Train delays on the East-West Line during peak hour on July 10 led to overcrowding at several MRT stations, with some commuters even claiming that fare gates and escalators could not be used.
At around 6pm, commuters began posting about the delays and crowd buildup on social media, particularly Reddit.
One user shared a photo of Boon Lay MRT station, where commuters were seen lining up at the fare gates.
“Peak hour today and there’s overcrowding at Boon Lay MRT. Only one gantry is working and the trains are taking forever to move off.”
Shortly after, another Reddit user shared a photo taken at Clementi MRT station, showing commuters crowding around the fare gates. The user said there was a “delay for trains heading towards Tampines for supposedly ‘5-10 minutes'”.
The New Paper understands that track works were being carried out, and announcements were made at affected stations and on board trains to inform commuters of the delay.
A third post shared on the r/Singapore subreddit, this time from Jurong East MRT station, appeared to confirm this. The user said announcements had been made, explaining that the delays were due to track works.
“I was searching up news and LTA website and no updates on any delays. Anyone else stuck at Jurong East?” the user wrote.
Photos posted on the Facebook group Complaint Singapore by commuter Derrick Seah showed a packed Jurong East station. He claimed that there was no “escalator going up (to the platform), followed by blocking of stairs going to (the) train platform.”
A photo showed the next train was due in 10 minutes.
A commuter who only wished to be known as Ms Chen told Lianhe Zaobao that when she reached Joo Koon MRT station at around 6pm, she saw that the station was already crowded.
She also heard announcements stating that track works between Boon Lay and Jurong East were causing delays of up to 10 minutes.
