SINGAPORE: Train services between Ang Mo Kio and Marina Bay stations were disrupted Saturday morning, in the third service breakdown this week for Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT).
In its latest update at 1.18 pm, SMRT said the southbound train service between Toa Payoh and Raffles Place stations is now available.
The service between Raffles Place and Marina Bay stations is not available.
The northbound train service between Raffles Place and Jurong East stations is available.
The train service between Raffles Place and Toa Payoh stations are running but not at a normal frequency.
A bus bridging service is available between Ang Mo Kio and Bishan, Ang Mo Kio and Raffles Place, as well as Marina Bay and City Hall stations.
Passengers on the affected stretches are advised to use alternative transport or take the bus bridging service.
They should also commute using the Circle Line, which has been running at a three-minute frequency since 8.40 am to cater to the influx of passengers.
Calls to Channel NewsAsia on Saturday's service disruption started coming in at about 7.00 am.
One caller, Jeannie said that at about 6.50 am, she and other passengers who were in a train near City Hall MRT were asked to evacuate the train and had to walk along the tunnel after "the doors got stuck".
Another caller said at 7.21 am that when service on the North-South Line broke down towards Marina Bay, an announcement was made about the breakdown but no reason was given.
On Wednesday, parts of the Circle Line were affected by a technical glitch during morning peak hours.
A day later, a service breakdown on the North-South Line caused commuter chaos during evening peak hours.
Callers told Channel NewsAsia on Saturday that they saw the SMS alert to taxi drivers informing them of the breakdown.
One caller said the alert was more "diplomatic", stating "FYI: train breakdown both directions".
She was referring to a similar message sent on Thursday night to inform SMRT drivers of an "income opportunity" following the train disruption.
The message was posted online by a passenger and went viral instantly, drawing heavy criticism.
SMRT had admitted that the alert was "insensitive" and a "very bad mistake".
The breakdown came a day after SMRT CEO Saw Phaik Hwa apologised for Thursday's glitch which affected 127,000 passengers, including 1,000 trapped in each of the four stalled trains.
It was the worst breakdown in 24 years.
- CNA/cc
SOURCE
With the COE at an all time skyhigh amount, taxi companies raising their fares unanimously, even Singapore's railway system is showing signs instability now. Bus services remain undependable and slow. So what is the best way of commuting around here? Hong Kong is able to privatise public transport with desirable effects, but in Singapore, the opposite happens.
What went wrong really?
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