SINGAPORE: An immobilised train near Teck Whye station caused significant disruptions to services along the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) line on the evening of 22 October, according to an announcement from train operator SMRT.

In a Facebook update at 7:05 pm, SMRT reported that the incident occurred at approximately 5:20 pm when a train became immobilised on the BPLRT.

Staff were promptly dispatched to assist affected commuters, and all passengers on the defective train were safely disembarked at the Teck Whye station platform.

To resolve the issue, a rescue train was deployed to move the faulty train to the depot.

However, the rescue train also experienced a stall while returning to the depot, further complicating the situation.

Despite the disruptions, SMRT assured commuters that a degraded train service remained available, providing a single train shuttle service between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang stations.

Service along the loop side between Bukit Panjang and Senja stations via Service A and Service B was not affected.

SMRT apologised for the inconvenience caused to commuters and announced that free regular bus services between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang stations were available.

In-train and station announcements were being made to keep passengers informed.

Earlier in the evening, SMRT had announced the train fault at 5:56 pm, impacting commuters during a typically busy period.

A photo circulating online, reportedly taken at Teck Whye, showed an LRT train pushing another train from behind.

This incident marks the latest in a series of disruptions affecting parts of Singapore’s public transport system managed by SMRT.

Earlier in October, another significant breakdown occurred on the East-West Line (EWL), with train services delayed on 10 October.

On that occasion, a first-generation westbound Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) train broke down near Tiong Bahru MRT station at around 12:30 PM, causing delays for commuters.

All passengers safely disembarked at Outram Park station, and train services were restored by 1:22 PM after the train was moved to a depot. The incident was attributed to an electrical fault.

These breakdowns follow an even more severe disruption on 25 September, when a faulty KHI train caused significant damage to tracks and trackside equipment on another section of the EWL.

That incident, which required repairs over six days, impacted 2.6 million commuters. Many passengers, including students, faced delays, with some reportedly late for their exams.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed that thorough checks were carried out on the first-generation KHI trains following the September incident to ensure they were fit for service.

The Bukit Panjang LRT line, which opened in 1999, is part of Singapore’s Light Rail Transit system. These lines are designed to act as feeder services to the heavier Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system.

A 50-year-old man will be charged in court on Wednesday (23 October), with the murder of a 41-year-old man who was found lying unconscious at a Housing and Development Board (HDB) void deck in Clementi on Monday.

The police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were alerted to the incident at Block 311B Clementi Avenue 4 at approximately 5pm on Monday.

The 50-year-old man was detained at the scene and subsequently arrested, while the 41-year-old was taken unconscious to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, where he later died.

Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that both individuals were known to each other.

Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao reported that the two men were involved in grassroots activities of the Trivelis Residents’ Network, which serves the Trivelis estate in Clementi Avenue 4.

Some residents indicated that the two had a history of disputes, with the suspect being known for frequent arguments.

On the afternoon of 21 October, shouts and screams shattered the peace of the estate as the suspect allegedly attacked the victim.

Residents reported witnessing the incident, which unfolded at the pick-up point between blocks 311B and 311C, directly in front of the Trivelis Residents’ Network office.

The victim, identified by The Straits Times as Mr Winson Khoo, had tripped near a drain about 20 metres away from the office when he was reportedly attacked by the suspect.

A woman, believed to be Mr Khoo’s wife, screamed during the assault as he lay on the ground. Witnesses stated that the attacker later turned his attention to the woman, chasing her as she fled in terror.

The woman sought refuge in a pre-school located at Block 311C. After the attack, the suspect walked to his black car at the pick-up point and drove into the multi-storey carpark, where he allegedly reversed repeatedly into another vehicle.

He was apprehended by the police as he was attempting to exit the carpark.