SINGAPORE – Normal service has resumed on the Downtown Line, said SBS Transit on its social media account, more than 5 hours after it first tweeted that commuters were to expect additional travelling time of up to 10 minutes between the Bukit Panjang and Chinatown stations.
DTL has resumed normal service. All trains are now stopping at DT09 BTN twds DT19 CNT. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.
— SBS Transit (@SBSTransit_Ltd) May 3, 2017
The transport operator first mentioned the delay at 7.41am on Wednesday morning (May 3) and said it was due to a signalling fault.
DTL svc betwn DT01 BKP & DT19 CNT is delayed due to a signalling fault. Add’l travel time of up to 10 minutes may be expected. We are sorry
— SBS Transit (@SBSTransit_Ltd) May 2, 2017
Photo: Dave Tan/TODAY reader
Almost two hours after its initial announcement, SBS Transit said that trains would bypass the Botanic Gardens station towards the Chinatown station. They advised commuters to transfer at Tan Kah Kee and Stevens stations to continue on their journey. Eye-witnesses at the Botanic Gardens station said that they saw workers crowding around a faulty door, which has since been barricaded.
DTL – Trains will bypass DT09 BTN twds DT19 CNT. Train service from CNT to BKP is normal. Pls transfer at DT08 TKK & DT10 STV to continue.
— SBS Transit (@SBSTransit_Ltd) May 3, 2017
Earlier responses to the delay by commuters on social media seem to suggest that the trains were stopping for at least 10 minutes per station and that the fault happened earlier than announced.
Twitter user Kevin Tan posted this tweet at 7.04am.
DTL seems to have issues this morning. Stopping at each station for 5mins. Coming from Bukit Panjang. #SMRT #SBSTransit
— Kevin Tan (@nokiawiz) 2 May 2017
Twitter user icky_sg said: “Your train stopped for 10 mins at every station, you think people don’t have watches?”
Another, under handle cadence888, wrote: “Can you please give (a) realistic estimate of the delay? >10min per station.”
@SBSTransit_Ltd WHAT 10 MINS PER STOP?! Kill me pls. I go home sleep first then go work can or not? Sounds like a plan
— Tiffanie Lim (@iamtiffanielim) May 3, 2017
@SBSTransit_Ltd Stop at cashew for more than 10 mins already. And still not moving
— hsu hessa (@hsuhessa) May 3, 2017
@SBSTransit_Ltd Your train stopped for 10 mins at every station, you think people don’t have watches?
— ickyいっきー (@icky_sg) May 2, 2017
