SINGAPORE

Commuters faced significant disruptions on the East-West Line on Thursday, October 10, due to a stalled train that caused delays in both directions. The disruption, which lasted approximately one hour, was reported by transport operator SMRT.

At around 12:30 PM, a first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) train stalled near Tiong Bahru station due to a technical fault. In a statement on their Facebook page, SMRT confirmed that all passengers safely disembarked at Outram Park station.

To mitigate the inconvenience, SMRT announced that commuters could expect an additional 25 minutes of travel time. They also provided free bus services between Outram Park and Queenstown stations during the disruption.

An update later revealed the cause of the stoppage to be a 'train-borne electrical fault,' differentiating it from a previous incident in September, where an axle box malfunction led to a six-day disruption. Following that incident, authorities had assured that all KHI trains had successfully passed necessary checks.

What's alarming is that this wasn’t the first time the aging KHI trains have caused major disruptions. Just last month, one of these trains, which have been in service for over 35 years, caused a power trip and damage to tracks between Clementi and Dover stations. That incident forced a lengthy investigation and repair process.

During the latest stall, some passengers reported feeling a tilt in the train. SMRT explained that this was a normal occurrence due to the slope of the tracks near Tiong Bahru station and confirmed that the train remained stable throughout the incident.

After clearing the fault, SMRT progressively restored train services, advising that additional travel times had decreased from 20 minutes to just 10 minutes by 1:14 PM. By 1:22 PM, services resumed between Queenstown and Bugis, and the free bus services were subsequently halted.

A commuter, who happened to be aboard the problematic train, shared his experience on social media, recounting how the train came to a halt for about 20 minutes before reversing back to Outram Park station. His account noted that at one point, the train felt as if it had tilted, a concern echoed by others during the delay.

In closing, as Singapore continues to modernize its transport infrastructure, the recurring issues with the aging KHI fleet underline the urgent need for upgrades to ensure reliable public transport for all Singaporeans. Stay tuned as we bring more updates on the developments surrounding the East-West Line!