50 commuters were stuck in stalled TEL train for over 1.5 hours during morning disruption
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SINGAPORE - About 50 commuters were stuck in a train for more than 1½ hours on Wednesday (April 27) morning owing to a train fault in the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL).
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In a Facebook update at about 9am, rail operator SMRT said the fault between Woodlands and Woodlands South stations occurred at 6.30am.
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The passengers were able to disembark at Woodlands station at about 8.10am, SMRT added, noting that there was full lighting and ventilation in the stalled train.
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âOur engineers were immediately activated... Â to rectify the fault,â it added.
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Train services between Woodlands North and Caldecott stations were slower as a result of the incident.
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In an earlier update on Twitter at 7.31am, SMRT said: âDue to a track signal fault, trains are moving slower between Woodlands North and Caldecott in both directions.â
Free regular bus and bridging services between the stations were made available.
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Commuters were unable to get into Woodlands North station at 8.45am as the gantries were closed. A sign directed commuters to take the free bus service to Caldecott station instead and advised them to add 25 minutes to their travelling time.
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A commuter told The Straits Times that she took 30 minutes to get from Woodlands to Woodlands North station, a journey that normally takes two minutes.
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At 9.01am, SMRT said on Twitter that train services were progressively recovering.Â
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It updated at 9.09am that services had resumed.
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âWe are sorry for affecting your commute,â SMRT said in a tweet and Facebook.
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When ST visited Woodlands station at 9.10am, train services had resumed.Â
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Mr R. Kumar, 40, who arrived at the station at 8.45am, said he was told by staff that bridging bus services were available. However, even after half an hour, the bus did not come.Â
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The public servant said: âI think the staff did what they could, they guided people on where to go and how to find alternative transport.
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âBut when thereâs a train breakdown, the bridging bus usually comes more often. The bus did not come at all, so we took the train in the end.â
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As a result of the delay, Mr Kumar boarded the train at 9.20am and was late for a meeting with clients at his workplace in Upper Thomson.Â
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Another commuter, who wanted to be known only as Ms Tan, 27, said: âI can understand the situation, itâs not the first train breakdown I have heard of.â
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The quantity surveyor in a construction firm added: âBut I was surprised because the Thomson-East Coast Line is a new line.â
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Auto, H. (2022b, April 27). 50 commuters were stuck in stalled TEL train for over 1.5 hours during morning disruption. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/train-services-on-thomson-east-coast-line-slower-due-to-track-signal-fault-smrt