Singapore
Bukit Panjang LRT service disruption on 22 October
SMRT reported a train fault on the Bukit Panjang LRT line on 22 October, affecting evening services. Shuttle trains were deployed between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang, with free bus services also available. This breakdown follows a similar disruption on the East-West Line earlier in October.
On Tuesday, 22 October 2024, transport operator SMRT announced on Facebook that train services along the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) line were disrupted due to a train fault.
The incident occurred in the early evening, affecting commuters during a typically busy period.
At 5:56 PM, SMRT posted the initial update, stating that normal train services were disrupted due to the fault.
The announcement mentioned that shuttle train services were still running between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang stations, while services between Bukit Panjang and Petir via Service A, and between Bukit Panjang and Senja via Service B, remained unaffected.
By 6:03 PM, SMRT provided another update, notifying commuters that free regular bus services had been made available between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang, providing an alternative for those impacted by the disruption. The operator apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
A photo circulating online, reportedly taken at Teck Whye, showed an LRT train pushing another train from behind.
However, no further details were provided regarding the exact cause of the breakdown or how long the disruption would last.
This incident marks the latest in a series of disruptions affecting parts of Singapore’s public transport system managed by SMRT.
Earlier in October, another significant breakdown occurred on the East-West Line (EWL), with train services delayed on 10 October.
On that occasion, a first-generation westbound Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) train broke down near Tiong Bahru MRT station at around 12:30 PM, causing delays for commuters.
All passengers safely disembarked at Outram Park station, and train services were restored by 1:22 PM after the train was moved to a depot. The incident was attributed to an electrical fault.
These breakdowns follow an even more severe disruption on 25 September, when a faulty KHI train caused significant damage to tracks and trackside equipment on another section of the EWL.
That incident, which required repairs over six days, impacted 2.6 million commuters. Many passengers, including students, faced delays, with some reportedly late for their exams.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed that thorough checks were carried out on the first-generation KHI trains following the September incident to ensure they were fit for service.
The Bukit Panjang LRT line, which opened in 1999, is part of Singapore’s Light Rail Transit system. These lines are designed to act as feeder services to the heavier Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system.
