Commuters on Singapore’s Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) have experienced significant disruptions recently, with three separate incidents occurring within a week. The ongoing investigations involve the collaboration of SMRT, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), and French train maker Alstom.
Recent Incidents on TEL
The disruptions, which took place on 27 December and 29 December 2023, and 2 January 2024, were caused by various technical faults:
- 27 December: A signalling fault caused multiple trains to receive stop commands, leading to intermittent stoppages for over 2.5 hours. This resulted in delays of up to 15 minutes.
- 29 December: A train experienced intermittent brake faults, affecting the route from Bayshore to Woodlands North, with similar delays.
- 2 January: A train triggered the emergency brake system as it approached Orchard MRT station, requiring manual operation and additional travel time for commuters.
SMRT’s Response and Ongoing Investigations
In a Facebook announcement, SMRT reassured passengers that all three incidents were unrelated and emphasised that investigations into the root causes are currently ongoing. They noted:
- Train services continued operating in both directions during the disruptions.
- Preliminary findings suggest possible component faults within the trains.
- Normal service has since resumed.
The LTA has also confirmed that investigations into a previous disruption on the East-West Line are expected to conclude in the upcoming months.
Future Developments on TEL
The Thomson-East Coast Line is rapidly evolving, with the TEL4 segment—comprising seven new stations—having opened in June 2023. Looking ahead, the fifth stage connecting Bayshore and Sungei Bedok is projected for completion by 2026, while the extension to Changi Airport will coincide with the opening of Terminal 5 in the mid-2030s.
As Singapore continues to expand its public transport network, timely and effective maintenance will be crucial in ensuring commuter confidence in the system.