Late train commuters along the Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) experienced delays on Wednesday (7 Nov) evening due to a power failure at Bukit Panjang Station. At first there was no official information from SMRT concerning the power failure and passengers took to social media platforms to inform and to comment as usual.
A passenger posted the information on Tata SMRT Facebook platform, that the train came to a sudden stop and the doors could not open at BPLRT Choa Chu Kang:
Hongming 陳鴻明 wrote at 10:47pm: “BPLRT CCK → BP spoil liao! Sudden power failure at BP station and the train came to a sudden stop, the doors could not open!”
Others also posted information about the BPLRT train disruption on the Facebook platform:
John Robert Lee shared a post from MRT Singapore Service Information, he wrote at 11:23pm: “Technical issues on BPLRT. Delays expected. However, thunderstorms has strucked CCK a few mins ago. Please stay safe if you are heading back home.”
John Robert Lee wrote at 00:00: “Latest update 2356h – Bukit Panjang LRT Service SUSPENDED due to Power Failure Free Shuttle Buses are now available, to accommodate Free Bus Service Operations The problem is expected to last till the end of Train Service.”
Goh Poh Guan wrote at 00:03am: “[BPLRT] No service system-wide due to a power fault. Free regular & bridging bus services are available at all affected stations.”
On Twitter platform, some passengers also shared information and their complaints:
Lrt down. I am faster then them to declare. @smrt
— Jonas Ho (@JonasHo3) November 7, 2018
A commuter, Warren Estrop noted that the LRT had broken down twice this week despite the servicing work done at the service line on every Sunday for two months.
Just a few months ago, the LRT at Bukit Panjang/Choa Chu Kang was stopped completely every Sunday for about roughly 2 months inconveniencing everyone in the area just cuz of a servicing. Just this week the LRT at Bukit Panjang/Choa Chu Kang has broken down twice:/ @SMRT_Singapore pic.twitter.com/FkoUURkmLQ
— Warren Estrop (@warrenestrop) November 7, 2018
@SMRT_Singapore Lrt breakdown at TECK WHYE for 40 mins but still no rescue.emergency line hang up.BLOODY SHIT. OUTSIDE HEAVY RAIN.
— 💖Cutie Nad 💖 (@princessnadiahz) November 7, 2018
About an hour since the fault began, at 11:56pm, SMRT officially informed about the disruption:
[BPLRT] No service system-wide due to a power fault. Free regular & bridging bus services are available at all affected stations.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) November 7, 2018
At 00:26am SMRT wrote that their engineers were taking care of the fault, free regular and bridging bus services were available at the affected stations:
[BPLRT] UPDATE: Our engineers are rectifying the fault. Free regular and bridging bus services are available at affected stations.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) November 7, 2018
But at 00:50am SMRT informed that train service could not resume, free regular and bridging bus services would continue to be available at the affected stations:
[BPLRT] UPDATE: Train service will not resume this evening. Free regular and bridging bus services will continue to be available at affected stations till end of service. We are sorry.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) November 7, 2018
Finally, on Thursday early morning at 5:15am, SMRT informed on Twitter that the fault was cleared, regular train service along the BPLRT will be available:
[BPLRT] CLEARED: Regular services will be available.
— SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) November 7, 2018