Train fault leaves Bukit Panjang LRT train stuck on track near Teck Whye station, shuttle trains & free buses deployed

UPDATE on Oct. 23 at 4:45pm: This article has been updated with more information from SMRT on why the rescue train was unable to move the faulty train, and on the resumption of LRT service.

Normal train services on the Bukit Panjang LRT line were affected on Oct. 22.

According to a Facebook statement by SMRT at 5:56pm, the disruption was caused by a train fault.

Train services between Bukit Panjang and Petir stations via Service A and Senja station via Service B were not affected.

Shuttle trains and free regular bus services

Free regular bus services were made available between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang stations since 6:03pm.

Shuttle trains will also run between the two stations.

SMRT apologises

Images provided by a Mothership reader showed a stationary train on the track of Teck Whye LRT station.

SMRT employees were spotted in the cabin.

In a later statement shared on Facebook at 7:05pm, SMRT said that a train was immobilised near Teck Whye station at about 5:20pm.

The train operator confirmed that its staff were on-site to assist affected commuters.

It added that the commuters in the defective train were safely disembarked at Teck Whye station platform.

"To move the faulty train, a rescue train had to be deployed to move it to the depot. While on its way back to the depot, the rescue train also stalled," SMRT said.

Rescue train was “a good functioning train”, unable to move due to deflated tyre from faulty train: SMRT

Later, at 12:15am on Oct. 23, SMRT amended its earlier update to state that the rescue train was unable to successfully move the faulty train, removing the mention that the rescue train had stalled.

In a further update to the same post on Oct. 23 at 5:07am, SMRT said engineers and technicians worked through the night to restore the system.

Regular train service resumed at 5am and free regular bus services have ceased.

During the overnight recovery, engineers conducted investigations and found that the rescue train was a good functioning train.

It was unable to move because of the deflated tyre from the faulty train, SMRT said.