Boy At Jurong East Station Jams MRT Platform Doors & Delays Train
UPDATE (3 Mar, 9.15am): SMRT confirmed that they are aware of the incident at Jurong East MRT station and have lodged a police report. You may read their full statement below.
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Our public transport system, while efficient, is no stranger to the occasional service disruption which often occurs due to technical faults. However, passengers on the MRT experienced a completely different disruption recently, when a boy tried to stop the platform doors at Jurong East station from closing.
When he did that, the train appeared to be stuck at the platform until a staff member arrived to fix the issue.
The boy, who filmed the act, allegedly uploaded the clip to YouTube but has since deleted the recording. But proving that the Internet is forever, others have reposted the video on social media including Reddit.
Viewers who’ve come across the recording have since commented that they’ve reported the matter to SMRT.
Boy obstructs Jurong East MRT platform doors
A two-minute video on the r/Singapore subreddit shows a child, seemingly a boy, filming himself preventing the platform doors at Jurong East MRT station from closing fully.
Source: Reddit
He seems to succeed as the doors remain unclosed, causing the train to activate a failsafe preventing it from leaving the platform.
“So here’s how you play… oh my gosh,” the boy exclaims as he realises what he has done.
He then moves away from the platform while saying, “Okay, I’m going to move far away so I don’t look like a suspect.”
Source: Reddit
The boy deliberates with himself for a few moments about whether to upload the video to YouTube.
He continues to stand on the platform, laughing at his handiwork. A man who appears to be a station staff member then runs over to the platform doors to fix the issue.
Source: Reddit
“This is so cool,” the boy marvels, while he films the man cleaning up after his act. Meanwhile, an incoming train visibly stops behind the stationary one, likely because it cannot enter the platform.
A few moments later, the train finally leaves the platform.
Source: Reddit
While the delay seemed to have lasted for only about a minute, it was enough time for both trains to fall behind schedule.
Redditors unimpressed by child’s actions
According to the OP who reposted the video, the perpetrator deleted the video on his YouTube channel, but not before admitting that he fled the scene.
Source: Reddit
Others who saw the video were, to put it mildly, unimpressed.
Acts that cause the doors to malfunction are punishable with a fine of up to S$1,000 under the Rapid Transit Systems Regulations.
In response to queries from MS News, the President of SMRT Trains Mr Lam Sheau Kai confirmed that the incident happened. Here’s his statement in full:
On 28 Feb at around 5pm, a commuter on the east-bound station platform at Jurong East MRT station deliberately prevented a platform screen door from closing.
We take a serious view of such behaviour – not only is it dangerous for the person involved, but the irresponsible act could also cause delays to train service, affecting many commuters.
For the safety of everyone, all commuters are advised not to obstruct the doors when the doors are closing.
We have reported this matter to the police.
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Featured image adapted from Reddit.
