SINGAPORE : It is the first work and school day of
the new year and train services on all lines during the peak-hour
period ran smoothly.
But it was a different scenario during off-peak
hours on the west-bound train service, with some commuters
experiencing delays.
Working adults and students travelling on trains
were off to a good start on Tuesday morning.
While MRT lines were fraught with disruptions last month, there
weren't any major hiccups on Tuesday.
It was the North-South Line that experienced train stoppages on
December 15 and 17 due to power disruptions. But commuters Channel
NewsAsia spoke to on Tuesday morning at Bishan MRT station, which
lies on the North-South Line, weren't too worried about train
delays.
However, there were others who took no chances.
One student said: "I left home late today but there were no delays
on the train."
Another student commented: "The train services were normal and
nothing happened."
A third student noted: "I left early for school today, but the
train suddenly stopped right before Bishan interchange and I was a
bit afraid for a moment."
One commuter said: 'I did not anticipate any train delays so it
should be okay."
But the journey was not that smooth for commuters on the west-bound
service.
One commuter, Ms Koh, told Channel NewsAsia that she experienced a
20-minute delay on her way to Jurong East MRT station.
SMRT said a track signalling fault at Jurong East station was
identified at about 9.15am.
As such, a speed restriction was imposed on the west-bound train
service between Clementi and Jurong East for staff to access the
tracks.
Travelling time between the two stations took about seven minutes
instead of the usual four.
The delay also had a knock-on effect on the west-bound service
going towards Clementi.
And the travelling time between Dover and Jurong East took about 14
minutes instead of the usual six to seven minutes.
The fault was rectified in about half an hour.
- CNA/cc/ms