North-South Line hit by delays again due to signalling fault
Published 1 hour ago
Updated 15 min ago
Christopher Tan
Senior Transport Correspondent
Lydia Lam
Sean Lim
Daniel Wong
SINGAPORE – The North-South MRT line has been hit with a glitch on Friday (June 2), the second day in a row this has happened.
On its Facebook page, SMRT said: “Due to a signalling fault, North-South Line (NSL) train services in both directions between Kranji and Admiralty stations have been running at a slower speed since 5:05pm.
“NSL commuters are advised to add about 30 minutes to their journey. Free bus and bus bridging services are available between Choa Chu Kang and Yishun.
“Our engineers are working to rectify the situation. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.”
In an update at 5.55pm, it said: “Train services in both directions from the city area to Yishun MRT station, and from Jurong East to Choa Chu Kang MRT stations are still available. However, commuters should allow for additional travelling time due to evening peak.”
This incident came just a day after the same line was disrupted by the trial of a new signalling system. SMRT had described it as a “new signalling system check” then.
The Straits Times understands the fault has to do with a fault in the system’s main server. The new signalling system was installed by Thales. ST also understands that trains are moving at 18kmh.
Neither SMRT or the Land Transport Authority could comment when asked how long the testing period would last.
There were announcements in both English and Chinese at stations and inside the train cabins when The Straits Times took the North-South Line, between Bishan and Ang Mo Kio.
Staff on the Ang Mo Kio platform were present to guide commuters.
The transport operator posted an update on Twitter at 5.35pm, directing commuters to an online directory that listed “alternative travel options” from MRT stations.
“In the event of a train disruption, we encourage commuters to seek alternative travel options,” said SMRT in the directory.
At 5.56pm, SMRT said in an update on its Facebook page that “train services in both directions from the city area to Yishun MRT station, and from Jurong East to Choa Chu Kang MRT stations are still available”.
“However, commuters should allow for additional travelling time due to evening peak,” it said.
continue reading here :
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...cks-for-second
Really good lah SMRT & LTA . New equipment also have problem . Do you guys know how to do your job or not ? Why can’t the Singapore Government sack the SMRT CEO and Managing Director ( Trains) . It is obvious by now they can’t do their jobs at all . Can the commuters sue SMRT ; LTA and Ministry of Transport or not ?
SMRT locomotive ‘derailed’ at Ulu Pandan Depot
Published 4 hours ago
Tan Tam Mei
SINGAPORE - The front wheels of an SMRT locomotive used to haul maintenance vehicles jumped the rail while crossing a junction at Ulu Pandan Depot on Wednesday (June 7).
The Straits Times had view of an internal message which said a locomotive had “derailed” at the depot serving passenger trains for SMRT’s North-South and East-West lines.
The locomotives are used to propel maintenance vehicles and other machinery.
The incident happened before train services started at 5.30am.
SMRT’s vice-president for corporate information and communications, Mr Patrick Nathan, told ST: “The locomotive was hauling a track tamping vehicle back to the depot after carrying out night time work. No train launches were affected.”
ST understands that two passenger trains meant for the peak hour service could not be used because of the incident. Passenger trains from other tracks were launched instead.
The incident also did not cause a delay in train services on Wednesday.
continue reading here :
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...u-pandan-depot
Such a serious incident . Another new problem occurs . Luckily no one injured .
Man arrested after leaving luggage bag unattended at Admiralty MRT Station
Published: 10:54 PM, June 7, 2017
SINGAPORE — A 34-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday (June 7) after he left a luggage bag unattended at Admiralty MRT Station, at least the fourth such incident in the last two months.
The police were alerted at 8.45am to the unattended bag at the bicycle bay beside Admiralty MRT Station.
With help from SMRT staff, the police managed to quickly track down the owner of the luggage bag at the train station. He was arrested on the spot, the police said in a statement.
Preliminary investigations revealed that he decided to leave the bag unattended while he made a purchase at a convenience store. TODAY understands the owner of the bag is a Bangladeshi national.
Personal effects such as clothing, toiletries and medication were found in his bag. Police investigations are still ongoing.
In May, two men were arrested after they left three bags unattended at Aljunied MRT station. The three bags contained only food and household items.
In April, there were two similar false alarms. The first involved Wang Jianpo, a Chinese national, who left a blue luggage bag unattended at Hougang MRT station, causing a brief shutdown of the station. He was charged on Wednesday (May 17) with causing public nuisance.
The second incident in April involved a suspicious substance found at Woodleigh MRT station, which was later found to be flour used by a running group to mark a route.
continue reading here :
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore...ty-mrt-station
Why people never learn .
Maximum S$1,000 fine for man who caused security scare at Hougang MRT Station
By Siau Ming En
Published: 11:00 AM, June 9, 2017
Updated: 12:08 PM, June 9, 2017
SINGAPORE – A district court imposed the maximum S$1,000 fine on a 39-year-old construction worker on Friday (June 9) after he left a blue suitcase unattended on the platform of Hougang MRT Station, triggering a security scare.
Wang Jianpo, a China national, was charged with causing public nuisance six weeks after the incident on April 2, where the station was closed for more than an hour as the authorities investigated the suitcase.
The court heard that Wang had collected the suitcase from a friend at Buangkok Crescent earlier that day before making his way to Hougang MRT station to take the train to Chinatown to run a few errands.
He decided to place the suitcase unattended against the wall of the train platform before taking the train down to Chinatown MRT station at about 2.10pm.
About 15 minutes later, a Chinese couple spotted the suitcase and alerted the station staff, who in turn, reported the matter to the operations control centre of the North-East Line.
The line’s operator SBS Transit subsequently made the call to evacuate and shut the station for security reasons. Trains continued to run on the line but bypassed Hougang station.
Commuters were told to avoid the station while the authorities investigated the security incident. The station only re-opened some 85 minutes later at 4.03pm.
Wang was arrested at about 4.40pm after officers spotted him at the train platform. He had returned to Hougang MRT station to retrieve his suitcase, which contained household items, after completing his errands.
By then, 36 trains had bypassed Hougang MRT station and 29 free passing bus services were deployed. About 663 commuters were evacuated from the station and some 3,521 commuters were affected by the incident.
In urging the court to impose the maximum fine of S$1,000, Deputy Public Prosecutor Daphne Lim said this case was one of the most serious instances of public nuisance.
continue reading here :
Delays on NSL as work week begins
Published: 9:45 AM, June 12, 2017
Updated: 12:09 PM, June 12, 2017
SINGAPORE — Commuters starting their work week on Monday (June 12) were frustrated by train delays during the morning rush hour, due to signalling faults along the North-South Line.
SMRT told commuters via its Twitter feed around 9.20am to add 20 minutes to their commute if they were travelling between Choa Chu Kang and Jurong East stations. About 30 minutes later, SMRT announced that the delay had been cleared, with trains progressively returning to normal speed.
Passengers took their grievances to Facebook, stating they were stuck in stationary trains. Facebook user Janet Soh said that she was stuck in a train for 30 minutes.
continue reading here :
http://m.todayonline.com/monday-blue...d-train-delays
New equipment also breakdown . What is happening SMRT & LTA ? Why can’t the PM sack the CEO of SMRT ? Problem is still not solve . Many people late for work . What a disgrace.
East-West Line hit by midweek delays, fourth time track fault snarls commute in June
Published: 10:59 AM, June 14, 2017
Updated: 11:41 AM, June 14, 2017
SINGAPORE – Commuters travelling to work during the morning rush hour on Wednesday (June 14) were affected by train delays caused by a track circuit fault at the Buona Vista station along the East-West Line (EWL).
The fault has yet to be rectified, more than three hours after train operator SMRT first announced it via Twitter around 8.15am.
Commuters were initially told to add 15 minutes to their commute between City Hall and Dover stations. The delay worsened to 25 minutes at one stage.
As of 11.30am, SMRT has yet to resume normal train service on the affected stretch of the EWL.
Wednesday’s delay makes it the second such incident for SMRT this week, and fourth for the month.
On Monday, a signaling fault at 9.20am on the North-South Line added an additional 20 minutes of travel time for commuters travelling between Choa Chu Kang and Jurong East.
There were two other delays on the NSL on the first two days of June, following the start of SMRT’s weekday signalling tests.
In a blog post made last week, SMRT said that the June holidays presented the “best opportunity” to carry out tests on the new signalling system as there are not enough engineering hours — from 1.30am to 4.30am each day — to adequately test the system.
continue reading here :
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore...s-commute-june
Employers please do not punish your workers for being late to work . It is NOT their fault . In fact you should sue SMRT & LTA for the disruption in train services .
Man arrested for leaving unattended bags at Aljunied MRT station
16 Jun 2017 10:05PM (Updated: 16 Jun 2017 10:30PM)
SINGAPORE: A 27-year-old man was arrested for causing public alarm after he left two bags unattended at Aljunied MRT station on Friday (Jun 16).
The police were alerted to the unattended bags at the train station shortly after 10am.
With the information provided by the SMRT staff, officers from the Bedok Police Division and Public Transport Security Command traced and detained the owner of the bags near the station.
Preliminary investigations showed that the man had intentionally left his bags at the station and gone to a nearby coffee shop.
The two bags were later found to contain personal clothing and food items.
Police investigations are ongoing. If convicted, he may be fined up to S$1,000.
This is the fourth case involving unattended bags at MRT stations, since the SGSecure movement was launched.
In April, Chinese national Wang Jianpo left a suitcase at the Hougang MRT station platform while he ran an errand, sparking a security scare which temporarily shut down the station. He received the maximum fine of S$1,000.
In May, two men were arrested for causing public alarm by leaving their bags unattended at the concourse of Aljunied MRT station while they went to the toilet. On Jun 7, a 34-year-old man was caught for the same offence after leaving a luggage bag at the bicycle bay of Admiralty MRT station.
Read more at
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...tation-8953402
Why these people never learn .
Wet platforms at Tuas West Extension’s open house
By Kenneth Cheng,Megan Ng
Published 7:55 AM, June 16, 2017
Updated 8:05 AM, June 16, 2017
SINGAPORE — More than an hour after a public preview of the Tuas West Extension (TWE) to the East-West Line kicked off on Friday (June 16), the fanfare was somewhat dampened by wet platforms at several stations.
When TODAY was at the Tuas Crescent stop — one of the extension’s four new stations — about 1.20pm, rain was seen entering the station from above and the sides of the platform. Over at Gul Circle, the east-bound platform was also completely wet at about 2pm, and cleaners were out in force.
In response to TODAY’s queries, a spokesperson for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the stations are designed to allow natural light to enter from the roof and the side louvres. This is to give the stations “an airy and bright feel”.
“During heavy downpours, we are aware that rainwater can come through the side louvres… We will be implementing measures to prevent this,” the spokesperson added.
The wet platform at Tuas Crescent had led some commuters, such as retiree Khoo Poh Choon, 68, to believe that there were “holes in the roof”.
Commuters were seen filing down the staircases to seek shelter. Within minutes, parts of the platform were completely wet and SMRT staff members were seen deploying “Caution, Wet Floor” signs.
“Why is it so wet?… The platform’s so slippery and a lot of workers may run the risk of falling,” he told TODAY.
He suggested that “additional shelter” should be provided.
This is not the first time rainwater had seeped into the station.
A 65-year-old cleaner, who gave his name only as Mr Ng, said he has worked at Tuas Crescent for 10 days and had seen half the platform become completely wet on two occasions when thunderstorms occurred.
continue reading here :
Panel to explore ways to make public transport more family-friendly
Published: 4:00 AM, June 23, 2017
SINGAPORE — A new advisory panel has been formed to make recommendations on developing a more family-friendly public transport system, Senior Minister of State (Transport) Lam Pin Min said yesterday.
The panel will be co-chaired by Mr Richard Magnus, chairman of the Public Transport Council (PTC), and Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport.
“A family-friendly public transport system lies at the heart of a family-friendly nation.
“My aspiration is that families who now own cars because they need to ferry their children or their elderly parents, will not need to do so any more in the future,” said Dr Lam in a Facebook post.
The Family-Friendly Transport Advisory Panel will comprise representatives from diverse backgrounds, and “they will also consult widely”, added Dr Lam, who is also Senior Minister of State (Health).
Mr Magnus said the new panel “will allow us to pay closer attention to the needs of our commuters, especially parents who travel with young children or elderly dependents”.
“This is in line with PTC’s existing advisory role to the Transport Minister on transport matters, as we continue to look at ways to make our public transport system more inclusive,” he added.
Expressing a similar sentiment, Mr Sitoh said he is encouraged by the formation of this panel “as it will allow us to take a deeper look at how we can create a transport system that is more inclusive for all commuters”.
continue reading here :
Potential delays on North-South Line as ‘intensive performance checks’ continue: LTA, SMRT
27 Jun 2017 03:50PM (Updated: 27 Jun 2017 04:00PM)
SINGAPORE: Commuters taking the MRT on the North-South Line (NSL) may experience some delay in the coming weeks, as engineers continue to test a new signalling system beyond the June holiday period.
In a joint statement on Tuesday (Jun 27), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and transport operator SMRT said they will continue to “conduct intensive performance checks and deploy new software to improve the system”.
“During this period, commuters may continue to experience some delay when travelling on NSL, if new issues emerge. We seek your continued understanding and patience, as our team works round the clock to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.”
LTA and SMRT have been conducting tests since Mar 28, together with Thales, the supplier of the signalling system. Tests first started with the last hour of passenger service on selected weekdays, and progressed to full-day trials on weekdays that began on May 29.
According to the joint statement, the trials so far have allowed engineers to fine tune the system and rectify teething problems.
For instance, the alignment of train and platform doors at all stations have improved, and train service intervals are better regulated. It added that operations controllers and train captains have also overcome initial issues in using the system, and “significantly reduced” incidents of trains overshooting the platforms.
Full-day trials of the system had resulted in rush-hour delays earlier this month, prompting some commuters to question why tests had to be done during peak hours.
SMRT had explained that tests must be conducted all day to “accumulate adequate testing hours” to ensure that any teething issues can be sorted out.
“LTA and SMRT have been working very closely with Thales to identify and resolve issues. Once an issue is identified, a team of engineers analyses it and identifies suitable remedial action such as the implementation of a new software so that the issue can be quickly rectified," said LTA’s project director for re-signalling Tan Yih Long on Tuesday.
Read more at
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...rmance-8981668
Checks after checks after checks ? How many checks you want to do ? Commuters better to plan alternative route .