Train breakdown along CCL on Saturday evening, massive confusion for passengers affected by service disruption

Train service was disrupted along the Circle Line (CCL)  on Saturday evening due to signaling fault, starting with trains being stuck between Tai Seng – Mac Pherson stations, and Paya Lebar – Dakota stations.

About 6pm tweets from affected and worried passengers started to post questions about their stalled trains on the social media platform:

@SMRT_Singapore train stuck between Tai Seng and MacPherson. Any idea what’s going on?

— Michael (@_m_ichae_l) August 4, 2018

We are stuck between paya lebar and dakota

— Raashplayer (@Raashplayer) August 4, 2018

smrt did maintenance on the tracks this morning and even now it's still fucked up wtf bye

— hakim (@fuelforhakim) August 4, 2018

@SMRT_Singapore We've been stuck at Dakota Station for some time now. I hope you are able to address the issue and inform the passengers what is going on instead of keeping quiet and letting the passengers wait without knowing what would happen.

— teudoongie (@sanatozakiss_) August 4, 2018

Cte train fault on both bounds at stadium now , thanks @LTAsg @SMRT_Singapore @TODAYonline pic.twitter.com/ndhBoTD2Cg

— suhaimi abdullah (@suhaimila) August 4, 2018

I guess the all-knowing God knows about my reluctance to attend a party and has thus, sent me a sign.

Also, please get your act together, @SMRT_Singapore. Send your military leaders to the detention barracks for fuck's sake. pic.twitter.com/7sRujVezPm

— Palace Maid of Princess Taiping (@ToxicConsort) August 4, 2018

At 6:21pm SMRT officially informed that due to signaling fault there was no train service between Tai Seng and Mac Pherson in both directions; free regular bus services were offered:

[CCL]: Due to signalling fault, there is no Train Service between Tai Seng to MacPherson on both bounds. Free regular bus services are available. We apologise for the inconvenience.

— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) August 4, 2018

And at 6:35pm SMRT also tweeted there was no train service between Tai Seng and Mountbatten on both bounds, free bus regular services were available between Bartley and Stadium:

[CCL]: Due to signalling fault, there is no train Service between Taiseng to Mountbatten on both bounds. Free regular bus services are available between Bartley and Stadium.

— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) August 4, 2018

Not long after, TYH complained why trains not serving the affected stations were also not moving; and Mark Zuckervurg explained it was a domino effect:

Please explain why trains not serving the affected stations are not moving.

— TYH (@JoyfulTYH) August 4, 2018

Domino effect lor
Im at serangoooon also not moving

— Mark zuckervurg (@MarkZuckervurg) August 4, 2018

Other commuters complained about the announcement on the trains – or the lack of useful information:

Announcement on train works during train breakdown is unthoughtful and shows a lack of common sense.

— Su (@SuZhenn) August 4, 2018

Hey @SMRT_Singapore I’ve been stuck on your train for 30 mins between promenade and stadium. It would help if you get the conductor to tell us what the hell is going on.

— Suzy T (@born_in_august_) August 4, 2018

At least provide us with some basic information about the estimated delay time. Thank you.

— Mark zuckervurg (@MarkZuckervurg) August 4, 2018

Wtf they chased us out of the train and say there will be no more service towards mtbatten.

This is unacceptable…

— Mark zuckervurg (@MarkZuckervurg) August 4, 2018

We’re still here and still no sound about what’s happening!

— Suzy T (@born_in_august_) August 4, 2018

Nothing more terrifying than being stuck in a tin can underground not knowing what is happening.

— Suzy T (@born_in_august_) August 4, 2018

And Mark Zuckervurg posted some photos of crowds caused by the breakdown outside the station:

You ruined the evening for all these people pic.twitter.com/knxspbVKo2

— Mark zuckervurg (@MarkZuckervurg) August 4, 2018

@SMRT_Singapore thanks for the breakdown, you ruined the evening for all of us #mrt pic.twitter.com/2LDYDAawgQ

— Mark zuckervurg (@MarkZuckervurg) August 4, 2018

At 6:52pm SMRT informed that train service was already available between Tai Seng and Mountbatten, while additional time between Stadium and Bartley was expected:

[CCL Update]: Trains service is available between Tai Seng and Mountbatten. Additional travel time between Stadium and Bartley is expected. Free regular bus services are still available between Stadium and Bartley.

— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) August 4, 2018

But Mark Zuckervurg questioned the promised free bus services, while Eiram tweeted that the buses (drivers) were not informed about it:

Where is the free shuttle bus you promised? @SMRT_Singapore @ch8sg pic.twitter.com/eF9poObCvN

— Mark zuckervurg (@MarkZuckervurg) August 4, 2018

Buses are not updated that there are free bus services. Please fix.

— Eiram (@3iramari3) August 4, 2018

At 7:02pm and 7:13pm SMRT repeated that the CCL train service between Tai Seng and Mountbatten has resumed, stating that additional 5 minutes travel time between Stadium and  Bartley was expected and that free regular bus services were still available between Stadium and  Bartley till 7:30pm:

[CCL Update]: Train service resume between Tai Seng and Mountbatten. Additional 5 minutes travelling time between Stadium and Bartley is expected. Free regular bus services are still available between Stadium and Bartley.

— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) August 4, 2018

[CCL Update]: Train service has resumed between Tai Seng and Mountbatten. Free regular bus service will be available between Stadium and Bartley till 1930hrs.

— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) August 4, 2018

Michelle Hiew explained the reasons of confused information at Tai Seng:

https://twitter.com/hiew_michelle/status/1025704878172041216

And Shahron expressed dissatisfaction with a tweeted photo:

Thanks for ruining my Saturday night fever smrt buto Kau pic.twitter.com/GvToc2SUPv

— Shahron (@False9Ron_lfc) August 4, 2018