SINGAPORE - Train service between Punggol and Sengkang stations on the North-East Line was still suspended at about 2pm on Thursday but is expected to resume later in the afternoon.

The disruption, which began at about 6am on Aug 21, was initially between Buangkok and Punggol stations. At about 8.40am, train service up to Sengkang station resumed.

SBS Transit, which runs the line, said that service was halted due to a power fault. Two pairs of steady arms which hold the contact wire of the overhead catenary system, which supplies power to the train, had dislocated at the crossover between the North and South tunnels near Punggol.

SBST added that this is the first time this has happened and that more than 20 engineers are helping to restore train service. The tunnels will also be checked before trains are allowed to pass the affected stations.

A free shuttle bus service to ferry passengers from one station to another is currently available. More than 70 traffic inspectors and goodwill ambassadors are also onsite to assist commuters.

Currently, the company does not have information on the number of passengers who were affected by the disruption.

But Mr Raphael Liu, 16, a Secondary Four student at Montfort Secondary School, said he was late for his exam as a result.

When he reached Punggol station at about 7.10am, it was very "chaotic". Usually he needs about 15 minutes to get to school near Hougang but he only managed at about 8.05am.

"People were trying to make sense of what was going on," he said. "The shuttle bus queues were also very long."

The Land Transport Authority in a statement said that it would carry out a full investigation into the cause of the disruption and SBS Transit's management of this incident.