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EWL disruption enters day 6: LTA says damaged rail segments replaced as repairs continue

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Monday (30 September) that all affected rail segments between Clementi and Ulu Pandan Depot have been replaced, as efforts to restore train services along the East-West MRT Line continue. Services have been disrupted since 25 September, affecting 2.1 million passengers. SMRT aims to resume operations by 1 October.

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SINGAPORE: Work to restore train services along the four-station stretch of Singapore’s East-West MRT Line is progressing as all damaged rail segments between Clementi and Ulu Pandan Depot have now been replaced, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed on Monday (30 September).

This update follows extensive repair efforts to address damage caused by a faulty train that severely disrupted services between Jurong East and Buona Vista last Wednesday (25 Sept).

In a Facebook post, LTA noted that not only had the affected rail segments been replaced, but the third rail, which supplies power to the trains, was also reinstated.

A series of critical tests have already been completed, including a stress test involving a locomotive to ensure the integrity of the newly installed rails.

According to the authority, an endurance test began on 30 September, simulating a fully packed train by loading a train with sandbags and running it across the repaired tracks.

Another key procedure, known as an “electric meggering” test, was also completed.

This test confirmed that both the third rail and the rail that trains run on were adequately insulated, allowing engineers to safely switch on the traction power supply.

Train services have been down along this vital MRT corridor since 25 September, impacting approximately 2.1 million passengers.

Rail operator SMRT, together with LTA, is targeting 1 October to resume operations, pending favorable weather conditions and successful completion of final tests.

Initial plans to restore services by 30 September were delayed after stress tests conducted on 28 September revealed 12 additional cracks in rail segments that had not been replaced earlier, forcing engineers to replace a further 10 sections of rail.

The disruptions stem from an incident on 25 September involving a faulty first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries train, which has been in service for more than 35 years.

The train encountered a fault near Clementi station at around 9am, and while it was being withdrawn from service and redirected towards the Ulu Pandan Depot, a defective component in the train’s undercarriage, known as an axle box, dislodged near Dover station.

This led to the wheels running off the track, causing extensive damage to both the tracks and trackside equipment.

The incident caused significant structural damage, including 46 rail fractures over a 2.55km stretch of track, and led to a power trip that stalled other trains on the line.

It also damaged three point machines and stretches of the third rail, in addition to causing damage to power cables and rail fasteners, further complicating the repair efforts.

In a separate update posted on the morning of 30 September, SMRT confirmed that its engineers had successfully completed ultrasonic testing of rail welds.

This process involves measuring the reflection of high-frequency sound waves to inspect the integrity of the welded joints.

Additionally, the operator stated that the train endurance tests, which form part of the final stage of testing, were currently under way.

The full restoration of services now depends on the results of these endurance tests and favorable weather conditions.

The repairs are part of ongoing efforts by SMRT and LTA to ensure that passenger safety is prioritized before train services resume.

Once services are restored, SMRT has indicated that all necessary safety checks and repairs will have been thoroughly completed to ensure reliable service for passengers on this critical stretch of the East-West MRT Line.

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Community

Over 950,000 Singaporean households to receive U-Save and S&CC rebates in October

On 30 Sept, the Ministry of Finance announced that over 950,000 households in HDB flats will receive U-Save and S&CC rebates in October under the GST Voucher scheme. The rebates will cover up to eight months of utility bills for 1- and 2-room flats. Additionally, electricity and gas tariffs will decrease for the next quarter due to lower energy costs.

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55 mins ago

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30 September 2024

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SINGAPORE: More than 950,000 Singaporean households residing in Housing Board (HDB) flats will receive U-Save and service and conservancy charges (S&CC) rebates in October, as part of the permanent GST Voucher (GSTV) scheme and the Assurance Package.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced on Monday (30 September) that these rebates form the third quarterly disbursement for the 2024 financial year.

The rebates are designed to help lower- and middle-income households cope with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and rising cost-of-living expenses.

According to MOF, the U-Save rebates will cover about eight months of utility bills for those living in 1- and 2-room flats, and around four months of bills for households in 3- and 4-room flats.

For this round of disbursements, households in one-room and two-room flats will receive a total of S$190 in U-Save rebates.

Households in three-room flats will receive S$170, while those in four-room flats will get S$150.

Five-room HDB households will receive S$130, and households in executive or multi-generation flats will receive S$110.

No action is required by residents, as the rebates will be automatically credited to households’ utilities accounts with SP Services.

Similarly, the S&CC rebates will be credited directly by town councils.

Additionally, MOF noted that a portion of the rebates is intended to cushion the impact of rising utility costs, specifically due to the increases in carbon tax and water prices.

On Monday, SP Group, Singapore’s electricity grid operator, announced that electricity tariffs will decrease by 2.6% for the upcoming quarter, from 1 October to 31 December, due to lower energy costs.

This means that the electricity tariff will drop to 29.10 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) before GST, down from 29.88 cents in the previous quarter.

As a result, the average monthly electricity bill for a family living in a four-room HDB flat will decrease by S$3, from S$114.92 to S$111.92.

In a separate statement, City Energy, which produces and retails piped gas, announced a decrease in gas tariffs by 0.45 cents per kWh for the same period.

The new gas tariff is set at 22.97 cents per kWh before GST, down from 23.42 cents.

Both electricity and gas tariffs fluctuate quarterly, influenced by the volatility of global fuel prices.

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Property

Flat in Toa Payoh sold for S$1.2M, becomes most expensive 4-room HDB in estate

A four-room HDB flat at Toa Payoh Crest has set a new record, selling for S$1.201 million. The 1,000 sq ft flat, located between the 37th and 39th storeys of Block 130A, has 93 years left on its lease. This September transaction eclipsed the previous high of S$1.2 million for a flat in neighboring Block 131B.

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30 September 2024

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SINGAPORE: A four-room Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat in Toa Payoh has been sold for a record-breaking S$1.201 million, setting a new high for the area.

The 1,000 sq ft flat, located at Block 130A Lorong 1 Toa Payoh in the Toa Payoh Crest estate, has 93 years left on its lease and sits between the 37th and 39th storeys.

The flat, sold in September for S$1,200,888, surpassed the previous record held by a similar four-room flat at Block 131B, which fetched S$1.2 million in June this year.

Source: HDB

Highly Sought-After Estate

According to property portal 99.Co, Toa Payoh Crest, completed in 2018, has emerged as a popular choice for homebuyers.

The estate comprises four 40-storey blocks with a total of 1,007 units. So far, it has recorded 16 million-dollar-flat transactions this year alone.

The estate’s prime location contributes to its high demand.

Based on Google Maps, Toa Payoh Crest is conveniently located near three MRT stations: Caldecott, Braddell, and Toa Payoh.

In addition, its proximity to Toa Payoh West Market and Food Centre, as well as Toa Payoh Central, makes it highly attractive for potential buyers.

The unblocked view of the city skyline, thanks to the undeveloped plot of land next to the estate, further enhances its appeal.

Price Hikes and Concerns

Although record-setting resale prices continue to make headlines, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee pointed out on August 20 that flats with very high resale prices account for “a very small proportion of all transactions.”

He noted that such sales represent only 0.5 per cent of all four-room or smaller flat transactions in the past two years.

These units tend to be centrally located, well-connected to public transport, and situated on very high floors with good views.

Nevertheless, the rise in million-dollar flats has sparked concerns about the affordability of resale flats in general.

Minister Lee warned that these transactions could lead to unrealistic price expectations among sellers and anxiety among buyers, potentially distorting market dynamics.

He cautioned that if the market moves too far out of sync with economic fundamentals, it could result in a property bubble.

Million-dollar flats currently account for about 2 per cent of all resale transactions over the past 1.5 years.

In August alone, 104 flats were sold for at least S$1 million, down from 120 in July.

In the first seven months of 2024, 539 HDB flats crossed the million-dollar threshold, compared to 470 in 2023 and 369 in 2022.

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