MRT service resumes on Circle Line after power fault causes delay for commuters

SINGAPORE – A power fault on the Circle Line (CCL) on Sept 17 caused delays of about 30 minutes during the evening peak-hour commute.

Transport operator SMRT first announced on Facebook at 6.11pm that there was a power fault on the CCL. At 7.45pm, it said on X that train services had fully resumed.

In an update close to midnight, the Land Transport Authority said a traction power trip disrupted train services along the entire CCL at 5.50pm and power was restored by 6.05pm.

A total of 11 trains were stalled in the CCL tunnels during the traction power outage, it added.

After power was restored, SMRT staff had to manually recover these trains, and all were driven to the next station by 6.30pm, said LTA.

“In accordance with the standard operating procedure, SMRT had to manage the inflow of commuters to the stations during the progressive restoration of train services,” said LTA, adding that this was to avoid overcrowding and ensure the safety of commuters.

The authority added that it will investigate the cause of the traction power trip and assess the adequacy of SMRT’s service recovery measures.

SMRT said that during the 15-minute fault, the stalled trains did not have air-conditioning.

“The battery powers the ventilation fans and some lights, so it may not have been as bright,” it added.

While its engineers restored power to the network, it said some segments of the network required trains to be safely reset.

“At 7.10pm, all trains were put back into service and train services are progressively resuming,” SMRT added.

In earlier updates, commuters were advised to take other lines, and free regular bus services were activated. Station staff were deployed to assist commuters who were affected by the delay.

“We are sorry to affect your evening commute,” SMRT added.

Commuter Lars Gruenitz, who said he had been stuck in the train at Bartley station for close to an hour, told The Straits Times that there were no announcements. The 48-year-old added that the doors were kept closed and there was no air-conditioning half the time.

“I am heading home after a long work day… It does not feel nice, and it’s scary to some extent,” said Dr Gruenitz.

At Farrer Road MRT station, staff stopped commuters from entering the station at about 6pm and people were seen moving out to the bus stops.

Teacher Jane Oh, who was at Bishan station at about 6.45pm, said people were initially disallowed from going to the Circle Line platform, but the restriction was lifted after five minutes when the platform was not crowded.

Mr Richard Toh, who was stuck in a train between Marymount and Bishan, told ST that there were about three “sudden brakes” during the short commute.

“It was my first time experiencing a train fault and the situation was worrying,” said the 57-year-old retiree, who added that he was an hour late for a gathering in Kovan.

Marketing executive Elena Lim said she was unable to board the train at Buona Vista station when she was making her way back to her home in Serangoon, so she had to take a detour.

“My office is in Tuas West and I left at 6pm, but I managed to reach Serangoon only at 7.50pm,” said the 33-year-old, who added that it was crowded at Buona Vista as everyone was rushing to the East-West Line.