Bukit Panjang LRT train ‘immobilised’, service disrupted for 5 hours & eventually ends earlier

Bukit Panjang LRT service disrupted by faulty train whose tyre deflated: SMRT

Update (23 Oct, 7.15am): Train service between Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang LRT stations has resumed after staff worked overnight to restore the system. SMRT said on Facebook at 5.07am that its engineers “successfully repaired the short segment of power rail and brought the faulty train back to the depot for further checks”.

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During the evening rush hour on Tuesday (21 Oct), a Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) train became “immobilised” on the track.

This resulted in service being disrupted for about five hours and eventually ending early.

Bukit Panjang LRT service disrupted due to train fault

SMRT first informed the public about the disruption in a Facebook post at 5.56pm, saying that normal BPLRT service was affected due to a “train fault”.

While only a shuttle train service was available between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang stations, the loop service from Bukit Panjang through Petir and Senja stations was not affected in both directions.

At 6.30pm, SMRT said free regular bus services between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang were available.

Bukit Panjang LRT service disrupted when train became ‘immobilised’

At 7.05pm, SMRT updated in another post that the BPLRT disruption started at 5.20pm when a train became “immobilised” near Teck Whye station.

After passengers had safely disembarked, a rescue train was deployed to move the faulty train back to the depot.

However, on its way back to the depot, “the rescue train also stalled”, said SMRT.

This sentence was later edited to “the rescue train was unable to successfully move the faulty train”.

BPLRT train comes to a stop on track, sparks emitted

A video shared by Channel NewsAsia (CNA) on YouTube showed a BPLRT train coming to a stop with a “bang” as sparks flew out from its undercarriage.

Smoke was later seen billowing from beneath the train.

Later, a technician was seen climbing into the stationary train.

Commuters stuck at Bukit Panjang felt anxious

On TikTok, a commuter posted that she was stuck at Bukit Panjang station with several others, sharing a video of a packed platform.

She added that she had to pick up her son but couldn’t get to Choa Chu Kang, with many other commuters getting anxious.

In the comment section, she lamented that she couldn’t find the bus stop.

She later posted a photo of a stationary train just outside Teck Whye station.

BPLRT service ends 1.5 hours earlier than normal

In an update at 9.48pm, SMRT announced that train service between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang would end at 10pm — about 1.5 hours earlier than normal.

The transport operator said at 9.55pm that the early closure was for “urgent repair works”.

This was found to be necessary after engineers had assessed the situation.

Tyre deflated on faulty train, causing contact with power rail

At 11.43pm, SMRT gave an explanation on the situation, saying that a tyre on the faulty train deflated as it was being hauled back to the depot.

This caused the train to sag on one end, and a bar underneath the carriage to make contact with the power rail.

To prevent further damage, the train has to be jacked up so the deflated tyre can be replaced. The train must then be restored to its correct height before being hauled back to the depot again.

It added that SMRT engineers and technicians will be working through the night so normal service can be restored as soon as possible.

Also read: LRT services in Sengkang & Punggol down for almost 5 hours due to ‘signalling fault’

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Featured image adapted from @bajiufang on TikTok.