North East Line

Caught in a NEL Trap: When Your Morning Latte Gets Cold!

Commuters faced a morning mess on the North-East Line, where train delays turned morning routines upside down! 🚆☕

SINGAPORE: Monday morning started off beautifully for most Singaporeans, but for those traveling on the North-East Line (NEL), the only thing hotter than their morning coffee was the delay they faced! It all began around 8 am when a signalling fault at Buangkok MRT station caused train services to come to an abrupt halt. It was as if the universe conspired to delay your commute just when you needed it least! One can only imagine the collective sigh of frustration echoing through the carriages as commuters clutched their bags and wondered how long they'd be held hostage by the NEL.

As the clock ticked steadily, reports poured in from harried passengers, some claiming they were stuck for more than 20 minutes. But fear not, the situation wasn’t entirely grim! SBS Transit swooped in to save the (coffee) day by announcing free bridging bus services, giving riders a chance to cut their losses and hop aboard another form of transport while they waited for the trains to resume. Who said public transport can’t have a silver lining?

Just as the frustrations peaked and panic set in for those rushing to work, the situation took a turn for the better. By 8:23 am, normal operations were restored, and the train services on the North-East Line were back in action. Commuters resumed their journeys, albeit with a little more jitteriness from their now-cold lattes. It takes a truly special (or stressful) morning to turn half of Singapore into coffee-crazed train captives!

In retrospect, this incident reminds us that technology, while fantastic, is not infallible—like when your favourite robot vacuum starts playing hide-and-seek instead of cleaning the house! The whole debacle is an opportunity for us to appreciate the usually smooth-sailing efficiency of Singapore’s MRT system, which, despite occasional hiccups, remains one of the best public transport networks in the world. Fun fact: Did you know that Singapore’s MRT system has won numerous international awards for its cleanliness and punctuality? It’s true! Next time you board a train, don’t forget to thank those signals that enable our daily hustle without hassle.

And on a lighter note – let’s face it, train delays are basically a free verdict on how much you truly have your life together! Time to embrace the unexpected and always pack an extra snack for your train ride—just in case you need to win a game of Hunger Games during the morning rush!