The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has shed light on the delays in train service along the East-West Line (EWL) on Sep. 25.

People headed to work and school that morning were told by SMRT that there would be no train service between Boon Lay and Queenstown, due to a "power fault".

A statement from LTA was subsequently released, stating that train services would not be available on the EWL between Boon Lay and Queenstown MRT stations for at least the rest of the day.

LTA also explained the cause of the disruption.

Cause of disruption

According to an LTA spokesperson, at around 9am that day, a first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries train developed a fault while travelling Eastbound on the EWL near Clementi station.

MRT detrained passengers at Clementi station, and proceeded to withdraw the train towards Ulu Pandan depot.

While the train was being withdrawn, a power trip was detected at 9:25am.

This caused trains on the EWL between Queenstown and Boon Lay stations to stall.

"Our preliminary assessment is that when the damaged train was being withdrawn, it caused damage to the tracks, including the running rails and the third rail supplying power to the train," stated the spokesperson.

Bridging buses, train shuttle service

To aid commuters in their journeys, free regular buses and bridging buses between affected stations have been operating since 9:28am and 9:46am respectively.

From 5pm, SMRT will also run a separate shuttle train service between Buona Vista and Queenstown MRT stations, and also between Jurong East and Boon Lay stations.

These trains will run at intervals of 10 minutes.

Anticipating the evening peak period, LTA said it has activated additional support from bus operators to improve the bridging bus service.

Commuters can also hop on regular bus services at the bus stops at affected stations.

Updates will be posted on SMRT and LTA’s social media platforms, as well as LTA’s MyTransport app.

LTA said it has informed the Singapore Examination and Assessment Board (SEAB) to work out arrangements for affected students who are taking exams.

As for when the train services will be back to normal, more time may be required for repair works.

During "engineering hours" tonight, SMRT and LRT will assess whether passenger service can resume on Sep. 26.

Top photos via SMRT