SINGAPORE:

Commuters using the East-West Line are in for more frustrating delays as train services between Jurong East and Buona Vista will not resume on Monday, September 30, as initially planned. This disruption follows the discovery of serious issues that have arisen during weekend stress tests conducted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and rail operator SMRT.

Authorities had previously expressed optimism about restoring services by Monday; however, the situation has worsened. In a statement released on Sunday, LTA and SMRT announced that during testing, 12 new cracks were identified along the unreplaced rail segments on the westbound tracks stretching from Clementi to Ulu Pandan Depot—an alarming development that poses significant safety risks.

The cracks reportedly stem from damage inflicted by a faulty train that had been returning to the depot earlier in the week. This incident resulted in extensive damage along the tracks, bringing the total number of cracks detected to 46, spanning a 2.55 km area between Dover and beyond Clementi stations.

SMRT President Lam Sheau Kai expressed his gratitude for commuters' patience, emphasizing that comprehensive testing and repairs would be undertaken before normal services could recommence. "We will need more time to fix these new cracks," he noted. Authorities are committed to conducting rigorous checks to ensure safety before reopening the line to passengers.

Commuter Alternatives

Commuters are urged to utilize complimentary bus services that have been arranged between Boon Lay and Queenstown stations, as well as bridging bus services from Jurong East to Buona Vista. Additionally, shuttle train services are operational between Buona Vista and Queenstown, and from Jurong East to Boon Lay, ensuring commuters have alternative travel options during this downtime.

Chronology of Disruptions: A Weekend of Chaos

The chaos began on the morning of Wednesday, when a defective train’s axle box fell onto the tracks, resulting in a bogie detachment between Dover and Clementi. The incident not only disrupted service across nine stations but also inflicted serious damage to 1.6 km of rail, including breaks, power cables, and essential track equipment.

Over the weekend, engineers worked tirelessly to assess and repair the damage, only to uncover the new cracks that will require additional attention. Initial plans for a single-line shuttle service between Jurong East and Buona Vista have now been postponed indefinitely.

Travelers should prepare for potential further delays as authorities prioritize the safety of the rail system. The LTA and SMRT have reassured the public that all measures are being taken to restore service as swiftly as possible while maintaining necessary safety standards.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, and keep an eye on alternative transport methods if you're planning to travel along the East-West Line!