LONG QUEUES AT BOON LAY MRT

SINGAPORE: A local Reddit user sounded the alarm early Monday morning (September 30) as commuters faced extensive queues at the Boon Lay MRT station, stretching all the way into the bus interchange.

The user warned that those waiting would likely spend at least an hour in line.

Sharing a photo of the serpentine queue, the Redditor noted that such delays had not been a frequent issue in recent weeks.

"The queue starts at the MRT and extends into the bus interchange. Expect to wait between 1 to 1.5 hours just to reach the gantry. Please avoid taking the MRT; the situation will probably worsen as we approach peak hours," the user advised.

To alleviate the burden, they suggested that commuters utilize the free bridging bus service instead.

DISRUPTION IN TRAIN SERVICES

This disruption in train services began last Wednesday when a KHI train, which had been in operation for over 35 years, encountered a fault that caused smoke to billow while headed to the Ulu Pandan Depot.

This incident damaged a power cable, resulting in a power trip that further exacerbated the issues for morning commuters.

In response, shuttle trains and bus services were quickly mobilized to assist affected travelers.

Although train services were expected to fully resume by Monday morning, SMRT announced that additional time was necessary to ensure the safety of all passengers.

The resumption of services has now been postponed until tomorrow, October 1.

COMMUTER RESPONSES AND FRUSTRATION

Though some shuttle trains from Jurong East to Boon Lay remain operational, delays were reportedly intensified by the rainy weather.

Frustration among commuters was evident, with some urging officials to experience the challenges of traveling via MRT themselves during this period.

One Reddit user currently stuck in the lengthy queue expressed their disbelief, stating, "I'm here, and this queue is insane. I can’t understand why the train frequency is only every seven minutes."

Another user echoed this sentiment, describing the situation as "beyond ridiculous," mentioning that the queue not only looped through the bus interchange but also extended outside the MRT station.

In a bid to highlight the severity of the issue, one commuter shared their experience of switching to the bus, only to find themselves stuck at Beauty World.

As the situation continues to unfold, commuters are advised to seek alternative modes of transportation and stay updated on service resumption.

NEED FOR SOLUTIONS

With escalating complaints and mounting frustration, the need for viable solutions to manage commuter flow and restore effective transport services remains paramount for Singapore's public transit system.