SINGAPORE – In a series of frustrating events for commuters, the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) experienced yet another delay on the evening of January 2, marking the third occurrence in just seven days.

This latest disruption was attributed to a train fault, leaving travelers grappling with unexpected delays during their journeys.

In a timely update via Facebook at approximately 7:38 PM, operator SMRT alerted commuters to expect an additional 10 minutes to their travel time between Caldecott and Gardens by the Bay, covering 12 stations.

As the situation escalated, an additional announcement came just 10 minutes later, revealing that the delay affected a total of 19 stations, extending from Caldecott to Bayshore, and impacting services in both directions.

Fortunately, SMRT reported by 8 PM that the issue had been resolved, allowing normal services to resume.

This recent delay follows two other significant disruptions in the past week alone.

On December 29, a train fault resulted in a 15-minute delay for passengers traveling from Bayshore to Woodlands North, with services moving at a slower pace during the incident.

Just two days earlier, on December 27, a signalling system fault caused intermittent stoppages throughout the TEL, leading to similar delays of around 15 minutes.

During that incident, trains maintained operation in both directions between Woodlands North and Bayshore, starting at 6:30 AM, before normal service resumed by 9:06 AM.

Despite attempts to maintain service, the frequency of these disruptions has led to growing frustration among commuters, many of whom rely on the TEL for daily travel.

As urban transport challenges continue to rise, questions are being raised about the reliability of Singapore's train system.

As this situation unfolds, further details are expected from SMRT, as commuters anxiously await lasting solutions to prevent future delays on the Thomson-East Coast Line.

Stay tuned for more updates, and let us know how these disruptions have affected your commute!