Train Services Between Punggol & Buangkok Disrupted During Morning Rush
The usual early morning rush at MRT stations is no joke, with some people comparing it to that of Japan’s.
On Thursay (27 Feb) morning, Singaporeans living along several North-East Line (NEL) stations met with one of their worst nightmares once again.
Image courtesy of MS News reader
According to The Straits Times, train services between Punggol and Buangkok MRT stations on the NEL were disrupted due to a power fault.
Video courtesy of MS News reader
As a result, long queues were seen at the stations. Some even joke that it looks like the queues at immigration checkpoints when you’re going to JB.
SBS Transit tweeted about power fault affecting Punggol & Buangkok at 6am
Although SBS transit tweeted at 6am that regular train services were available only between Harbourfront and Buangkok MRT stations, many did not manage to receive the news.
Due to a power fault, regular NEL svc is available btwn NE1 HarbourFront and NE15 Buangkok. Shuttle train svc operates btwn NE17 Punggol and NE15 Buangkok.
— SBS Transit (@SBSTransit_Ltd) February 26, 2020
This led to very long queues in various stations of the NEL, which led people to start joking about how it looks like a queue to get your passport stamped at “Sengkang Checkpoint”.
It really does look rather similar to the actual queue at Woodlands Checkpoint, we’d say.
Waiting time panel indicated 27 minutes
With Singaporeans shocked by the already long queues, the waiting time panel made the panic even worst.
One netizen, who was at Hougang station this morning, was shocked when he saw the waiting time panel indicating 27 minutes more till the next train.
Video from Telegram
Oh man. Feels bad.
Grab prices reached $40
When MS News checked prices on Grab from Punggol to Boon Keng station, the price was an unbelievable $40.
Massive queues at Punggol MRT
Source
This probably explains why there were still so many people willing to wait for the NEL despite the announcements.
Thankfully, the situation was remedied as SBS Transit provided free regular bus services between the 2 affected stations.
Repair works currently underway
Repair works are currently underway. At 10.35am, SBS Transit tweeted that train services won’t be available between Hougang and Punggol due to this.
To facilitate repair works from about 10.40am, train service will not be available between NE14 Hougang and NE17 Punggol. Free regular and bridging buses will continue to be available at these four stations.
— SBS Transit (@SBSTransit_Ltd) February 27, 2020
Free regular and bridging buses will continue to be available at the 4 affected stations.
What happened this morning was undeniably chaotic. But it’s good to know that SBS Transit is rolling out frequent updates on the situation.
They’re doing all they can to rectify the breakdown, let us be patient and understanding during such times.
Let us hope that this will not happen again and that even better services can be provided to help with the morning crowd.
Featured image adapted from Twitter & Facebook.
