SINGAPORE: Train commuters on the Circle Line in Singapore faced disruptions on the morning of 11 February after a signalling fault caused power trips and halted trains at eight stations.
In a Facebook post, SMRT stated that the fault occurred at 8.11 am between Paya Lebar and Marymount stations, affecting train operations in the sector.
The issue caused trains to stop, triggering a power trip in the affected area. Power was restored within five minutes, and train movement resumed at 8.20 am.
However, the central automatic train system remained sluggish, affecting controllers’ ability to manage train movements efficiently.
SMRT said it took about 30 minutes for the entire Circle Line to return to normal operations.
The morning peak-hour congestion at key interchange stations such as Serangoon, Buona Vista, Botanic Gardens, and Bishan required three trains to clear the crowds.
Station staff were deployed to assist commuters, and public announcements were made at affected stations. SMRT apologised for the inconvenience caused.
Many commuters took to social media to express their frustration over the delays.
Some reported being stuck in stalled trains at Serangoon, Tai Seng, Kent Ridge, and one-north stations for at least five minutes.
Photos shared online showed crowded platforms at Dhoby Ghaut, Serangoon, and Buona Vista stations.
Several netizens highlighted that this was the second consecutive morning of train disruptions.
On 10 February, commuters on the North East Line (NEL), operated by SBS Transit, faced delay during peak hours due to a signalling fault.
This followed another disruption on 7 February, when journeys on the North-South and East-West lines were delayed due to an engineering vehicle derailment at Bishan Depot.
Some commuters criticised SMRT’s response time in notifying passengers about the delay, stating that early warnings would allow them to seek alternative transport options instead of being stranded at stations.
Others reported taking more than three trains to board at Caldecott MRT, even after 9 am.
The recent disruptions have reignited concerns over Singapore’s rail reliability, with many urging transport operators to improve service efficiency, particularly during peak hours.
