SINGAPORE – Commuters heading home during the evening peak hour were hit by a five-hour train breakdown that stalled service between Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang LRT stations and required urgent repairs later in the night.

       In a Facebook update at 9.55pm, public transport operator SMRT said it was ending train services along the affected stretch about 1？ hours earlier than usual to carry out urgent repairs.

       SMRT said: “Our engineers have assessed the situation. We need to end passenger service earlier at 10pm between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang stations for urgent repair works.

       “Train service on the loop side between Bukit Panjang and Senja stations remains available via Service B.”

       News of the train breakdown first came at nearly 6pm on Oct 22, when SMRT said a train had stalled near Teck Whye station at about 5.20pm, and that commuters in the train got off safely at the Teck Whye station platform.

       SMRT then rolled out shuttle train services between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang, it said in an earlier Facebook post.

       Train services between Bukit Panjang and Petir via Service A and Senja via Service B were not affected.

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       Bus services that usually ply the routes between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang remained available, and commuters were able to use them for free, SMRT added.

       Later, a second train broke down.

       SMRT said: “To move the faulty train, a rescue train had to be deployed to move it to the depot. While on its way back to the depot, the rescue train also stalled.”

       A tyre on the faulty train also deflated, SMRT said, causing the train to sag on one end, leading to a bar under the carriage coming into contact with the power rail.

       “To prevent further damage to both the train and the power rail, we will jack up the train, replace the deflated tyre, and restore the train to its correct height before hauling it back to the depot tonight.

       “Our engineers and technicians will work through the night to restore services as soon as possible.”

       Free bus services between Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang were available for the rest of the evening.

       “We are sorry for affecting your journey this evening,” SMRT said.

       The last time train service was disrupted on the LRT line was on Sept 5, when there was no service between Bukit Panjang and Senja stations at about 5am due to a signalling fault.