SINGAPORE — For the second time in 12 hours, mobile telecommunication signals were shut along the entire the Circle Line (CCL) on Friday (Nov 4) morning as the authorities conducted further tests to track down the source of a persistent signal fault that’s been causing widespread delays.
M1 and Singtel announced on social media at 7.15am that the suspension of mobile services on CCL would last till 9am. The suspension was initially extended to 9.30am, but at 9.32am, M1 posted an update on Facebook saying that mobile signals on the CCL would be suspended until further notice “on instructions from the authorities”.
Earlier on Friday morning, SMRT warned of fresh delays on the 30-station line due to a recurrence of the signal fault which disrupted Wednesday morning’s rush-hour commute. “For safety, CCL trains are manned this morning. We are sorry,” the train operator added without giving further details.
Friday’s announcements came after mobile signals were shut down for at least two hours throughout the entire CCL on Thursday night with little advance warning. The unprecedented move, which upset thousands of commuters, was ordered by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) as it tries to flush out the culprit behind the recent signal interferences that caused several disruptions since August.
Commuters fumed, saying an SMS alert could have been sent out moments before the shutdown, even if tests had to run promptly.
The authorities had previously ordered a smaller-scale suspension of mobile signals on Sept 2, in a similar bid to trace the source of the interfering signal, which resulted in train service delays spanning five days. The suspension then lasted two hours and involved only four CCL stations: Kent Ridge, Haw Par Villa, Pasir Panjang and Labrador Park.
They were unsuccessful in tracking down the source of the interference, which resurfaced on Wednesday morning, disrupting service between six stations, including Bishan and Serangoon interchanges.
