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The Downtown Line (DTL) train service experienced a delay on Monday (29 Oct) late afternoon through the evening due to a train fault, according to commuters' posts on the social media platforms.
Tweets from passengers started at nearly 5pm, informing about the delay and asking for information::
#DTL train delay due to train fault since 5.40pm, stuck at Kaki Bukit Station (DT28) as of now.#SBSTransit #DowntownLine #Singapore
— 源发 (@BusyMrX) October 29, 2018
DTL svc between Expo & Bukit Panjang is delayed due to a train fault. Additional travelling time 10 mins may be expected. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.
— apit fiq (@5621ap) October 29, 2018
There was no official announcement from SBS Transit and commuters kept tweeting about the delay:
@SMRT_Singapore hi. Any idea on the train fault of downtown line? How long will it be resolved? Any updates please
— shashakibuta (@shashakibuta) October 29, 2018
@SBSTransit_Ltd DTL Telok Ayer station - trains to Changi Airport and Bukit Panjang not moving for past 15 minutes. Avoid!!
— Kelvin Wee (@gtcalpha) October 29, 2018
Divya Baiji posted a complaint for waiting more than 30 minutes with no concrete information:
Living in #Singapore for three years and experienced my first major delay on @SMRT_Singapore Downtown line (the newest train line). It's been over 30 mins and still no concrete information. Is this how a developed country works?
— Divya Balji (@divyabalji) October 29, 2018
And below is a sequence of tweets between a tourist and a fellow Singaporean, showing the situations and feelings along the delay:
Still waiting, wondering if we should get off
— Wondering Wizard (@WonderingW1zard) October 29, 2018
It's out of service now! pic.twitter.com/lTO9TtoxiA
— S S (@suansiew) October 29, 2018
Are the trains always like this? Here on vacation and will need to get back to my hotel. Bought round trip but maybe a taxi would be wiser. @SMRT_Singapore @signapore
— Wondering Wizard (@WonderingW1zard) October 29, 2018
@stb_sg I i defer your question to @stb_sg. I must apologise to you for my country.
— S S (@suansiew) October 29, 2018
Spoke to soon, stopped after 1 stop again, it is going to take all night to get to our destination. Wonder if they will give refund
— Wondering Wizard (@WonderingW1zard) October 29, 2018
@SBSTransit_Ltd refund our time? Perhaps in your dream since we have 'time' now in the train before you reach your destination.
— S S (@suansiew) October 29, 2018
OMG we finally made it, part of the adventure I guess. #travel #Singapore #Delays
— Wondering Wizard (@WonderingW1zard) October 29, 2018
Congratulation hope you had a #joyride
— S S (@suansiew) October 29, 2018
Passangers also took to TATA SMRT Facebook platform to inform about the DTL delay:
Leon Khor shared a photo; he wrote at 5:45pm: "Some problem with Downtown line. Large crowd at Promenade station."
Alan Charles Yap wrote at 5:49pm: "Reports of delay along Downtown Line. Please factor additional travel time or seek alternative mode of transport."
Alan Charles Yap wrote at 5:52pm: "**SERVICE DELAY (DOWNTOWN LINE)** DTL service between Expo & Bukit Panjang is delayed due to a train fault. Additional travelling time 10 mins may be expected. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused."
John Robert Lee shared a post from MRT Singapore Service Information; he wrote 5:58pm: "DTL will be Delayed for an indefinite amount of time. Updates will be given if further information is received."
Jack Tan shared a photo at 6:05pm; he wrote: "Crowd forming at Botanic Gardens."
Leon Khor wrote at 6:10pm: "Downtown line moving but with intermittent stops."
Alan Charles Yap kept updating on the Facebook until the fault has been resolved:
Alan Charles Yap wrote at 6:11pm: "**SERVICE DELAY (DOWNTOWN LINE) 2ND UPDATE** DTL service between Expo & Bukit Panjang both bound is delayed due to a train fault. Additional travelling time 20 mins may be expected. Free passing-by buses activated between DT14-BGS to DT26-MPS both directions. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused."
Alan Charles Yap posted a photo at 6:21pm; he wrote: "With regards to the delay along DTL, FREE bus rides on any bus services are available at affected bus stops between DT14 Bugis and DT26/CC10 MacPherson stations. It will be indicated by a flashing orange blinker light (as shown in photo) at affected bus stops. Passengers need not tap their cards or pay cash fares during this period of time. Stay tuned for more updates.
Alan Charles Yap wrote at 6:27pm: "**SERVICE DELAY (DOWNTOWN LINE) 3RD UPDATE** Normal train service has resumed. Free passing by buses still available between DT14 Bugis (BGS) and DT26/CC10 MacPherson (MPS)."
Alan Charles Yap wrote at 6:37pm: "***SERVICE DELAY (DOWNTOWN LINE) FINAL UPDATE*** Normal train service has resumed. Free passing by buses has ceased."
And the official tweets that the service has resumed from SBS Transit:
Normal train service has resumed. Free passing by buses still available between DT14 Bugis and DT26 MacPherson.
— SBS Transit (@SBSTransit_Ltd) October 29, 2018
Normal train service has resumed. Free passing by buses has ceased.
— SBS Transit (@SBSTransit_Ltd) October 29, 2018