Wed Sep 25 02:17:24 UTC 2024: ## Singapore’s East-West Line Faces Major Disruptions, Second Day of Chaos for Commuters

**SINGAPORE (TOC)** – The East-West Line (EWL) of Singapore’s MRT system continues to face major disruptions, causing severe delays and overcrowding for commuters on the second consecutive day. The breakdown, attributed to a power fault, began on Wednesday (25 September) and has forced the suspension of regular train services between Jurong East and Buona Vista stations.

On Wednesday morning, a first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries train experienced a mechanical fault in its axle box, leading to the derailment of wheels and damage to critical infrastructure. This resulted in a power trip, stalling another train and forcing the evacuation of approximately 850 passengers.

While SMRT deployed shuttle buses and trains to assist affected commuters, many expressed concerns about overcrowding and extended waiting times. Shuttle bus services between Jurong East and Boon Lay, as well as between Buona Vista and Queenstown, started running at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, and free bus services remain available between Boon Lay and Queenstown.

SMRT has apologized for the inconvenience and assured the public that engineers are working tirelessly to restore normal services as soon as possible. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has also announced a thorough investigation into the cause of the axle box failure to prevent similar incidents in the future.

This incident marks the third major disruption to SMRT services in just one month, raising concerns about the reliability and safety of the MRT system.

**Further Developments:**

* Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat has acknowledged the severity of the disruption and assured the public that LTA will assess whether normal train services can resume on Thursday (26 September).
* Acting Transport Minister Amy Khor visited Queenstown station on Wednesday evening to observe the situation and expressed gratitude to affected passengers for their patience.
* SMRT chairman Seah Moon Ming and group chief executive Ngien Hoon Ping have offered a detailed explanation of the incident, highlighting the failure of a mechanical component on one of SMRT’s first-generation trains.
* Commuters are advised to check SMRT and LTA’s social media channels for the latest updates on the situation.

The East-West Line disruption has once again highlighted the need for robust infrastructure and improved communication to ensure the smooth operation of Singapore’s public transport system.

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