Due to a track fault, train services between Queenstown (EW19) and Boon Lay (EW27) stations on the East-West Line (EWL) were delayed on Friday (Apr 4) afternoon.
SGTrains understands that the track fault concerns the failure of the track point machine between Jurong East (EW24) and Clementi (EW23) stations. This issue could prevent trains from switching from one track to another or passing through safely if its state is unknown.
Interested in reading more of our future posts?
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram for the latest updates!
“Due to a track fault, please expect an additional 20 minutes of travelling time between Queenstown and Boon Lay stations. Shuttle train services is available between Jurong East and Lakeside stations. Free regular bus services are available at the designated bus stops between Buona Vista and Boon Lay stations.” (Image: Screengrab from SGTrains)
At around 1:31pm on Friday, rail operator SMRT alerted on its social media platforms for commuters to expect an additional travelling time of around 20 minutes between Queenstown and Boon Lay stations.
SGTrains received the first train disruption alert from a Land Transport Authority (LTA) data feed at 1:40pm, which we had displayed on our Train Service Status web page.
“01:31 PM – [EWL]: Due to a track fault, please expect an additional 20mins of travelling time between #Queenstown and #BoonLay. Shuttle train are available between #Clementi and #JurongEast and #JurongEast and #Lakeside. Free regular bus is available between #BuonaVista and #BoonLay.”
Image: SMRT/Facebook
Subsequently, SMRT added that a bi-directional shuttle train was available between Jurong East and Lakeside stations. Free regular bus services were available at the affected MRT stations between the Buona Vista and Boon Lay stations.
Rail operator SMRT also advised commuters to use other MRT lines, such as the North-South Line (NSL) and Circle Line (CCL), to get to the city.
“02:34 PM – [EWL] UPDATE: Due to a track fault, please expect an additional 20mins of travelling time between #Queenstown and #BoonLay. Passenger are advised to take the alternative route via Circle Line at #BuonaVista and North-South Line to city area. We apologise for the delay to your journey.”
“03:20 PM – Due to a track fault, please expect an additional 20mins of travelling time between #Queenstown and #BoonLay. Passengers are advised to take North-South Line train service and change to Thomson-East Coast Line at #Woodlands to city area. Train service is still available.”
In an update at 3:45pm, the rail operator said the track fault occurred at around 1:10pm and added that due to adverse weather conditions and lightning risk, “our staff were unable to access the track immediately to investigate the fault”.
Pictures published on SMRT’s social media platforms showed maintenance crews rectifying the track point machine at around 2:37pm near Clementi station, west-bound (WB) direction.
Image: SMRT/Facebook
Train services progressively resumed from 4:00pm onwards, with the cessation of free regular bus services at 4:11pm. SMRT said: “We seek commuters’ understanding and apologise for the delay to your afternoon commute.”
On Feb 8, 2023, a track point failure near Admiralty station on the NSL caused a six-hour train disruption in the morning. SMRT had advised commuters to expect 25 minutes of additional travelling time.
RELATED: How Did Faulty Track Point Device Cause 6-Hour Train Service Disruption? »
Related Links
Train Service Status – SGTrains
External Links
“01:31 PM – [EWL]: Due to a track fault, please expect an additional 20mins of travelling time between #Queenstown and #BoonLay.” – SMRT/Facebook
“[Update on the East-West Line, 4 Apr at 3.45pm]:” – SMRT/Facebook
Images: SMRT/Facebook, Screengrab from SGTrains.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.
Last updated on 04 Apr 2025.