Regular train services between Queenstown and Boon Lay stations on the East-West Line (EWL) will not resume on Sep. 26. Additionally, there will be no train service between Jurong East and Buona Vista stations, according to a Facebook update by SMRT on Sep. 25 at 9:27pm. Services between Queenstown and Boon Lay stations were halted at around 9:30am on Sep. 25, affecting a total of nine stations along the EWL. Free regular and bridging buses, and shuttle trains were activated to and from the affected stations to ease peak hour commute from 9:28am, 9:46am and 5pm respectively on Sep. 25.
Background
The disruption began when a Kawasaki Heavy Industries train, which has been in service for over 35 years, developed a fault while travelling near Clementi station towards the east on the EWL. A power trip occurred at 9:25am as the train was being withdrawn, causing trains between Queenstown and Boon Lay stations to stall. This incident led to 850 passengers being detrained and guided back to Clementi station via the train tracks. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SMRT engineers have been working on recovery efforts since the afternoon of Sep. 25.
Free bridging buses and shuttle train services on Sep. 26
Free regular and bridging bus services will be available between Boon Lay and Queenstown stations. Shuttle trains will also run between Boon Lay and Jurong East, and Buona Vista and Queenstown. These measures aim to mitigate the inconvenience caused by the ongoing disruption.
Recovery works to continue into the night: LTA
In a Facebook statement on Sep. 25 at 9:48pm, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that recovery works would continue into the night. The damage to the tracks is extensive, requiring more time for necessary repairs and replacements. LTA and SMRT will conduct a thorough check of all first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries trains overnight before they are put back into service.
Students taking PSLE will not be penalised for being late
The Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) stated that students taking the 2024 Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) from Sep. 26 to Oct. 2 will not be penalised for being late due to train service disruptions. Affected students will be given the full duration of the paper if they arrive at the examination centre before the end of the paper. SEAB has existing arrangements for such situations, and students have been briefed accordingly.
What happened
On Sep. 25 at around 9am, a Kawasaki Heavy Industries train developed a fault while travelling near Clementi station towards the east on the EWL. A power trip occurred at 9:25am as the train was being withdrawn, causing trains between Queenstown and Boon Lay stations to stall. This led to 850 passengers being detrained and guided back to Clementi station via the train tracks. An LTA spokesperson stated, “Our preliminary assessment is that when the damaged train was being withdrawn, it caused damage to the tracks, including the running rails and the third rail supplying power to the train.” SMRT chairman Seah Moon Ming and Group CEO Ngien Hoon Ping apologised for the “significant disruption.”
Future implications
The ongoing disruptions highlight the need for more robust maintenance and quicker response mechanisms for Singapore’s ageing train infrastructure. Commuters are advised to stay updated through official channels for further announcements. The incident also underscores the importance of having contingency plans, such as the activation of free bus and shuttle services, to minimise inconvenience during such disruptions.
