Normal train services resume after track fault between Jurong East and Clementi

SINGAPORE - A track fault and bad weather caused train service on a nine-station stretch on the East-West Line to be delayed for about three hours on April 4.

The track fault happened at about 1.10pm in the west-bound direction between the Jurong East and Clementi stations, with operator SMRT first advising passengers at about 1.30pm to factor in 20 minutes more when travelling between the Queenstown and Boon Lay stations.

Train service was still available throughout, with shuttle train service available between Jurong East and Lakeside during the disruption. There was also a free regular bus service between Buona Vista and Boon Lay, SMRT said earlier.

The operator said on X at 4.08pm that normal train service had resumed.

SMRT had said in a 3.45pm update that its engineering team was on site and trying to rectify the issue, having been unable to do so earlier because of bad weather and lightning risk.

“We seek commuters’ understanding and apologise for the delay to your afternoon commute,” it said.

During the disruption, SMRT advised those travelling between Buona Vista and Boon Lay stations to change to the Circle Line at Buona Vista, and passengers to use the North-South Line and change to the Thomson-East Coast Line at Woodlands to get to the city.

Tutor J.G. Hoe was at Clementi station at about 1.30pm and saw trains in both directions at the platform. The west-bound train was packed with its doors opened for a long time, while the east-bound train was empty, with its doors closed, the 60-year-old said.

She added that she did not hear any announcements about the delay, but saw signs telling commuters about the additional travelling time at her destination at Lavender.

Ms Tricia Loh, a 21-year-old student, was ushered out of her train at Lakeside station during her commute to her school Nanyang Technological University from Jurong East station.

“It was frustrating because it was hot and the train timings on the board weren’t very accurate. They kept jumping from four minutes to five minutes, then four minutes again. In the end, I waited for about 10 minutes,” she said. She ended up 30 minutes late for class.

Another commuter, Mr Jeffrey Chua, had to wait 20 minutes for the train at Clementi station at 2.45pm. However, he made it to his appointment on time, as he took the breakdown into consideration before leaving the house.

“Sometimes it can’t be helped when there is a problem with the machinery,” said the 63-year-old financial adviser, noting that the station would repeat the delay broadcast every five minutes.

Train services between Jurong East and Buona Vista on the East-West Line were

crippled for six days from Sept 25 to Sept 30, 2024,

after an axle box dislodged from a faulty east-bound train. It was one of the worst train disruptions to the MRT system in its 37-year history, affecting about 2.6 million passengers.