Transport Woes...

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Longer waiting time for North-South and East-West MRT lines due to engineering vehicle fault​

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Train operator SMRT advised travellers to add 10 minutes to their travelling time. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

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Train passengers travelling on the North-South and East-West MRT lines can expect longer waiting time due to a faulty engineering vehicle.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

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Train operator SMRT advised passengers to add 10 minutes to their travelling time. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

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SMRT also encouraged passengers to take alternate routes via the Thomson-East Coast Line and the Circle Line.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

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SMRT also encouraged passengers to take alternate routes via the Thomson-East Coast Line and the Circle Line.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

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The faulty engineering vehicle on the North-South Line led to delays between Ang Mo Kio and Jurong East stations.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
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Sherlyn Sim
Feb 07, 2025


SINGAPORE - Train passengers travelling on the North-South and East-West MRT lines can expect longer waiting time due to a faulty engineering vehicle on the morning of Feb 7.

The faulty engineering vehicle on the North-South Line led to delays between Ang Mo Kio and Jurong East stations, train operator SMRT said at 7am.

More trains from other depots have been redirected from the East-West line to support the North-South line, SMRT added in a Facebook post at about 8am.

The waiting time between trains on the North-South and East-West lines will temporarily increase to up to five minutes.

In its first social media post at 5.52am, SMRT advised travellers to add 20 minutes to their travelling time. It was later revised to 10 minutes, before it was further reduced to five minutes at 7.27am.

It also said free regular bus and bridging bus services are available between Bishan and Woodlands.

SMRT also encouraged passengers to take alternate routes via the Thomson-East Coast Line and the Circle Line.

The waiting time between trains on the North-South and East-West lines will temporarily increase to up to five minutes. PHOTO: QQKAWAII KAWAII/ FACEBOOK
SMRT said in a Facebook post at 7am that an engineering vehicle returning to Bishan Depot after regular maintenance works during engineering hours broke down at one of the crossings in the depot at 5.15am.

This prevented some trains that will serve the North-South Line on the morning of Feb 7 from leaving the depot.

SMRT said its engineers are on site to recover the faulty engineering vehicle.


On Jan 10, train passengers travelling between Marina South Pier and Bishan MRT stations had their journeys delayed due to a stalled train on the North-South Line during the peak hour.

The disruption was caused by a northbound train that stalled near Orchard station at 5.40pm, SMRT said.

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Train services on NEL delayed during morning peak hour due to signalling fault​

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SBS Transit said that commuters can expect an additional 20 minutes to their morning commute. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

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Those travelling on the NEL can expect longer travelling time due to a signalling fault in Buangkok on Feb 10.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

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From Serangoon station, those going to Dhoby Ghaut station can travel to Bishan station and transfer to the North South LineST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW
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Elaine Lee
Feb 10, 2025

SINGAPORE - Those travelling on the North East Line (NEL) can expect longer travelling time due to a signalling fault in Buangkok on the morning of Feb 10, train operator SBS Transit said.

In a tweet at 7.43am, the public transport operator said commuters can expect an additional 30 minutes for their morning commute.

This came after an earlier tweet at 6.23am, when it said commuters should expect an additional travel time of 10 minutes, which it later updated to 15 minutes.

At 7.11am, it revised the delay to 20 minutes.

Free regular bus services are available at Serangoon, Hougang and Sengkang bus interchanges while free bridging bus services are available at bus stops near affected stations between Dhoby Ghaut and Punggol Coast stations, SBS Transit said.

Commuters who need to make their way to HarbourFront station can change to the Circle Line (CCL) at Serangoon station, it added.

Those travelling between Kovan and Punggol stations to Dhoby Ghaut or Little India station can change to CCL at Serangoon station as well.


From Serangoon station, those going to Dhoby Ghaut station can travel to Bishan station and transfer to the North South Line

Those heading to Little India Station can take CCL from Serangoon and transfer to the Downtown Line at Botanic Gardens station.

“You may wish to use other MRT lines if you are at HarbourFront, Outram Park, Chinatown, Dhoby Ghaut, Little India or Serangoon Stations,” added SBS Transit.

Commuters at Serangoon MRT station NEL line at 8am, on Feb 10.ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW
IT engineer Vincent Lim told The Straits Times that he boarded the train at Punggol station at 6am but he only arrived at HarbourFront station at 7.35am.

“The journey typically takes about 45 minutes but it took me one and a half hour today,” said the 49-year-old, who added that he starts work at 7am.

“The delay felt like an hour and not 15 minutes.”


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Circle Line resumes normal MRT service after signalling fault during morning peak hour​

Pictures posted on several platforms show crowded platforms at the Dhoby Ghaut, Serangoon and Buona Vista stations.PHOTO: ANNE-MARIE SIM/FACEBOOK

Elaine Lee
Feb 11, 2025

SINGAPORE - Train commuters on the Circle Line faced delays in their journeys on the morning of Feb 11 after a signalling fault caused power trips and trains to be stalled in eight stations.

Posts on social media about the delay started appearing at about 8.20am, with netizens saying that they are in trains that were stalled in stations such as Serangoon, Tai Seng, Kent Ridge and one-north for at least five minutes.

Pictures posted on several platforms show crowded platforms at Dhoby Ghaut, Serangoon and Buona Vista stations.

Mr Norman Lee, who was travelling from Buona Vista station to Expo station, told The Straits Times that his journey to work usually takes 50 minutes but it became an hour and 10 minutes today.

“There was an announcement about a five-minute delay at Buona Vista,” said the 47-year-old educator, who usually changes to the Downtown Line at MacPherson station.

“The train was moving slowly at various parts of the journey and we were told that it was due to congestion ahead of our station.”

Mr Lee added that he managed to get a seat at Buona Vista station and was able to work on his laptop while he was stuck in the train.

“Luckily, I don’t have an early morning work appointment. Otherwise, it would have affected me greatly.”

In a post on Facebook, SMRT said a signalling system fault occurred between Paya Lebar and Marymount stations, affecting train operations across eight stations at 8.11am.

“The fault caused trains to stop, and power to the affected sector was tripped,” the train operator said, adding that power was restored within five minutes, and train movement was resumed at 8.20am.

“However, the central automatic train system was sluggish, affecting the ability of controllers to manage train movements efficiently.”

The train operator added that it took about 30 minutes for the entire CCL to return to normal operations.

“During the morning peak, key interchange stations such as Serangoon, Buona Vista, Botanic Gardens and Bishan typically require one to two trains to clear crowds,” it said, adding that the delay took SMRT three trains to ease congestion.

Pictures posted on several platforms show crowded platforms at the Dhoby Ghaut, Serangoon and Buona Vista stations.PHOTOS: NORMAN LEE, DEWEYE/REDDIT
“In response, station staff were deployed to assist commuters, and public announcements were made at affected stations.”

SMRT apologised for the inconvenience caused.

On Feb 10, train commuters faced delays on the North East Line, operated by SBS Transit, during the morning peak hour, due to a signalling fault.

Journeys on the North-South and East-West lines – operated by SMRT – were held up on Feb 7. This was after an engineering vehicle derailed at Bishan Depot.

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'Insane' crowds as signalling fault causes train delays for 2nd morning in row, this time on Circle Line​

Ong Su Mann​

11 February 2025

For the second morning in a row, MRT commuters were affected by train delays due to a signalling fault on Feb 11.

This time, it was on the Circle Line.

A signalling system fault occurred between Paya Lebar and Marymount stations at 8.11 am, affecting train operations across eight stations, said SMRT in a Facebook post.

"The fault caused trains to stop, and power to the affected sector was tripped. Power was restored within five minutes, and train movement resumed at 8.20 am," said the post.

"However, the Central Automatic Train System was sluggish, affecting the ability of controllers to manage train movements efficiently. As a result, it took approximately 30 minutes for the entire Circle Line to return to normal service."

SMRT said that due to this delay, it took about three trains to ease the congestion.

"During the morning peak, key interchange stations such as Serangoon, Buona Vista, Botanic Gardens, and Bishan typically require one to two trains to clear crowds," added the rail operator.

"In response, station staff were deployed to assist commuters, and public announcements were made at affected stations."

Videos and photos of the "insane" crowds at the affected stations were posted online.



Even though the fault occurred at 8.11am, SMRT did not post any social media advisory for commuters to add more travelling time like the company usually did for more than two hours.

It first acknowledged the situation on Facebook only at 10.20am.

SMRT said systems supplier Alstom has developed a software patch to address the issue, which is scheduled for installation on Feb 15.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused to commuters," added SMRT.

A day earlier, a signalling fault was also the culprit for train delays on the North-East Line during morning rush hour.

 

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Woman who fell while on double-decker bus loses lawsuit against SBS Transit, driver​

Video footage from the bus showed that the woman fell as the vehicle moved off from the bus stop.PHOTO: COURT DOCUMENTS

Selina Lum
Feb 11, 2025

SINGAPORE – A woman who fell while climbing the stairs of a double-decker bus has lost a civil negligence suit against transport operator SBS Transit (SBST) and the bus driver.

In a written judgment published on Feb 11, a district judge said it was unfortunate that the woman was injured and that he sympathised with the pain and suffering she experienced. The judgment did not give details of her injuries.

“Nevertheless, the fault did not lie with the second defendant’s driving,” said District Judge Samuel Wee. He said that based on the video footage from the bus, it appeared that the woman missed a step, lost her balance and fell as the bus moved off from the bus stop.

When she was cross-examined in court, she confirmed she was fit, robust and did not require any mobility aid to get to the upper deck of the bus.

Judge Wee also noted that she had chosen to find a seat on the upper deck instead of the lower deck, which had available seats.

The passenger, Madam Tran Thi Phuong Nga, was in her late 60s when she boarded the bus on Feb 17, 2020.

Carrying a bag of food in her right hand, she climbed the steps to the upper deck while holding the handrail with her left hand. As she reached the top of the stairs, the bus moved off and she fell.

Two sets of video footage, showing multiple perspectives of the event, were tendered in court.

Madam Nga, who was represented by Mr Jeffrey Lau, had filed the lawsuit in 2022.

Civil cases are heard in a district court where the amount claimed is up to $250,000, or up to $500,000 for claims for road traffic accidents or personal injuries from industrial accidents.

Madam Nga alleged that the driver, Mr Lui Nai Yu, had moved off before ensuring that she was properly seated.

She suggested that Mr Lui should have paid more attention to her as she was elderly, but he was distracted because he was speaking to a female passenger standing at the front of the bus and neglected to monitor the video feed of the stairs.

She also claimed that Mr Lui had moved off or stopped the bus with a sudden jerk, and that he was steering with only one hand.

She contended that SBST was vicariously liable for the driver’s negligence.

Mr Lui denied breaching his duty of care. Both he and SBST were represented by Mr Willy Tay.

The driver asserted that he did not have to wait for Madam Nga to be seated before moving off from the bus stop.

He said he did not move off or stop jerkily, and that he had controlled the steering wheel appropriately despite using just one hand.

Lawyers for both sides were unable to point to any local precedents specifically addressing whether a bus driver had to wait for all passengers to be seated before moving off from a stationary position.

After examining cases in the Australian, English and Scottish courts, Judge Wee said it is generally not necessary for a bus driver to wait for all passengers to be seated before moving off.

That said, an exception arises for passengers who are vulnerable.

Mr Lui had testified that he did not have any reason to pay extra attention to Madam Nga because she walked fairly quickly and proceeded to the upper deck.

Judge Wee found no merit to Madam Nga’s argument that the bus driver should not have spoken to the female passenger.

The judge also rejected her claim that the bus had moved off or stopped with a sudden jerk.

The footage showed that no other passengers lost their balance when the bus moved off or came to a halt; the other passengers standing on the lower deck remained firm-footed throughout.

The judge also concluded that the driver remained in control of the bus even though he held the steering wheel with just one hand for a period of two to three seconds.

Footage showed that Mr Lui initially used his right hand to operate some buttons before resting it on his lap until the bus was ready to move off. The driver then turned the steering wheel gently with his left hand before placing his right hand on it as well.

As Madam Nga had failed to establish that the defendants were negligent, the suit was dismissed and will not proceed to the subsequent stage to prove causation and address the quantification of damages.

 

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Forum: Some taxi drivers at airport prefer cash over cards​

Mar 04, 2025

I am writing about an issue I have encountered on many occasions when taking a taxi from Changi Airport terminals 1 to 3 after returning from overseas assignments.

I have noticed that, before each passenger boards a taxi, the taxi queue assistant will ask him whether he will be paying by cash or card. When I inquired about this, I was informed that some taxi drivers refuse to accept card payments.

As Singapore is a developed country with a well-regulated transport system, I am concerned about whether it is acceptable for taxi drivers to refuse card payments, especially when both cash and card are officially recognised as valid payment methods.

This practice could also inconvenience travellers who may not have cash readily available after a flight.

I would appreciate clarification on this matter and whether there are any regulations in place to ensure that all taxi drivers accept card payments.

Ng Cheng Hoon

 

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No offence committed by cabbies who gathered at Changi Airport over minibus concerns: Shanmugam​

Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam described the Feb 13 gathering as a “pre-planned dialogue” to discuss concerns.PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

Kok Yufeng
Mar 04, 2025

SINGAPORE– The police’s assessment of a gathering of unhappy premium taxi drivers at Changi Airport on Feb 13 found that there was “no offence disclosed”, said Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam on March 4.

Meanwhile, a ground manager from private transport operator Woodlands Transport Service whose actions led to some cabbies’ perception of unfair treatment has been removed from his role, said Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.

Describing the Feb 13 gathering as a “pre-planned dialogue” to discuss concerns over a new minibus service at the airport, Mr Shanmugam said police inquiries found that there was no strike or protest involved.

In a written parliamentary reply to Mr Xie Yao Quan (Jurong GRC), who asked if the police were probing the incident, Mr Shanmugam said no law-and-order issues arose from the meeting and the police will not be investigating further.

In a separate written reply to Mr Xie and Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai, Mr Chee shed more light on what led to the events of Feb 13. The minister said airport operator Changi Airport Group (CAG) has been engaging Woodlands Transport to manage Changi Airport’s ground transport concierge service since 2008.

This service allows travellers to book a range of transport options, including six- to seven-seater taxis and limousine cabs.

As this is a commercial arrangement between the two firms, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Land Transport Authority are not involved in the operations, Mr Chee said.

On Feb 1, CAG and Woodlands Transport introduced a new eight-seater minibus service, operated by Woodlands Transport, in response to growing demand for larger vehicles.

However, a Woodlands Transport ground manager allowed the new minibuses to park in front of the ground transport concierge counter, which is meant to be the assembly point for the premium taxis and maxi-cabs, Mr Chee said.

This led to perceptions that Woodlands Transport was giving preferential treatment to its own minibus service. CAG did not approve this arrangement, the minister added.

The Straits Times reported that simmering unhappiness had reached a tipping point on Feb 13 after some cabbies recalled having to wait longer to pick up passengers at the airport following the roll-out of the minibus trial. They reported income losses as a result.

On Feb 13, some drivers from taxi operators ComfortDelGro and Prime Taxi agreed to stop picking up passengers from Changi Airport between 9am and midnight.

From 4pm to 7pm, the drivers parked their vehicles in the holding area of the ground transport concierge, where they aired their concerns with CAG and the relevant parties.

Mr Chee said about 50 drivers met at the ground transport concierge area. The National Taxi Association (NTA) alerted CAG to the meeting, and both NTA and CAG representatives were present to engage the drivers.

After hearing their concerns, CAG suspended the new minibus service immediately.

The minibus trial remains suspended, a spokesperson for the airport operator told ST.

Mr Chee said CAG has since strengthened its oversight of Woodlands Transport’s operations at the ground transport concierge.

CAG will also engage the NTA and taxi drivers directly and regularly on any changes to the concierge service, and secure their support before rolling out the changes, he added. Mr Chee said it was thanks to the support of the NTA and driver association leaders who had stepped in to manage the situation that there was no disruption to taxi services at the airport. ST has contacted Woodlands Transport for comment.

The home-grown company manages a fleet of 1,300 vehicles, including buses, coaches and trucks, according to its website.

 

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Train fault between Promenade and Serangoon MRT stations; 30-minute delay expected: SMRT​

The delay is for train service in both directions.ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

Sarah Koh
Mar 05, 2025

SINGAPORE – Train commuters can expect a delay of 30 minutes when travelling between Promenade and Serangoon stations on the Circle Line on March 5 due to a train fault.

Operator SMRT said on its social media platforms just after 4pm that the delay is for train service in both directions, which is still available.

Free regular bus service is available in the 10-station stretch affected, said SMRT.

In an update at 4.19pm, the operator said shuttle train service is available between the Bartley and Mountbatten stations.

The operator also advised commuters to take alternative routes on the North-South, North East, Downtown, or East-West line.

The Straits Times has contacted SMRT for more information.

 

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Stalled bus causes snaking queues of commuters, buses in and around Boon Lay interchange​

Long queues for buses at the Boon Lay interchange, at about 8.15am on March 7.ST PHOTO: CALISTA WONG
Rhea Yasmine and Calista Wong
Mar 07, 2025

SINGAPORE – Snaking queues of commuters were seen at Boon Lay bus interchange on the morning of March 7, after a stalled bus just outside the facility affected traffic flow in the area.

When The Straits Times arrived at the interchange at about 8am, there were queues stretching all the way to the adjacent Jurong Point mall.

A commuter said she was confused and did not know that the stalled bus had caused the situation.

The length of the queue for service 251, which she usually takes to go to work, was so long that it appeared to have merged with the queue for another bus.

“I couldn’t even find the end of the queue,” she added.

In a video on the Singapore Road Accident Facebook page, more than 10 buses – some with passengers – are seen stationary on the rightmost lane of a road, waiting to enter the interchange, according to the caption.

SMRT Buses, which operates the interchange, said a service 187 bus broke down at around 6.15am on a slip road from Jurong West Central 3 to Jurong West Street 64.

Long queues were seen at the Boon Lay bus interchange on the morning of March 7 after a stalled bus just outside the facility obstructed traffic flow.PHOTO: KRIZ PHUA/FACEBOOK
This affected traffic flow near the interchange, said SMRT Buses deputy managing director Vincent Gay. Services 172, 178, 179, 180, 187, 240, 241, 251 and 252 were temporarily diverted to mitigate the situation.

“Additional staff were also deployed on-site to manage bus movements and assist affected passengers at the interchange,” he added.

The stalled bus was later towed away, and traffic in the area returned to normal at about 8.50am.

“We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of all affected passengers,” said Mr Gay.

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MRT service resumes between Gardens by the Bay and Bayshore following train fault​

Train service between Woodlands North and Gardens by the Bay is still available.PHOTO: ST FILE

Fatimah Mujibah
Mar 12, 2025

SINGAPORE - Commuters faced more than 40 minutes of disruption early on March 12 as train services came to a halt between Gardens by the Bay and Bayshore stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL).

The issue was due to a train fault, said transport operator SMRT.

In a Facebook update at 6.24am, SMRT said train service had been restored and service was available between Woodlands North and Bayshore.

Free regular bus services are no longer available between Gardens by the Bay and Bayshore, the train operator said.

SMRT explained in an update at 6.45am that the train fault first happened at Tanjong Katong station on the TEL around 5am.

The train was safely moved to a rail siding to enable normal train service to resume, SMRT said, adding that its engineers had tried to resolve the fault quickly.

The train operator added that station announcements were made to keep commuters in the loop, along with staff deployed on-site for assistance.

“We are sorry for affecting your morning commute,” SMRT added.

 

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