https://twitter.com/Riodemaniaac/status/627064345227169792
An unknown fault between the Bugis and the Tanah Merah MRT stations caused service delays along the East West Line and certain parts of the North-South Line during the peak hour on Friday.
Transport operator, SMRT, which is in charge of these two lines, did not make any announcement on its social media platforms, neither were free bus services activated for the train disruption.
In Exercise Greyhound (2012) carried out jointly by LTA, SBST and SMRT, social media was identified as one of the evaluation criteria for public communication during service disruptions:
“LTA, as the exercise coordinator, assessed SMRT and SBST’s arrangement for free travel on existing public bus services, and the operation of bus shuttle services to provide transport service between the affected MRT stations. They were also tested on public communications, which included promptly informing the public of a service disruption and providing regular updates at the stations and through the media and social media channels such as twitter until normal service is resumed.”
It is thus puzzling why the SMRT did not provide updates on its social media platforms on Friday, particularly on its Twitter and Facebook account pages.
In 2012, SMRT revised the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to start detrainment to track (if necessary), within 30mins from incident occurrence (45mins previously).
Also, the SCDF would be activated in any train-to-track detrainment.
From postings on social media about Friday’s incident, the delay likely occurred during the period between 6.00pm to 7.30pm.
Here are some postings on social media by commuters about the delay on Friday:
WHERE IS THE TRAIN TO AIRPORT?!? SMRT YOU SUCK BIG TIME
— Nicholas David Tan (@noobcholas) July 31, 2015
stucked halfway between marina bay and raffles. mrt just stopped. #SMRT
— Lovely (@im_Lov3Ly) July 31, 2015
On NS Line MRT now to Marina Bay. Train has broken down. AGAIN. Well done #SMRT #SMRTFail #SG50
— Spencer Chong (@exynosx) July 31, 2015
so train fault at tanah merah & everyone is rushing for the pasir ris-bound train at the middle platform GTFO @SMRT_Singapore
— squishy strudel (@okshamalok) July 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/peppermintkid/status/627063726043217920
Train fault as usual. Lack of reporting as usual. #smrt
— 小透明 (@xiaotoumings) July 31, 2015
#sgelections talk: guy ask gal how come #smrt train stop again? gal replied #smrt said the only way to solve this is to increase our fares
— ImSEOKing = SEO Coach Singapore + Eugene SEO King (@ImSEOKing) July 31, 2015
. @SMRT_Singapore never update on delays anymore?? Wed stucked in faulty circle line train + currently stucked in ew line
— Zhen Yang (@zhenyanglee) July 31, 2015
Defective train at Tanah Merah and I am here at Eunos. Of all times it had to be on a 630pm friday. SMRT PLS
— YeeChengXi (@yeechengxi) July 31, 2015
Train has been stuck at Paya Lebar in direction of pasir ris for 5 mins. #smrt what's going on
— 365days2play (@365days2play) July 31, 2015
#sgelections the train stop for 15 mins before moving … no explanation from #smrt train driver watsoever #singapore #train #news
— ImSEOKing = SEO Coach Singapore + Eugene SEO King (@ImSEOKing) July 31, 2015
Thank you @SMRT_Singapore. Your train fault between Bugis and Tanah Merah is making me late for dinner. Awesome job on Fri evening!
— Z A (@zquek) July 31, 2015
Train slow slow at EW line. Can sit down spend some quality time with big ass fans. @SMRT_Singapore
— yongshen (@stizel) July 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/billyjrneO_o/status/627068831379238912
@SMRT_Singapore Eunos station observed very slow movement of trains…my god
— Affa A. (@affaau) July 31, 2015
@SMRT_Singapore quite sire something not right with east-west line! They really shorten MTBF, no joking.
— Affa A. (@affaau) July 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/suehahnah/status/627070959128702976
https://twitter.com/sliderdimension/status/627072060590702592
https://twitter.com/dori_lukey/status/627077074369404928
https://twitter.com/fai_anna/status/627079253813649409
https://twitter.com/CreesterLam/status/627078703890063360
https://twitter.com/wiltedpeonies/status/627087990557257728
