Power fault on Sengkang-Punggol LRT line brings trains to a halt
Kolette Lim,Esther Loi
Updated Fri, 15 August 2025 at 11:56 AM SGT3-min read
Free bridging bus service at Punggol Bus Interchange around 10.05am on Aug 15.
SINGAPORE – Commuters travelling on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT line had to continue their journey by bus after a power fault brought trains to a halt on the morning of Aug 15.
Free regular bus services were rolled out from Sengkang Bus Interchange and bus stops near designated stations to help commuters affected by the disruption, said public transport operator SBS Transit.
Free bridging bus services were also activated, said SBS Transit in a Facebook post at 8.55am.
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Commuters were advised to follow directional signs to get to the boarding point for bus services and to approach staff if they needed help.
When The Straits Times arrived at Punggol LRT station about 10.20am, about 10 SBS Transit staff were seen marshalling commuters to bus stops with bridging services, and issuing reminders not to pay a fare for the free bus service.
Passengers queuing for the free buses plying the LRT stations along Punggol East - which arrived in five-minute intervals - were all able to get on board, with ample standing space for everyone.
Madam Kee Geok Suan, 65, who was planning to take the train to Oasis LRT station to visit her sister, said she was upset to discover that the train service was not available.
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She added that the journey usually takes about 45 minutes but now, she was not sure how much longer it would take.
Madam Kee, an administrative executive, said: “I find it really inconvenient as I’m rushing for time now.”
Business analyst Jason Sia, 45, who was travelling from Maxwell MRT station to Meridian LRT station near where he lives, was less troubled.
He said he estimated his journey would be only slightly longer. He said: “It would be different if it’s during rush hour or if I had an urgent meeting to attend.”
At Meridian LRT station in Punggol, Mr Edwin Tan, 34, found out there was no LRT service at about 8.45am.
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He said: “I saw people coming down from the platform, and a fellow commuter told me the trains were not running.”
Passengers boarding the free bridging bus service at Punggol Bus Interchange on Aug 15.
Mr Tan, a human resources assistant, was heading to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. He had to hop on a regular bus service to Punggol MRT station to continue his journey.
Other affected passengers squeezed into buses because they were rushing to work, he said.
“I am frustrated and disillusioned. But this was not as bad as the first time around, as the MRT is working fine,” added Mr Tan.
Netizens left comments on Facebook to air their disappointment. Facebook user Debbie Michelle Aurelia, for instance, said that after the train had stalled, the announcement to alight was made only after more than five minutes.