EWL sees 20-minute delay on Dec. 2 due to track point failure, incident unreported on SMRT's social media

The East-West Line (EWL) experienced a 20-minute delay on Dec. 2 evening due to a track point failure.

The delay appeared to be unannounced on SMRT's social media pages as of time of publication.

Delay

One Mothership reader, who wished to remain anonymous, was at Outram Park MRT station at around 9:20pm on Dec. 2.

He shared that the digital signboards at the North-East Line platform informed commuters about the delay.

"I was like, what? Again? Our trains need better training!"

He added that he first heard the announcement while on an EWL train, but it was unclear and he didn't understand what was happening until he spotted the signboard.

At the time, the signs pointed out that there was a track fault along the EWL and that commuters should add an extra 20 minutes of travelling time between Bugis and Paya Lebar.

It also shared that free regular bus services were available.

SMRT's social media pages did not indicate information about the Dec. 2 delay when Mothership checked on Dec. 3.

In videos and photos shared on Facebook page Land Transport Guru, ground staff could be seen providing instructions to commuters at the Paya Lebar station train platform.

One Reddit user shared updates about the Dec. 2 delay on the online forum, indicating that regular train service resumed at around 10pm.

Track point failure near Aljunied station: SMRT

Responding to queries from Mothership, SMRT President Lam Sheau Kai said that a track point failure occurred near Aljunied station on the EWL at around 7:50pm on Dec. 2.

"A shuttle train service was operated between Lavender and Paya Lebar stations, resulting in an additional 20 minutes of travel time within the affected sector," Lam said.

Free regular bus services were deployed along the affected stretch, and commuters were also advised to use the Downtown Line as an alternative travel option.

The rest of the EWL continued to operate normally in both directions, except for the scheduled train service shutdown between Bedok and Tampines, and between Tana Merah and Expo stations, Lam explained.

Lam also added that SMRT staff and engineers promptly rectified the fault and train services progressively resumed from 9:15pm.

Lam's statement did not include a response to a query from Mothership about whether SMRT has changed its policy on informing the public about train delays.

Mothership has also reached out to the Land Transport Authority for comment.

Top image via Mothership, u/sun_ny-day / Reddit