Exams missed due to delays

Commuters on the North-South MRT Line experienced delays yesterday morning.

The problem, reported at 7.30am, was caused by a track circuit failure on the track going from Jurong East to Kranji, said train operator SMRT.

The track circuit is part of the signalling system that sends train-related information between the operations control centre and track network.

There was no service disruption but for safety reasons, trains had to travel at slower speeds between Kranji and Yew Tee MRT stations while engineers accessed the track.

At 8.30am, free bus services for Admiralty, Sembawang, Yishun and Khatib MRT stations were activated.

SMRT said that by 8.32am, the faulty track circuit had been repaired and normal train services resumed.

The New Paper understands that some Republic Polytechnic students on the way to campus for examinations were affected by the train delays.

A spokesman for the polytechnic said: "The incident is most unfortunate. Nonetheless, affected students who were late for their exam on Feb 24 at 8.30am will be allowed to sit for the paper without penalty.

"Affected students should check their e-mail for updates on this matter."

- Anne Hwarng