SINGAPORE - Commuters faced significant delays on the East-West Line (EWL) as a power fault caused train services to come to a halt around 9:50 AM on September 25.

The transport operator, SMRT, reported the disruption shortly thereafter on its social media channels, announcing that the issue was initially confined to the stretch between Boon Lay and Queenstown Stations. However, by noon, service interruptions had escalated, now impacting travel between Tuas Link and Outram Park in both directions—ultimately affecting a total of eighteen stations.

According to SMRT’s update, the chain of events began around 9:25 AM when a Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) train returning to the Ulu Pandan depot triggered a power trip, leading to a train stall near Clementi station. Station staff were promptly deployed to assist stranded commuters, with in-train and station announcements providing ongoing updates throughout the disruption.

SMRT reassured affected passengers that free regular and bridging bus services were being operated between Boon Lay and Queenstown stations. They expressed their sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused to morning commuters.

Upon arrival at Buona Vista MRT station around 10:25 AM, The Straits Times observed that access to the EWL platform was impeded, with passengers directed to alternative exits for bus services. TransCom officers were present to guide confused travelers.

As the clock approached 11:45 AM, commuters braved inclement weather while disembarking from busy bridging buses. Lines at the bus stops stretched considerably, with wait times toward the central city area ballooning up to 20 minutes.

Personal Stories Highlight Impact of Disruption

Notably, Dimitria Hamzah, a 26-year-old administrative executive traveling with her seven-month-old infant, learned about the disruption only after arriving at the station. "I had planned to hop on another train to Clementi, but thankfully, I’m not in a rush today," she commented.

Meanwhile, Fathiah Sahdan, 74, was affected indirectly. Although she was queuing for a bus near Clementi, the crowds around her alerted her to the disruption. "I can’t get angry about the wait—my blood pressure can't handle it!" she joked with a smile as she offered her seat to others rushing to work.

Young professionals like Gan Yee Ru, age 23, were also impacted. She initially intended to travel from Clementi to Chinatown but chose to book a Grab ride instead due to the growing delays. "I simply couldn’t make my friends wait any longer," she lamented.

While some commuters vented frustrations on social media, expressing concerns over the availability of bridging buses at stations like Buona Vista and Jurong East, others patiently dealt with the chaos.

This incident not only exemplifies the challenges posed by public transportation disruptions but also highlights the resilience and camaraderie of Singapore's commuters in the face of unexpected travel hurdles. Stay tuned for updates as SMRT works diligently to restore service and ensure a smooth commuting experience for all.