MRT Broke Down During Evening Rush Hour
Thursday, 15th December 2011
First time in MRT 24 years history, train services on both directions of the North-South Line from Marina Bay to Braddell stations were disrupted at around 7pm. Passengers affected by the breakdown described scenes of total confusion. Emergency services were seen outside Dhoby Ghaut and City Hall MRT stations. Traffic congestion on Orchard Road as many opted for Taxi to get them home.
17 December 2011 Update: MRT broke down yet again along the same stretch. This time at around 7am in the morning.
North-South Line services between Marina Bay and Bishan stations on southbound trains resumed at around 9pm. And the north-bound train services resumed at 11.40pm.
Photo Credit: Flickr.
According to the MRT Operator, SMRT, the breakdown was due to a "power rail problem". Their preliminary investigation showed that around 40 metres of the power rail has been damaged between City Hall and Dhoby Ghaut stations. MRT's CEO, Ms. Saw Phaik Hwa, offered offered her sincere apologies and may resign to take responsibility of the fiasco.
Photo Credit: Flickr.