Two faults on the North East Line led to delay in train services

Two faults on the North East Line have led to a delay in train services today. 

They are a power supply fault and a subsequent signalling fault. 

Since this morning, SBS Transit warned commuters that train services on the NEL have been delayed by an average of 20 minutes in both directions 

SBS Transit says at certain times, the delay was longer - up to 50 minutes. 

The cause of the initial delay has been traced to a fault in the traction power system where a U-shaped bolt holding the cantilever arm of the overhead power cables broke in the northbound tunnel between HarbourFront and Outram Park Stations. 

As a result of the breakage in the bolt, power wires were misaligned. 

A section of the tunnel was closed, which meant that trains could only turnaround at one point in the tunnel - instead of two normally. 

The traction power system has to be shut down to enable engineers to enter the tunnel to replace the broken bolt. 

Which will mean no train services on NEL between HarbourFront and Dhoby Ghaut for a period of time.

Management will undertake repair works after revenue service ends today. 

This is expected to last about two hours 

At about 2.45pm, a new fault in the signalling system was discovered, which resulted in a further delay of about 30 minutes in train services. 

Engineers are currently working to repair this fault to ensure that service delays are minimised. 

SBS Transit apologises to all affected passengers for the inconvenience caused.