SINGAPORE: Train services between Ang Mo Kio and Marina Bay stations were disrupted Saturday morning, in the third service breakdown this week for Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT).
In its latest update at about 10.55 am, SMRT said the southbound train service between Toa Payoh and Newton is now available.
The southbound service between Newton and Marina Bay stations is not available.
The northbound train service between Raffles Place and Jurong East stations is available.
The train service between Raffles Place and Toa Payoh stations is running at reduced frequencies.
And the northbound train service between Marina Bay and Raffles Place is not available.
Bus bridging services are available between Ang Mo Kio and Bishan, Ang Mo Kio and Raffles Place, Marina Bay and City Hall.
Passengers on the affected stretches are advised to use alternative transport or take the bus bridging service.
SMRT believes the cause of Saturday's breakdown is similar to the problem that disrupted service on the North-South Line on Thursday night.
Senior vice-president of Communications and Services, Goh Chee Kong said this in an interview with MediaCorp at about 10.00 am.
In the service breakdown on Thursday, a misalignment between the special components - the train track and 'collector shoes' - that trains draw power from, had caused the fault.
Calls to Channel NewsAsia on Saturday's service disruption started coming in at about 7.00 am.
One caller, Jeannie said that at about 6.50 am, she and other passengers who were in a train near City Hall MRT were asked to evacuate the train and had to walk along the tunnel after "the doors got stuck".
Another caller said at 7.21 am that when service on the North-South Line broke down towards Marina Bay, an announcement was made about the breakdown but no reason was given.
On Wednesday, parts of the Circle Line were affected by a technical glitch during morning peak hours.
A day later, a service breakdown on the North-South Line caused commuter chaos during evening peak hours.
Callers told Channel NewsAsia on Saturday that they saw the SMS alert to taxi drivers informing them of the breakdown.
One caller said the alert was more "diplomatic", stating "FYI: train breakdown both directions".
She was referring to a similar message sent on Thurday night to inform SMRT drivers of an "income opportunity" following the train disruption.
The message was posted online by a passenger and went viral instantly, drawing heavy criticism.
SMRT had admitted that the alert was "insensitive" and a "very bad mistake".
The breakdown came a day after SMRT CEO Saw Phaik Hwa apologised for Thursday's glitch which affected 127,000 passengers, including 1,000 trapped in each of the four stalled trains.
- CNA/cc
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1171888/1/.html
In its latest update at about 10.55 am, SMRT said the southbound train service between Toa Payoh and Newton is now available.
The southbound service between Newton and Marina Bay stations is not available.
The northbound train service between Raffles Place and Jurong East stations is available.
The train service between Raffles Place and Toa Payoh stations is running at reduced frequencies.
And the northbound train service between Marina Bay and Raffles Place is not available.
Bus bridging services are available between Ang Mo Kio and Bishan, Ang Mo Kio and Raffles Place, Marina Bay and City Hall.
Passengers on the affected stretches are advised to use alternative transport or take the bus bridging service.
SMRT believes the cause of Saturday's breakdown is similar to the problem that disrupted service on the North-South Line on Thursday night.
Senior vice-president of Communications and Services, Goh Chee Kong said this in an interview with MediaCorp at about 10.00 am.
In the service breakdown on Thursday, a misalignment between the special components - the train track and 'collector shoes' - that trains draw power from, had caused the fault.
Calls to Channel NewsAsia on Saturday's service disruption started coming in at about 7.00 am.
One caller, Jeannie said that at about 6.50 am, she and other passengers who were in a train near City Hall MRT were asked to evacuate the train and had to walk along the tunnel after "the doors got stuck".
Another caller said at 7.21 am that when service on the North-South Line broke down towards Marina Bay, an announcement was made about the breakdown but no reason was given.
On Wednesday, parts of the Circle Line were affected by a technical glitch during morning peak hours.
A day later, a service breakdown on the North-South Line caused commuter chaos during evening peak hours.
Callers told Channel NewsAsia on Saturday that they saw the SMS alert to taxi drivers informing them of the breakdown.
One caller said the alert was more "diplomatic", stating "FYI: train breakdown both directions".
She was referring to a similar message sent on Thurday night to inform SMRT drivers of an "income opportunity" following the train disruption.
The message was posted online by a passenger and went viral instantly, drawing heavy criticism.
SMRT had admitted that the alert was "insensitive" and a "very bad mistake".
The breakdown came a day after SMRT CEO Saw Phaik Hwa apologised for Thursday's glitch which affected 127,000 passengers, including 1,000 trapped in each of the four stalled trains.
- CNA/cc
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1171888/1/.html
