2011 Singapore MRT disruptions
In 2011, many Singapore Mass Rapid Transit train services were disrupted.
List of MRT disruptions in 2011
North South Line (NSL)
- October 17, 2011 - Train services disrupted, between 10.30 am to 11.10 am, on North South Line between Ang Mo Kio and Bishan. Full service resumed at 12.05 pm. Approximately 5,000 commuters were affected.
- December 15, 2011 – Train services disrupted, between 6.50 pm to 12.15 am (the next day), on North South Line between Bishan and Marina Bay stations.
- December 17, 2011 – Train services disrupted, between 7.55 am to 1.18 pm, on North South Line between Toa Payoh and Marina Bay stations.
- December 18, 2011 – Postponed opening hours of MRT services on North South Line and East West Line.
The two train services that disrupted on the North South MRT Line that took place on 15 and 17 December 2011 were the worst breakdowns in SMRT's 24-year history. All MRT stations on the North South Line and East West Line were further closed due to checks on all trains and tracks to be carry out. Train services started at 10 am instead. Free parallel bus services were also available from 5.30 am to 10 am. However, as the checks were not completed, train services were delayed up to two hours. Train service on the East West Line resumed at 11 am while North South Line resumed fully at 12.08 pm.
Committee of Inquiry (COI) into December 2011 breakdowns
In December 2011, the government commissioned a Committee of Inquiry into the state of breakdowns and disruptions of the train services. The committee is headed by Tan Siong Thye, Chief District Judge of the Subordinate Courts and the two other committee members are Professor Lim Mong King from the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Nanyang Technological University and Soh Wai Wah, Director of Prisons. On July 3, 2012, the Committee of Inquiry submitted its report to Transport Minister, Lui Tuck Yew. A response is expected to be given by the Transport Minister to the COI report at a parliament sitting which held on July 9, 2012. On July 4, 2012, the 358-page COI report made available to the public, cited shortcomings in SMRT's maintenance regime and checks done.
Financial penalties
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) imposed a maximum financial penalty of S$2 million on SMRT for the two train disruptions along the North South Line (NSL) on December 15 and 17, 2011.