SINGAPORE: Commutes turned into a nightmare for many early on Monday morning (September 30) as a local Reddit user alerted others about extensive queues at the Boon Lay MRT station, which stretched all the way into the bus interchange.

The user shared a photo capturing the overwhelming line, unprecedented in recent days, and warned potential travelers that waiting times could reach up to 1.5 hours just to get through the gantry. “Please avoid taking the MRT; it will only worsen later at peak hours,” the user cautioned, encouraging commuters to consider the free bridging bus service instead.

Background of Service Disruption

This ongoing challenge stems from issues that began last Wednesday when train services on the East-West Line were severely disrupted. A 35-year-old KHI train encountered a technical fault, resulting in smoke while en route to the Ulu Pandan Depot. This incident damaged the power cable and led to a significant power trip across the line, prompting shuttle trains and additional bus services to support stranded commuters.

Current Situation

Despite plans for a complete resumption of train services on Monday morning, SMRT later announced that additional time would be needed to ensure the safety of commuters, pushing the expected resumption date to Tuesday, October 1.

Commuter Frustrations

As frustrations mounted, one Reddit user stuck in the lengthy queue expressed disbelief at the train frequency, which was set at once every 7 minutes. Others shared similar experiences, noting that queues were not only heavy at Boon Lay but also at stations heading towards Tuas. Describing the situation, one commuter remarked, “The queue is beyond ridiculous now. It’s wrapping around the bus interchange and spilling back outside the station.”

Weather Complications

The constant rain has only added to the delays, with one commenter suggesting that transportation officials should try using the MRT daily during the disruption to fully understand the commuting ordeal.

Conclusion

This incident underscores the growing frustrations commuters face amid aging transport infrastructure and highlights the urgent need for efficient alternatives, particularly for those relying heavily on public transportation in Singapore. Could this be a wake-up call for officials to improve systems before the next major disruption? Only time will tell.