A train fault at Braddell MRT station yesterday evening slowed down the service on the North-South Line, in an episode that lasted about one hour.
In a tweet at 7.17pm, train operator SMRT said to expect 25 minutes of travelling time between Marina Bay and Ang Mo Kio stations.
Free bus services were available between Marina South Pier and Ang Mo Kio, it said in another tweet. In an update at about 7.41pm, SMRT said train services had resumed, but trains would be travelling at slower speeds.
Patient service associate Nur Iffah, 24, who boarded the north- bound train at Novena, said it stopped on the way to Toa Payoh, and there was a blackout for about 10 minutes. The train was warm but passengers were calm, she added.
After the passengers were asked to alight at Toa Payoh, she boarded the next train, only to have it stall again for another 10 minutes towards Braddell. They were told to alight again. She waited another 25 minutes before she could board a train to her destination in Woodlands.
Another commuter caught in the delay was sales representative Shirley Lim, 55. "They asked us to take a bus, but didn't say from where. I was told there's a free bus to Bishan, but when I asked if there'll be a train there, they said no. I live in Marsiling, why would I want to go to Bishan?"
There were crowds of people at both the bus stops nearest to the Braddell station. Many others lined the roads trying to hail taxis. Signs were put up informing commuters of the bus bridging services.
For those going towards Marina Bay, the delay was shorter. "The train stopped at Bishan for about five minutes before it reached Braddell," said software engineer Edmond Quah, 31.
SMRT said in a tweet at 8.33pm that train services resumed normal operation and that free bus services were discontinued.
Earlier yesterday, the service between Tampines and Pasir Ris stations was affected on the East-West Line due to a track fault. Free bus services were activated after the train service was suspended for about 20 minutes. It resumed at 3.10pm, with trains travelling at a slower speed, SMRT said in a tweet.
This article was first published on October 29, 2015.
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