Transport Woes...

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Drivers taken to hospital after 2 buses, lorry collide in Pasir Ris​

SCDF was alerted to the road traffic accident near the junction of Loyang Avenue and Pasir Ris Drive 1 at about 9.30am on May 30. PHOTO: PEDRO YOSEF/FACEBOOK

Ang Qing

May 30, 2024

SINGAPORE - A bus driver and lorry driver were taken to hospital after their vehicles collided with another bus in Loyang Avenue.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on Facebook that it was alerted to the road traffic accident near the junction of Loyang Avenue and Pasir Ris Drive 1 at about 9.30am on May 30.
A photo and video of the scene on social media show a lorry sandwiched between two SBS Transit buses.
SCDF said firefighters from Changi Fire Station and Tampines Fire Station responded to the incident.
When they arrived, they found a 69-year-old bus driver trapped in his seat. To free the driver, hydraulic rescue equipment was used to pull back the dashboard and steering wheel, which had been forced inwards due to the impact of the collision.
A firefighter positioned himself inside the bus to ensure the safety of the bus driver during the rescue operation.
The trapped driver and the 31-year-old lorry driver were taken conscious to Changi General Hospital.

About 40 passengers from both buses were evacuated before SCDF’s arrival.
SBS Transit spokeswoman Grace Wu said the bus passengers were not hurt.
The bus driver and lorry driver received medical treatment largely for cuts and abrasions, she added.
Mrs Wu said SBS Transit is assisting with police investigations and has been trying to contact the lorry driver to extend its support.
Police investigations are ongoing.

 

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Power trip after lightning strike stalls MRT services on NSL for over 2 hours on June 3​

SMRT said on Facebook at 7.17pm that no trains would be plying from Choa Chu Kang to Woodlands. PHOTO: NAW PA ZAW PHAW/FACEBOOK

Ang Qing

Jun 09, 2024

SINGAPORE – A traction power fault disrupted commutes along the northern stretch of the North-South MRT Line for more than two hours during peak traffic on June 3.
Transport operator SMRT said the fault, which occurred at about 5.50pm, meant that no trains could travel from Choa Chu Kang to Woodlands.
Preliminary investigations so far found that a lightning strike caused traction power to trip, and a small fire had broken out in a power control box next to the train track, about 20m from the platform of Kranji station.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said the fire had burned itself out before its officers arrived.
No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire and root cause of the traction power fault is under investigation, said SMRT.
As the operator’s staff and engineers worked to get the system back up, commuters were told to take free regular bus and bridging bus services between the affected stops.
The operator also advised passengers to take the Thomson-East Coast Line and the Circle Line.

However, those who spoke to The Straits Times reported confusion on the ground.
Legal secretary Norazlin Omar, 48, was just three stops away from home at Kranji station when the train stopped. According to an announcement, the delay was due to a passenger who had pressed the emergency button, she said.
SMRT said in an update on June 4 afternoon that a train captain had noticed the fire and immediately activated the emergency switch push button, which caused the train to stop at Kranji station.

“This quick decision prevented the train from potentially stalling on the tracks, which could have required commuters to walk to the nearest station,” the operator said.
Train services in both directions between Kranji and Woodlands were also halted to allow engineers to perform repairs safely, it added.
Madam Norazlin said passengers got tired of waiting on the stalled train and made their way to the bus stop as there was no train service or staff directing them.
Photos on social media show crowds of commuters at the affected stations and bus stops.
Madam Norazlin said: “The bus stop was so overcrowded. People started to push one another just to board the bus. To make it worse, it was raining heavily.”


Others reported snaking queues and long waits for bus services.
Mr Bhagwant Kurade, 50, who works in trading, said he was stuck for almost 1½ hours at Choa Chu Kang station.
“They didn’t inform us at Jurong East. They should have informed us to go via the yellow line, but there was no information. We just took the train and got stuck at Choa Chu Kang,” he said.


Student care teacher Bella Ravi, 26, was travelling to Woodlands from Clementi.
“If not for the disruptions, I would already be home. It normally would have taken me 30 minutes, but I had to wait for the bus for an hour,” she said.
By 8.10pm, regular train services progressively resumed between Choa Chu Kang and Yew Tee stations, according to SMRT.

Passengers alighting from a bridging bus service at Yew Tee MRT station at about 8.30pm on June 3. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Singapore has one of the highest occurrences of lightning in the world, earning the Republic its reputation as a lightning capital.
In January, three workers on the roof of a Build-To-Order block in Bartley were taken to hospital after a bolt of lightning struck near them.
Stray streaks of lightning have also resulted in delays after striking trains or trackside equipment in 2016 and 2017.

 

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Lightning damaged disconnecting switch in power control box, disrupting June 3 train service: SMRT​

SMRT said the damaged switch, which was burnt, will be sent for further investigation and has since been replaced. PHOTOS: NAW PA ZAW PHAW/FACEBOOK, SMRT/FACEBOOK
Therese Soh

Jun 04, 2024

SINGAPORE – The June 3 disruption on the North-South Line (NSL) was caused by a lightning strike that damaged components in a power control box near Kranji MRT station and caused a power trip, said rail operator SMRT.
Providing an update on Facebook on June 4, SMRT said the damaged components included a disconnecting switch – a safety device that ensures that energy is not running through a circuit so that it will be safe to conduct emergency stoppages, repairs, maintenance or inspections.
As a safety precaution, train services were stopped in both directions between Kranji MRT station and Woodlands MRT station, allowing SMRT engineers to isolate the damaged switch and perform repairs safely, said SMRT.
The operator said a train driver activated an emergency switch to stop the train at Kranji immediately after noticing a small fire on the trackside equipment box about 20m from the station platform.
Had he not done so, the train could have stalled on the tracks and commuters might have needed to walk to the nearest station, SMRT said.
SMRT said the damaged switch, which was burnt, will be sent for further investigation and has since been replaced.
The power trip occurred at about 5.50pm on June 3 between Kranji and Marsiling stations, disrupting commutes along the northern stretch of the North-South Line for more than two hours during peak traffic.

This is not the first time lightning-related power trips have disrupted train operations.
In November 2017, a lightning strike damaged trackside equipment and caused a westbound train to stall as it approached Bedok MRT station.
There was initial speculation that the lightning strike had hit the train, but SMRT said that it had affected trackside equipment.
SMRT said then that travelling in trains during lightning storms is safe because trains are protected by a Faraday cage. A Faraday cage, or the metal shell of a train, is an enclosure made of a conductive metal that blocks electric fields and currents, such as lightning strikes, from entering a train.

When lightning strikes, the Faraday cage conducts electricity through the outer metal shell of the train so that it passes through the wheels down to the track and does not enter the cabin.
In May 2016, lightning struck between Yio Chu Kang and Khatib MRT stations on the North-South Line and crippled a train, causing delays of nearly an hour.

 

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Sengkang-Punggol LRT service resumes after 4-hour disruption on June 9 morning​

Services had been unavailable at Punggol and Sengkang LRT stations from 5.45am to 10.12am on June 9. PHOTO: LOW NIKKI/FACEBOOK

Christie Chiu

Jun 09, 2024

SINGAPORE – Train service on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT system has resumed after a signalling fault caused a disruption that lasted more than four hours on June 9.
Services had been unavailable at Punggol and Sengkang LRT stations from 5.45am to 10.12am, train operator SBS Transit said in a series of posts on X.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience caused,” the operator said in its latest update at 10.34am.
It added that free regular and bridging bus services, which were available at designated bus stops near affected stations and at Sengkang Bus Interchange, ceased at 10.20am.
No fares would be deducted if passengers had exited from affected LRT stations, the train operator said.
More information can also be found on the SBS Transit app under the “Alternative Transport Option” or the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) MyTransport.SG app and under the “Find My Way” tab.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, a SBS Transit spokesperson said the disruption was caused by the signalling system’s power supply failing, following upgrade works that were carried out during engineering hours. This prevented the trains being launched from the depot for service.

“We apologise to affected commuters for the inconvenience caused,” said the spokesperson.
“Meanwhile, we are working closely with the LTA and the original equipment manufacturer to investigate the cause of the incident and will take all action to prevent a similar fault from occurring.”

 

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Forum: Spate of bus accidents is concerning​

Jun 12, 2024

I am concerned about the recent spate of bus accidents involving public transport services (Bus driver taken to hospital after 2 Tower Transit buses collide in Sembawang, June 9; 93-year-old among 5 taken to hospital after bus and trailer truck collide at Ophir Road junction, June 6; and Drivers taken to hospital after 2 buses, lorry collide in Pasir Ris, May 30).
The frequency of these accidents suggests there may be underlying issues that need urgent attention.
As frequent users of public transportation, we place our trust in bus companies to ensure our safety, but we must also recognise the crucial role that the well-being of bus captains plays in this equation.
Driving a bus requires constant vigilance, quick decision-making and impeccable coordination. Fatigue significantly impairs these abilities, increasing the risk of accidents. Without adequate rest, their ability to perform their duties safely diminishes, putting everyone on the road at risk.
To mitigate such risks, bus companies must implement comprehensive strategies that prioritise the health and well-being of their employees. They should also foster a work environment where bus captains feel comfortable discussing their concerns without fear of retribution. Open communication can help identify issues early and allow for timely interventions.
The safety of our daily commute depends on the well-being of those at the wheel.

Gabriel Chia Sit Loke

 

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Two injured in accident involving bus and two cars near Suntec City​

A video of the aftermath shows that the bus had mounted a kerb. PHOTO: SG ROADS ACCIDENT.COM/ FACEBOOK

Sherlyn Sim

Jun 14, 2024

SINGAPORE – Two bus passengers were slightly injured in an accident involving their bus and two cars at the intersection of Nicoll Highway and Bras Basah Road on the afternoon of June 11.
A video of the aftermath posted on the Singapore Roads Accident.com Facebook page shows that the bus had mounted a kerb, its front extending into the rightmost lane of oncoming traffic on Nicoll Highway, near Suntec City. Debris from the crash is strewn on the road.
The video pans to the area behind the bus, showing that a collision had occurred between a black car and a white car. Both cars are visibly badly damaged.
The two female bus passengers, aged 30 and 35, had minor injuries but declined to be taken to hospital.
A spokeswoman for Go-Ahead Singapore said its bus service 518 had been involved in an accident with two private vehicles.
“All passengers on board were transferred to the next bus service,” she said.
She added that Go-Ahead Singapore was in touch with an injured passenger to render assistance, and urged others involved in the accident to call the company at 1800 812 6469.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force, which said it was alerted to the accident at 4.25pm, said its assistance was not required.
Police said investigations into the accident are ongoing.
At least three other incidents involving buses have been reported in June so far.
On June 6, four bus passengers, including a 93-year-old, and a pedestrian were taken to hospital after an accident involving a Tower Transit bus and a trailer truck near Sim Lim Tower in Jalan Besar.
Two people were taken to hospital on the morning of June 8 after an accident involving a Tower Transit bus and a lorry on the Tampines Expressway.
On the same day, a bus driver was taken to hospital after two off-service buses operated by Tower Transit collided in Sembawang.

 

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Malfunctioning surge arrestor among reasons that led to North-South Line disruption on June 3​

The June 3 MRT disruption left commuters angry and frustrated due to confusion on the ground and long waits and snaking queues for buses. PHOTOS: CONSTANTINE YAN/FACEBOOK, SMRT/FACEBOOK

Kok Yufeng
Transport Correspondent

Jun 15, 2024


SINGAPORE - A component meant to protect outdoor equipment from power surges, like those from lightning strikes, did not work as intended on June 3, resulting in a traction power fault that disrupted commutes along the northern stretch of the North-South MRT Line for more than two hours during evening peak hours.
In a Facebook post on June 15, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the condition of a surge arrestor located in a power control box near Kranji station could have deteriorated over time. The power control box was damaged by lightning, leading to the disruption.
The authority is now working with rail operators here to review the maintenance frequency of the surge arrestors, it said, adding that it will also work with the operators to strengthen their response to future disruptions.
Without going into specifics, it said public announcements will be improved to provide clearer information. Crowd control measures at affected MRT stations and boarding points for bridging buses will also be made better.
LTA will also review whether public transport operators here will need to maintain a larger fleet of standby buses so they can be activated as bridging buses during a rail disruption.
However, it warned that such a move needs to be carefully assessed, as having a larger buffer of standby buses will incur higher costs for the public transport system.
The June 3 MRT disruption left commuters angry and frustrated due to confusion on the ground and long waits and snaking queues for buses, as huge crowds formed at affected stations and bus stops.

One person said he was stuck for almost 1½ hours at Choa Chu Kang station.
“They didn’t inform us at Jurong East. They should have informed us to go via the yellow line, but there was no information. We just took the train and got stuck at Choa Chu Kang,” he told The Straits Times.
LTA said it has since reviewed the disruption and rail operator SMRT’s responses to it.

It said a lightning strike had damaged a trackside power control box near Kranji station at 5.46pm, causing the rail disruption between Choa Chu Kang and Woodlands stations.
It was previously reported that a small fire had broken out in the power control box next to the train track in Kranji. The fire burned itself out before Singapore Civil Defence Force officers arrived at the scene. No injuries were reported.
SMRT said on June 4 that the lightning strike damaged many components, including the disconnecting switch, which has been sent for further investigation by LTA, SMRT, Meiden and Kraus Elektrotechnik.
LTA said inclement weather and lightning risks prolonged service recovery efforts by SMRT as its engineers had to physically access the power control box on the MRT viaduct to isolate it before power could be restored to the rail at 7.50pm. Train service later resumed at 8.10pm.

Inclement weather prolonged service recovery efforts by SMRT as its engineers had to physically access the power control box on the MRT viaduct to isolate it. PHOTO: SMRT/FACEBOOK
About 10 minutes into the disruption, SMRT activated bridging bus services for the affected stations and provided free boarding on 48 regular bus services, LTA said.
The first seven bridging buses arrived at affected stations by 6.27pm, and a total of 36 bridging buses were sent out that evening.
SMRT also deployed more than 160 additional staff, on top of the regular teams at the affected stations, to guide commuters to alternative rail and bus services.


In its assessment, LTA said SMRT had responded in accordance with standard operating procedures, adding that the company had promptly disseminated information about the disruption through multiple platforms, including public announcements in stations and trains and through social media.
LTA said the impact of the disruption on June 3 was more serious than other major MRT disruptions in the past two years because it happened during peak hours and trains were unable to operate.
It added that bridging buses cannot be a full substitute for disrupted rail services as these buses can only carry 80 to 120 passengers, compared with trains, which can carry up to 1,000 or 1,200.
“This is why our longer-term plan is to build up the resilience of the rail network with new lines that are interconnected with existing lines, so that most commuters could switch to an alternative line when a rail line is disrupted,” LTA added.
SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai said the firm understands the frustration caused by the overcrowding on June 3, and it is committed to addressing this.
“In collaboration with LTA, we are actively reviewing our crowd management protocols... We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we work towards better solutions,” he added.
Singapore’s other rail operator SBS Transit also said it will work closely with the LTA.
According to LTA’s records, there were five MRT service delays lasting more than 30 minutes in 2023, three of them on the North-South Line.
In 2022, there were seven such delays across the MRT network.

 

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Component that malfunctioned during June 3 North-South Line disruption is new, says SMRT​

The disconnecting switch control box near Kranji MRT station was damaged by a lightning strike on June 3. PHOTO: SMRT/FACEBOOK

Kok Yufeng
Transport Correspondent

Jun 18, 2024

SINGAPORE – An electrical component that did not work as intended during a lightning strike on June 3, which led to train services being disrupted on the North-South MRT Line for more than two hours, was handed over to SMRT seven months ago.
In a statement to The Straits Times on June 18, the rail operator said the surge arrestor in question, which is meant to protect outdoor equipment from power surges like those from lightning strikes, is new.
The new part was among those commissioned as part of a decade-long, $2.6 billion renewal programme for the ageing North-South and East-West lines (NSEWL) conducted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
SMRT said the current maintenance schedule for the new surge arrestors, as prescribed by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Kraus Elektrotechnik, is once every two years. The first maintenance window is scheduled for 2025.
“SMRT diligently adheres to the maintenance schedule prescribed by the OEM,” said SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai.
“We are collaborating with the LTA to review and enhance this maintenance schedule, as well as the resilience of the lightning protection system,” he added.
SMRT earlier said that the lightning strike on June 3 damaged numerous components within a power control box near Kranji station, especially the disconnecting switch – a device that ensures energy is not running through a circuit so it is safe to conduct emergency stoppages, repairs, maintenance or inspections.

The surge arrestors are a component of this disconnecting switch, which has been sent for further investigations by LTA, SMRT, Kraus Elektrotechnik and another OEM, Meiden.
In response to queries, LTA said it is working with the OEM to determine the cause of the surge arrestor failure and investigations into the June 3 disruption are ongoing.
Earlier on June 15, LTA said that the trackside power control box near Kranji station was damaged at 5.46pm. This led to a power trip that disrupted train services between Choa Chu Kang and Woodlands stations during evening peak hours.

Inclement weather and lightning risks prolonged service recovery efforts, as SMRT engineers had to physically access the power control box on the MRT viaduct to isolate it before power could be restored to the rail at 7.50pm.
Train service resumed at 8.10pm.
LTA said on June 15 that the condition of the surge arrestor in the affected power control box could have deteriorated over time, which it suggested was the reason the component did not operate as intended.
The authority noted that the other equipment in the vicinity of the affected power control box was not damaged during the same lightning incident.
The disruption left many commuters frustrated due to confusion on the ground and long waits and snaking queues for buses, as huge crowds formed at affected stations and bus stops.

Photos on social media show crowds of commuters at the affected stations and bus stops on June 3. PHOTO: CONSTANTINE YAN/FACEBOOK
SMRT has since pledged to improve its crowd control measures at MRT stations and boarding points for bridging buses. It said it is also exploring “innovative ways” to keep commuters informed during future disruptions.
The project to renew and upgrade six core systems on the NSEWL, including the power supply system, started in 2012.
Most of the upgrades were completed by end-2023, including replacing wooden sleepers that hold the running rail in place with concrete ones, changing the third rail that supplies traction power to trains and upgrading the signalling system.
Work to upgrade the NSEWL’s power supply system started in 2018 and was completed in September 2023.
The new system was touted as being more robust, with sensors that can monitor the condition of components like power cables in real time, so pre-emptive action can be taken.

SMRT workers ensuring that all systems on a section of the North-South Line were restored after a lightning strike caused a power trip that disrupted train services on June 3. PHOTO: SMRT/FACEBOOK
As part of this renewal, voltage protection systems for the 27 stations on the North-South Line and the 35 stations on the East-West Line were replaced with new voltage limiting devices that LTA said could isolate power faults and prevent line-wide disruptions.
It was a glitchy power system that caused Singapore’s biggest rail breakdown in 2015, which brought the NSEWL to a standstill during the evening rush hour of July 7 that year.
Malfunctioning electrical components were also the cause of a massive three-line rail breakdown on Oct 14, 2020, that affected 123,000 commuters and left more than 6,700 passengers stuck on stranded trains for up to three hours.
The 2020 disruption was traced to a cut in the insulation layer of a power cable and a rusted trip coil along the EWL’s Tuas West Extension.
In the aftermath, systems supplier Alstom replaced all 113 trip coils and all 150km of power cables along the 7.5km extension. The French firm bore the full costs of these replacement works.