Typically, public transport operator SMRT would issue advisories about train delays or disruptions on its Twitter and Facebook accounts, if there were any. It’s the least SMRT could do, after all, in the midst of the re-signaling project, which has caused frequent commuting delays during peak hours.
This morning, a train fault struck again — this time along the East-West Line. Alas, no update at all from SMRT’s side on social media. How odd (and rude).
I see many reports of a train delay on the East West Line from Pasir Ris. Look to #SMRT, not the @SMRT_Singapore Twitter account. pic.twitter.com/wj2f9b4wg8
— Eisen (@eisen) September 19, 2017
Really though, commuters could have used the heads up before they made plans to take the train. According to chatter on Twitter, the unverified train fault occured as early as 7:40am, with commuters noting that Pasir Ris-bound trains were aplenty, but none arrived at the opposite side, towards the city.
Waited 30mins. No train.#smrt #tampines pic.twitter.com/UX65CZdL8k
— Cyrus Huang (@xsurycx) September 19, 2017
On the board, commuters were told to expect an additional 10 minutes of travel time.
#SMRT EW line travelling time additional 10mins delay. Pasir Ris station is in chaos. So is the taxi stand.#traindelay pic.twitter.com/YK3D0K9Gzi
— CT Bayya (@crushice28) September 19, 2017
Unfortunately, it didn’t help matters at all — especially since there weren’t any updates on social media to give fair warning to commuters. Massive crowds formed at MRT stations along the East West Line, including Tampines, Bedok, Pasir Ris and Simei. Just look at how the chaos unfolded via Twitter.
Doesn’t look like a good Tuesday morning for many of us #smrt pic.twitter.com/B187d2QPfp
— Aiman Amin (@aimanam1n) September 19, 2017
Queueing is our favourite pastime in Singapore @SMRT_Singapore #SMRTfail #SMRT #whichsignalfaultnow pic.twitter.com/zJWEB7TgdW
— Melissa Chue (@chueonit) September 19, 2017
Tampines MRT train down … @SMRT_Singapore pic.twitter.com/xhxZ9wKmUf
— Soon Koon (@lemonfilmblog) September 19, 2017
@SMRT_Singapore still no train fault announcement?! How do u expect commuters to plan their journey?! pic.twitter.com/Vx6cyzMCbA
— Flam3y (@vienniec) September 19, 2017
SMRT has yet to issue any statement, and remains mum about the whole thing. SMRT has yet to issue any statement, and remains mum about the whole thing. The last update on their Twitter page is a post about train services resuming to normal on the North-South Line on Sep 15, while the last update on their Facebook page was 12 hours ago — a post celebrating the three-month anniversary of the Tuas Depot.
