Train Service Restored on Bukit Panjang LRT Line After Power Outage

SINGAPORE – Train services on the Bukit Panjang LRT (BPLRT) line resumed around 11:40 AM on July 3, 2025, after a significant power fault caused disruptions across all 13 stations for approximately three hours. The incident began at around 8:50 AM, prompting the transport operator, SMRT, to notify commuters via a Facebook update at 9:13 AM.

In its communication, SMRT acknowledged that train services were unavailable throughout the BPLRT system. They assured that staff were on-site to assist affected commuters and that announcements were being made in trains and at stations to keep passengers informed of the situation. As an interim solution, SMRT provided free regular and bridging bus services to facilitate transportation for those impacted.

At about 11:37 AM, SMRT reported that traction power had been restored and that the resumption of train services would occur progressively. By approximately 11:45 AM, BPLRT services were fully operational, and the free bus services were subsequently discontinued.

Witnessing the disruption firsthand, a student from Singapore Polytechnic, Darryl Teo, shared his experience. He was on his way to the Dover campus when his train halted post-Fajar station. Teo had to switch to a bridging bus to reach Bukit Panjang, expressing concern over the delay that would force him to take a longer route to school.

Another commuter, 35-year-old Mohammad Adamin, also faced delays en route to his job in Lakeside. Originally intending to travel via LRT to Choa Chu Kang before transferring to the East-West Line, Adamin opted for bus service 180 instead, citing uncertainties regarding traffic conditions that could potentially double his travel time.

This disruption marked the second occurrence within the week, following a signaling fault on July 1 that caused delays on the Thomson-East Coast Line. The BPLRT network, which spans 8 kilometers, has faced reliability challenges in the past, including a notable disruption on October 22, 2024, caused by a fault in a train's wheel assembly.

To address ongoing reliability issues, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced a series of upgrades to the BPLRT system, including a transition to a new communications-based train control system. This system aims to enhance train speed regulation, similar to those employed on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines. The renewal program, initially scheduled for completion in 2024, has faced delays due to manpower shortages and supply chain disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Completion is now targeted for the end of 2026.

In 2024, the average daily ridership on the entire LRT network, encompassing the Sengkang-Punggol LRT, reached 210,000, reflecting a 4% increase from 2023. This upward trend underscores the importance of maintaining and enhancing public transport infrastructure to meet the growing demands of Singapore's population.

As the government and SMRT continue to implement improvements to the BPLRT, commuters remain hopeful for a more reliable and efficient transportation system in the future.