal system about five hours after a fault stopped trains between Newton and City Hall along the North-South Line, leading commuters to complain of delays of nearly an hour. 

“The reset was successfully completed. Train services are progressively returning to normal,” SMRT wrote in its latest update. 

“At the start of service this morning, a signalling fault occurred between Newton and City Hall on the North-South Line. Our engineers are working to rectify the fault,” it explained in an earlier message. “Commuters are advised to add up to 45 mins train travel time between Bishan and Raffles Place stations.”

Train services were affected from as early as 5am, causing congestion at stations between Raffles Place and Bishan. Photos showed large crowds at Ang Mo Kio, where SMRT noted “more congestion.” SMRT also urged commuters to reroute or board the free bus services usually deployed during breakdowns. 

Some had complained about being stuck inside trains for about an hour, as well as social distancing concerns.

“Welp it usually takes 30min to get to Orchard, but I’ve been on the train for 90 minutes,” Twitter @NanaOwyong wrote.

“Thank you smrt u still can try to squeeze [everyone] as full as possible in one train u forgot about covid 19 1 meter right??” Twitter user @Eddy1983 wrote.

Thank you smrt u still can try to squeeze eveyone as full as possible in one train u forgot about covid 19 1 meter right?? pic.twitter.com/r6kX6OJ0UM

— Eddy Tan (@Eddy1983) March 29, 2021

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