SINGAPORE: Train services on Singapore’s Downtown Line (DTL) resumed on 28 August after a disruption lasting more than an hour between Bukit Panjang and Beauty World stations, following a signalling fault.
Operator SBS Transit first reported the fault at 6.34am, announcing a suspension of services along the affected stretch.
Free regular and bridging bus services were deployed to help commuters continue their journeys.
At 7.15am, the operator confirmed that recovery works were still in progress but introduced a limited train shuttle service between Bukit Panjang and Beauty World stations.
Commuters were advised to consider alternative transport options via the SBS Transit and LTA MyTransport applications.
By 7.22am, the fault was resolved, and full services resumed.
In a Facebook update at 8.10am, SBS Transit announced the cessation of the bridging buses and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
The affected sector includes Cashew, Hillview and Hume stations. During the disruption, the remainder of the Downtown Line, from Beauty World to Expo, remained operational.
Commuter reactions on social media highlighted frustration with communication during the disruption.
One commuter alleged having to prompt station staff to activate the “Train Fault No Service” indicator and public announcements, arguing that this delayed critical information reaching passengers entering the station.
This incident adds to a series of recent rail service disruptions. On 6 August, the East-West Line suffered a five-hour disruption.
On 12 August, a power fault affected 11 stations on the North East Line between Farrer Park and Punggol for three hours.
On 15 August, services on the Sengkang-Punggol Light Rail Transit were halted for four hours due to another power fault.
Other rail systems have also been affected in recent weeks.
In July, the Thomson-East Coast Line experienced an hour-long disruption caused by a signalling fault, while the Bukit Panjang LRT faced two suspensions within the same month due to power issues.
Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow described the string of rail service disruptions as “disappointing”, reflecting ongoing concerns about the reliability of Singapore’s rail network.
The frequency of faults across multiple lines has sparked commuter unease, with some questioning the resilience of the network and the timeliness of operator communication.
The post Downtown Line services resume after over an hour disruption from signalling fault appeared first on The Online Citizen.
