Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council apologises for twin lift malfunction over the weekend

The lifts serving Block 7, Toa Payoh Lorong 7, which is 25 storeys tall. PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO

SINGAPORE - The chairman of the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council has apologised for the inconvenience caused by the breakdown of two lifts in a Housing Board block in Toa Payoh over the weekend.

The Straits Times reported that the lifts are the only ones serving Block 7, Toa Payoh Lorong 7, which is 25 storeys tall.

Mr Chong Kee Hiong, chairman of the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council, said the two lifts malfunctioned on Saturday (Oct 14) and Sunday respectively.

"On behalf of the Town Council, I apologise to the residents for the inconvenience caused," he said in a statement.

Lianhe Wanbao reported on Wednesday that one of the lifts was being repaired when the other broke down as well.

Mr Chong added that lift technicians are immediately dispatched once the Town Council is alerted of the breakdowns.

The lifts are scheduled to be replaced based on service records and age, in addition to routine maintenance, he said.

A tender has been called for the first phase of lifts scheduled for replacements.

Residents told ST that they had experienced problems with the lifts before.

A 50-year-old mechanic who lives on the 25th floor and gave his name only as Sam told Wanbao in a previous report that he returned home at round 3pm on Sunday to find that the lifts were not working.

As he was in poor health, he could not climb the stairs and waited downstairs for four hours, he said.

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