Authority Collaborates with Operators to Address Causes of Multiple Service Interruptions
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is currently working with MRT operators SMRT and SBS Transit to identify the causes behind three separate disruptions on Singapore’s MRT system that occurred within the span of one week. These disruptions, which impacted commuters during peak hours, happened on February 7, 10, and 11, and affected the North-South Line (NSL), North-East Line (NEL), and Circle Line.
LTA has stated that each of these disruptions is unrelated, but the authority views them seriously.
North-South Line Incident (Feb 7)
The first disruption occurred on February 7 at 5:15 am when an engineering vehicle broke down at a railway crossing in Bishan Depot after maintenance. This hindered the launch of trains for passenger service. When SMRT attempted to move the stalled vehicle using a rescue train, some wheels of the vehicle derailed, further delaying recovery efforts. In response, SMRT rerouted trains from the East-West Line (EWL) to the NSL to maintain some service. The disruption lasted until the evening, with train services gradually restored by 5:30 pm. During the disruption, free bus services were offered to commuters to ease travel between Woodlands and Bishan.
North-East Line Disruption (Feb 10)
On February 10, a signalling fault at Buangkok MRT station on the North-East Line delayed trains from 6:08 am. SBS Transit quickly responded by providing bridging and regular bus services, ensuring commuters could continue their journeys. After more than an hour, normal train operations resumed. Preliminary investigations indicated that the fault was due to a malfunctioning electronic card in the signalling equipment. SBS Transit replaced the faulty component, and it was sent to the system’s manufacturer, Alstom, for further inspection.
Circle Line Incident (Feb 11)
On February 11, a signalling fault between Paya Lebar and Marymount stations caused delays for morning commuters on the Circle Line. The fault triggered a power trip affecting 17 trains. While power was restored by 8:20 am, delays persisted due to issues with the Central Automatic Train Supervision (CATS) system, which manages the movement of driverless trains. This issue had been previously experienced in September 2024, and LTA has been working with Alstom on a software patch, which is scheduled for deployment this weekend following successful testing.
LTA continues to collaborate with SMRT and SBS Transit to improve response protocols and identify the root causes of these disruptions, with the aim of preventing further service interruptions.
