MRT train delays on North-South & East-West lines due to faulty engineering vehicle

Commuters on the North-South and East-West MRT lines experienced train delays on Feb. 7 morning due to a faulty engineering vehicle.

Train services for both lines returned to normal at 9:30am.

Commuters advised to take alternate routes

SMRT provided frequent updates on the situation on its Facebook since 5:52am.

The public transport operator also advised passengers on alternate routes they can take.

Delays went up to 20 minutes, with in-train and station announcements updating commuters about the situation.

Free regular bus and bridging bus services were available between Ang Mo Kio and Jurong East.

Such services were also available between Ang Mo Kio and Woodlands, as well as Bishan and Woodlands.

SMRT encouraged commuters to consider taking the Thomson-East Coast and Circle lines.

At 9:30am, SMRT announced that the North-South and East-West Line train services had returned to normal, and free regular bus and bridging bus services ceased.

SMRT also thanked passengers for their understanding and patience.

Engineering vehicle broke down at a crossing in Bishan Depot

At 7:03am, SMRT provided an update that an engineering vehicle returning to Bishan Depot after regular maintenance works during engineering hours broke down at one of the crossings in the depot.

The incident, which occurred around 5:15am, prevented some trains that serve the North-South Line in the morning from leaving the depot.

The transport operator provided a subsequent update on its Facebook at 7:55am, stating more trains from other depots have been redirected from the East-West Line to support operations on the North-South Line.

"As a result, the waiting time between trains on the NSEWL will temporarily increase to about 3.5 minutes, up from the usual 2 minutes," it said.

SMRT staff and engineers were working on site to recover the faulty engineering vehicle that stalled at Bishan Depot, preventing the launch of trains.

The transport operator apologised to passengers for affecting their morning commute.

Previous train delays on Jun. 3, 2024

On Jun. 3, 2024, the train services between the Choa Chu Kang and Woodlands stations on the North-South Line were disrupted due to a lightning strike that caused traction power to trip.

The disruption happened during a weekday evening, causing congested MRT stations at Marsiling and Yew Tee, as well as long queues for free buses as commuters search for alternative transport.

Top image via Facebook & Canva