400,000 commuters expected to be affected by train service disruption
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid | Posted: 04 September 2010 1829 hrs
An MRT station staff holds a sign to alert commuters on the scheduled disruption of train services
400,000 commuters expected to be affected by train service disruption
SINGAPORE : About 400,000 commuters in Singapore are expected to be affected by the scheduled disruption of train services over two weekends, due to upgrading works.
The Jurong East Modification Project aims to boost passenger capacity by some 15 per cent.
And when completed in May next year, passengers on the North South Line and East West Line can look forward to a shorter waiting time.
The first service disruption took place on Saturday morning, with no services between Jurong East and Clementi stations till Monday.
It wasn't the usual route for those using the East West line.
Passengers travelling from Joo Koon station had to alight at Lakeside station, before boarding another train to Jurong East station.
Those continuing their journey to Clementi station and after had to take a free bridging shuttle service.
"I did not have any problem, I knew exactly where to go. And there are people helping me," said one commuter.
"It's quite inconvenient, because we have to turn, walk a lot of rounds, and then take the buses," said another commuter.
Some weren't happy that their journey took longer than usual.
"It's very far, very long, (and) very tiring," said a commuter.
"We want to go to City Hall. Instead of taking the East-West line, we are taking the North South line. It's a longer route and more time consuming," complained another commuter.
"We ask for the public's understanding and patience. We'll like to encourage the public to use the North South line and the existing MRT lines as much as possible. Currently public bus services are also available," said Chua Chong Kheng, Group Director (Thomson and Existing Lines), Land Transport Authority.
"And on the ground now, we have 400 over staff who are helping to manage the situation at the affected stations," he added.
Upgrading works began at about 1am on Saturday and are slated to be completed by 4am on Monday, before normal service resumes at about 5.45am.
In the first few days following the upgrading works, commuters may experience a slower train speed over the affected stretches, as the system is being fine-tuned to its full performance capacity.
The upgrading works have been described as a major and complex operation. It involves installing turnouts to connect new tracks to the existing ones at three locations. The turn outs will allow trains to move from one track to another.
The next service disruption will take place on the weekend of September 18 and 19, and will only affect passengers taking the North South line, as there will be no train services between Jurong East and Bukit Batok stations. - CNA /ls
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid | Posted: 04 September 2010 1829 hrs
An MRT station staff holds a sign to alert commuters on the scheduled disruption of train services
400,000 commuters expected to be affected by train service disruption
SINGAPORE : About 400,000 commuters in Singapore are expected to be affected by the scheduled disruption of train services over two weekends, due to upgrading works.
The Jurong East Modification Project aims to boost passenger capacity by some 15 per cent.
And when completed in May next year, passengers on the North South Line and East West Line can look forward to a shorter waiting time.
The first service disruption took place on Saturday morning, with no services between Jurong East and Clementi stations till Monday.
It wasn't the usual route for those using the East West line.
Passengers travelling from Joo Koon station had to alight at Lakeside station, before boarding another train to Jurong East station.
Those continuing their journey to Clementi station and after had to take a free bridging shuttle service.
"I did not have any problem, I knew exactly where to go. And there are people helping me," said one commuter.
"It's quite inconvenient, because we have to turn, walk a lot of rounds, and then take the buses," said another commuter.
Some weren't happy that their journey took longer than usual.
"It's very far, very long, (and) very tiring," said a commuter.
"We want to go to City Hall. Instead of taking the East-West line, we are taking the North South line. It's a longer route and more time consuming," complained another commuter.
"We ask for the public's understanding and patience. We'll like to encourage the public to use the North South line and the existing MRT lines as much as possible. Currently public bus services are also available," said Chua Chong Kheng, Group Director (Thomson and Existing Lines), Land Transport Authority.
"And on the ground now, we have 400 over staff who are helping to manage the situation at the affected stations," he added.
Upgrading works began at about 1am on Saturday and are slated to be completed by 4am on Monday, before normal service resumes at about 5.45am.
In the first few days following the upgrading works, commuters may experience a slower train speed over the affected stretches, as the system is being fine-tuned to its full performance capacity.
The upgrading works have been described as a major and complex operation. It involves installing turnouts to connect new tracks to the existing ones at three locations. The turn outs will allow trains to move from one track to another.
The next service disruption will take place on the weekend of September 18 and 19, and will only affect passengers taking the North South line, as there will be no train services between Jurong East and Bukit Batok stations. - CNA /ls
