2 train disruptions over 2 days is 'unfortunate and frustrating': LTA

SINGAPORE: Having two practice disruptions over two consecutive days is "very unfortunate and frustrating", the Land Transport Authority (LTA) mentioned on Monday (Mar 29).

LTA issued a response after incidents on two completely different MRT strains disrupted practice companies on Sunday and Monday.

On Monday, the North-South Line skilled a signalling fault between Newton and Metropolis Corridor stations, inflicting delays through the morning rush hour.

Affected commuters skilled a delay of about 45 minutes as trains needed to be pushed manually at a slower pace alongside the affected stretch, mentioned LTA, including that free bus companies had been offered.

READ: Signalling fault causes morning rush hour delays on North-South Line

Primarily based on preliminary investigations, there was a software program subject with the signalling system, mentioned the authority.

"As a precaution to rectify the fault, SMRT and Thales engineers rebooted the system after morning peak hour service," mentioned LTA.

SMRT mentioned earlier that there can be "a reset of the signalling system" at 10am, with no trains working between Toa Payoh and Marina South Pier stations for about quarter-hour.

The system is now working usually and practice companies have resumed, mentioned LTA.

The authority mentioned it's working with SMRT and Thales to look into the basis explanation for the incident, and can present an replace as soon as it has particulars from the investigation.

READ: 3-line MRT disruption: Inherent manufacturing defect or set up mishandling seemingly prompted energy cables to fail

On Sunday, practice service was disrupted on the North-East Line attributable to an influence fault on the overhead catenary system at Buangkok station, which was attributable to a defective insulator, mentioned LTA.

The overhead catenary system supplies energy to trains. The affected insulator on the system has been changed, mentioned the authority.

LTA added that practice service resumed inside three hours and has since been working easily.

"There is currently an ongoing programme to replace the insulators with a better designed version, and we are working with SBS Transit to accelerate replacement of the rest of the insulators by June," mentioned LTA.

WATCH: Singapore launches rail requirements to enhance practice line administration

The authority apologised for the inconveniences attributable to the disruptions.

"To have two incidents over two days is very unfortunate and frustrating. They occurred over two separate lines, each for different reasons," mentioned LTA.

"We apologise for the inconveniences caused. We will have to continue to dive into root causes whenever incidents like these happen and take firm actions. Maintaining rail reliability will be a continuous task."