After a series of MRT disruptions in Singapore, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has taken steps to identify the causes of the incidents. The disruptions, which occurred on the North-South Line (NSL), East-West Line (EWL), North-East Line (NEL), and Circle Line (CCL), were determined to be unrelated.
Regarding the NSL and EWL disruptions, LTA stated, “When SMRT tried to move the stalled vehicle using a rescue train, some of the wheels of the engineering vehicle came off the rails.” This incident led to delays during peak hours, with trains from EWL being redirected to NSL to ensure continued operations. SMRT also mentioned that the incident was distinct from a past EWL disruption due to a train derailment.
In the case of the NEL disruption, LTA’s preliminary investigations revealed that a fault in the signalling equipment near Buangkok station was caused by a malfunctioning electronic card. This resulted in delays of up to 30 minutes for commuters. However, normal train services gradually resumed after the faulty component was replaced.
The CCL disruption, caused by a signalling fault and subsequent power trip affecting 17 trains, led to congestion at key interchanges. SMRT noted that the sluggish train regulating system necessitated approximately 30 minutes for the entire CCL to return to normal operations.
In response to these incidents, LTA emphasized its commitment to rail safety and reliability. It announced plans to work closely with SMRT and SBS Transit to identify the root causes of the disruptions and improve incident response. Additionally, a software patch developed by Alstom to address the CATS system issue will be deployed after rigorous testing.
As part of ongoing investigations and efforts to enhance public awareness, LTA’s actions address concerns raised by commuters and underscore the importance of maintaining a reliable and efficient public transportation system.
