Power Supply Failure Disrupts Singapore’s NEL and LRT Services

A failure in both the main and backup power supply at a depot substation caused significant disruptions to train services on Singapore’s North East Line (NEL) and Sengkang-Punggol Light Rail Transit (LRT) on August 12, 2023. The incident, which lasted for hours, was attributed to a malfunction in the power switchboard that led to a flashover in one of the voltage transformers essential for regulating power flow.

According to SBS Transit Group CEO Jeffrey Sim, the power protection mechanism activated, resulting in a trip of the main and backup supplies. This unexpected failure halted NEL services for approximately three hours, affecting 11 stations between Farrer Park and Punggol MRT Station.

The faulty voltage transformer could not be repaired immediately, prompting engineers to bypass the depot substation. They decided to draw power from the Dhoby Ghaut substation to allow train services to resume. In his remarks, Mr. Sim emphasized the importance of conducting extensive checks to prevent further issues at operational stations. Power began to be restored progressively, with NEL services fully resuming by 14:10 local time.

The Sengkang-Punggol LRT also faced significant disruptions, with services down for nearly five hours due to the same power fault. Recovery efforts for the LRT were implemented in stages to manage electrical load and avoid another trip, as both the NEL and Sengkang-Punggol LRT were drawing from the same substation.

To ensure safe operations, a complete restart of signaling and power systems, along with checks of LRT vehicles, was necessary. The power on the Sengkang LRT was restored at 15:34, while the Punggol LRT resumed operations at 16:04. In light of the situation, service on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT was temporarily limited to a single track for both east and west loops during the evening peak hours to mitigate stress on the shared power supply.

To assist commuters affected by the disruptions, SBS Transit provided free bridging and regular bus services during the NEL service interruption. The company, in collaboration with the Land Transport Authority (LTA), planned to work overnight to restore the power supply to the depot substation, ensuring full service availability for the following day.

Mr. Sim expressed his apologies to all affected commuters and assured that SBS Transit would work closely with the LTA to prevent similar incidents in the future. The disruptions highlighted the importance of reliable infrastructure in public transport systems and the need for ongoing maintenance and upgrades to ensure the safety and convenience of commuters in Singapore.