MRT breakdowns in Singapore
We’ve all seen that perfectly timed frame from NDP 2025 – the guy proudly holding up his “I want to” placard, wishing for a reliable and affordable public transport system. Honestly, same.
Ever since that huge East-West MRT line disruption in 2024, MRT breakdowns have almost become a regular notification on our phones. So, here’s a throwback as we break down Singapore’s MRT breakdowns over the recent years, and relive some of the more chaotic times together.
Table of Contents
- MRT breakdowns in Singapore
- Major MRT breakdowns in Singapore over the years
- 1999
- 2006
- 2011
- 2012
- 2015
- 2017
- 2024
- A timeline of significant MRT breakdowns in 2025… so far
- Feb 2025
- July 2025
- August 2025
- Which MRT Line has had the most breakdowns in 2025?
- MRT breakdown terms you need to know
- Tips for avoiding a personal breakdown during an MRT breakdown
Major MRT breakdowns in Singapore over the years
Our MRT system has come a long way since its launch in 1987, but it’s had its fair share of breakdowns over the years, with some being more major than others. Here’s a look back at some of the most significant MRT breakdowns.
1999
Train derails on the North-South Line
Image credit: sweet-lil-thang via Reddit
The year was 1999, and a lone train was headed for the Bishan depot on 13th April. At around 10am, the train was derailed in a tunnel near Toa Payoh MRT station, causing train service on the North-South Line (NSL) to be disrupted for 7 hours.
Later, it was discovered that the incident was due to a human error by the Ang Mo Kio station master, who was tasked to manually reset the tracks at 2 points, but missed out on 1.
2006
7-hour disruption on the North-East Line
Thanks to 2 cables that came loose, a departing train from Outram Park station stalled right after leaving the platform. 4 stations had to be shut down, and there was a 7-hour disruption on the North-East Line (NEL).
The 100 or so passengers onboard were safe, but they had to form their own human choo-choo line as they walked through a 200m tunnel stretch back to Outram Park MRT station.
2011
Train disruptions that resulted in smashed windows
Image credit: please_-_no via Reddit
December 2011 was when SMRT basically siked us with their back-to-back train disruptions on the NSL. Due to maintenance lapses, trains came to a halt in the evening of 15th December. Some commuters even had to smash the windows just to get some air in since the air conditioning wasn’t working.
As if that wasn’t enough, 2 days later came the encore: a disruption halted train services across 12 stations for 7 hours, affecting 94,000 commuters. Back then, the incident was seen as one of the worst MRT breakdowns in Singapore… if only they knew.
2012
10-hour disruption on the North-East Line
On 15th March 2012, about 90,000 commuters had a very valid excuse for being late to work. A pair of steel cables snapped right before the morning train service on the NEL began. It didn’t help that maintenance work took longer than expected, leading to a whopping 10-hour disruption. The trains were only up and running again at 4.35pm – by then, most people’s workday was basically over.
2015
Breakdowns on both the North-South & East-West Lines
As if Tuesday blues couldn’t get any worse, 413,000 commuters had a late dinner on 7th July 2015 when train services for both the NSL and East-West Line (EWL) came to a screeching halt for more than 2 hours. The disruption was caused by an insulator that had accumulated too many salt deposits.
2017
Flooded tracks on the North-South Line
Image credit: SCDF
2017 was really not SMRT’s year. In October, heavy storms turned the tunnels between Bishan and Braddell into their own Spirited Away scene, with floodwaters submerging the tracks and disrupting service across 13 stations.
Just a month later, in November, a train collision on the EWL injured 30 people and disrupted train services between Boon Lay and Tuas Link. 2017 went down as one of the MRT’s most suay years ever.
2024
Breakdown on the East-West Line, which lasted 6 days
Image credit: SMRT via Facebook
Of course, we have to talk about the legendary EWL breakdown in September that lasted over 6 days. This one’s basically the boss battle of all MRT breakdowns, and is still considered one of the biggest breakdowns in our MRT’s history.
I remember waking up to my phone blowing up and thanking my lucky stars for NUS’s well-timed study week. Not so lucky were my NTU friends who had to fight the war to get to Boon Lay. It definitely didn’t help that the disruption happened during PSLE week.
The disruption’s cause was eventually credited to a train’s dislodged axle box that damaged the track and equipment.
A timeline of significant MRT breakdowns in 2025… so far
But if you want to talk about recent MRT breakdowns, you don’t have to look too far. We’re only slightly more than halfway through the year, and already 2025 has seen a handful of MRT disruptions.
Feb 2025
3 breakdowns in 5 days
Image credit: SMRT via Facebook
February 2025 was the season of MRT breakdowns. Within the span of 5 days, we had 3 breakdowns on the NSL, NEL and Circle Line (CCL) – that has to be some kind of record.
The first happened on 7th February and was caused by an engineering vehicle breakdown at a railway crossing in Bishan Depot, which affected NSL trains. The second incident occurred on 10th February when a signalling fault near Buangkok station caused trains on the NEL to travel more slowly.
We probably all let out a collective groan when we got the news on 11th February announcing a signalling fault between Paya Lebar and Marymount. The power trip affected 17 trains, because why stop at 1? Rule of Three, MRT edition.
July 2025
2 breakdowns in a month
We had another series of breakdowns in July this year. The first was on 3rd July, where a signalling fault on the Thomson-East Coast Line at Orchard station halted train services across 4 stations for 2 hours.
This was followed by another disruption later in the month, where 2 power-related faults took out the entire Bukit Panjang LRT line.
August 2025
Train breakdowns on 3 different lines
Image credit: Must Share News
Perhaps it was National Day jitters, but we had another 2 major disruptions leading up to the nation’s birthday.
The first was due to a faulty point machine near Jurong East MRT, which led to a halt on train services down the EWL stretch for 5 hours. The second was due to a critical power fault that put a pause on train services along 11 NEL stations, as well as the entire Sengkang-Punggol LRT loop.
But hey, at least some lucky Singaporeans got to experience walking down the MRT tunnel and striking one thing off their bucket list.
Which MRT Line has had the most breakdowns in 2025?
Image credit: Matthew Chia via Google Maps
Honestly, NEL folks, you’re the current champs of the 2025 MRT Breakdown leaderboard, with 2 breakdowns this year. But to be honest, it isn’t as bad as dealing with your entire line being shut down – our condolences, LRT liners.
We’re only in August, though, so there’s plenty of time for another MRT Line to surpass the NEL. It could be anyone’s game at this point, as there’s no clear MRT breakdown bias so far. Although, based on the 2024 LTA report, the CCL did come out as the most unreliable, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
MRT breakdown terms you need to know
A little enlightenment so you don’t have to nod along pretending you get what “signalling fault” or “power trip” means every time a new MRT breakdown hits.
Signalling fault
Image credit: SGTrains.com
We’ve seen this term generously peppered in every MRT breakdown article, but let’s be real, do you really know what a signalling fault is?
Signalling just means the train’s version of traffic lights. It’s what regulates train speeds and prevents collisions. A signalling fault would mean a malfunction of the traffic system. Given how important traffic signalling is for the trains, a small fault can be dangerous and usually causes train delays.
Track fault
Image credit: @ltasg via Instagram
A track fault is normally used as an umbrella term to refer to general track issues like track point faults and rail cracks.
Track point fault
Image credit: SMRT via Facebook
Track point faults are basically what caused those EWL delays in August this year.
First, what’s a track point? It’s basically a movable rail that allows trains to change tracks. So a fault would mean a malfunction of the rail, and it usually has something to do with the point machine. More on that below.
Point machine
SMRT engineering staff rectifying a faulty track point machine at Clementi MRT station.
Image credit: SMRT via Facebook
The point machine controls the movement of railway switches and makes sure that they are correctly positioned. It weighs a whopping 90kg and can be found next to the track. Basically, the equipment pushes and pulls the movable rail to guide trains onto the right track.
It’s usually used when a train needs some downtime at the train depot, so the point machine switches the track to guide it off the main MRT tracks. In the case of a point machine breakdown, trains would have to switch to manual mode and travel more slowly for passenger safety.
Tips for avoiding a personal breakdown during an MRT breakdown
You can’t stop an MRT breakdown, but you can choose how to prepare for one – and more importantly, how to stay cool when it happens.
Join useful Telegram channels
Screenshot from: @sgmrt via Telegram
Instead of depending on “he said, she said” in your friend group chats, try looking to a more trusted source, namely SG MRT Updates. It’s a Telegram channel that keeps its subscribers updated in the event of a breakdown and provides alternative line suggestions.
Join @sgmrt on Telegram to stay in the know.
Save alternative travel routes
In the likely event of me travelling to work after camping.
Screenshot from: Google Maps
Just because the MRT lets you down doesn’t mean the rest of Singapore’s transport system has failed. In case the train decides to break down on you, having alternative bus routes on your phone can help you skip the MRT panic.
While it’s tempting to rely on Google Maps in the moment, the train crowd will definitely slow down your trusty Wireless@SGx. To be safe, screenshot your bus routes ahead of time so you’ll know where to go, connection or not.
Trauma bond in the train carriage
Screenshot from: CNA via YouTube
If you end up in one of those rabak MRT breakdowns where you’re stuck in the train for a long time, there’s no better time to trauma bond. Complain about the heat or debate which line is the most cursed, and you’ll unlock instant camaraderie.
To fewer MRT breakdowns, please
I was in a train the other day when the carriage shook briefly as it left the station, and it was almost comical to watch commuters exchange the same glances of… could it be? At this point, MRT breakdowns are one of Singaporeans’ many inside jokes, and we groan every time we see our phones light up with another notification.
But it’s also proof that even with all our online rants, the MRT is still one of the things that brings us Singaporeans together.
Other MRT content:
- MRT hacks for kiasu commuters
- Unfinished MRT plans in SG
- Funny & unexpected stories behind MRT station names
Cover image adapted from: Must Share News, please_-_no via Reddit