NSL, DTL train services hit by disruptions due to 'signalling faults' on Friday

UPDATE: SMRT tweeted at 9.22am that “train services between Marina South Pier and Sembawang have resumed” and that the free bus regular services and bridging services have ended. SBS Transit updated that trains are running normally on the Downtown Line.

Commuters headed to work on Friday (18 Aug) were hit by not one, but two disruptions to train services, both due to “signalling faults”.

Passengers on the problem-plagued North-South Line (NSL) were advised to add 45 minutes of travel time between Sembawang and Marina South Pier, with train operator SMRT later updating “Please take other MRT lines or seek alternative transport towards city area” on Twitter.

Services on the Downtown line were also unavailable until 7am, with SBS Transit advising commuters to expect a longer waiting time of about 15 minutes “as trains are progressively being put into service”.

Both SMRT and SBS Transit said the disruptions were due to a “signalling fault”. It is unclear if the two are related.

Free bus rides and bridging bus services are being provided along both lines. SMRT said it was providing free regular bus service between Choa Chu Kang and Jurong East, while SBS Transit said it was providing free bus rides and bridging bus services at designated bus stops near affected stations.

Just the evening before on Thursday (17 Aug), rush-hour passengers on the NSL were told to add up to 45 minutes of train travel time between Marina South Pier and Sembawang due to a “New Signalling System” fault near Ang Mo Kio.

In July, SMRT Trains CEO Lee Ling Wee said that the operator had “no choice” but to conduct checks for the new signalling system on the North-South and East-West Line (NSEWL) throughout the day, even during weekday peak hours.