SINGAPORE – Commuters on the East-West Line (EWL) are facing continued disruption, as regular train services between Jurong East and Buona Vista will remain suspended on September 26. This pause in service marks a frustrating second day of complications, following a significant power fault that resulted in delays between Boon Lay and Queenstown stations on September 25.

The problematic power issue was reportedly triggered by a malfunctioning mechanical component from a first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) train. In response, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and train operator SMRT have mobilized engineers to conduct recovery work throughout the night, but officials acknowledge that the necessary repairs will take additional time due to extensive damage to the tracks.

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat has assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the disruption, aiming to prevent future incidents. "We are deeply sorry and thank all commuters for their understanding and patience as we work swiftly to restore services to normal," stated SMRT.

To alleviate the impact on commuters, particularly students sitting for important examinations, SMRT is providing free regular bus services between Boon Lay and Queenstown stations, along with free bridging bus services for those traveling between Jurong East and Buona Vista stations. Additionally, shuttle train services will operate between Buona Vista and Queenstown stations, and Jurong East to Boon Lay stations at 10-minute intervals.

In light of the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) occurring on September 26, the Ministry of Transport is collaborating with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) to minimize consequences for students. SEAB has reassured candidates that late arrivals due to the disruptions will not incur penalties, as long as they reach their examination centers before the end of the allotted time.

However, the disruption has taken a toll on many commuters, with reports of delays exceeding an hour for individuals heading to work. Authorities have encouraged alternative transport arrangements and keeping up to date via social media channels and the MyTransport app.

As commuters expressed confusion regarding bus and train arrangements in the first morning rush post-disruption, officials were present at stations to guide passengers. Despite efforts to communicate the changes, some commuters experienced challenges, particularly during peak hours and inclement weather.

This incident, unfortunately, is not unique, as public transport disruptions have aligned with examination periods in the past. In 2017, for instance, a train fault led to a three-hour delay; however, no PSLE candidates were adversely affected.

In light of these recent power failures, it raises questions about the reliability of the EWL, particularly after an extensive $2.6 billion renewal program completed in 2023 that aimed to upgrade multiple core systems such as the signaling and power supply systems. Will these recent issues spark more significant concerns about the long-term reliability of Singapore's train network?

Stay tuned for further updates as the situation unfolds—your daily commute may depend on it!