Mystery signal may be to blame for glitch on Circle Line, Latest Singapore News - The New Paper
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Mystery signal may be to blame for glitch on Circle Line

This article is more than 12 months old

An interfering signal in the tunnel is the possible cause of a signalling glitch that has plagued the Circle Line throughout the week.

But more investigation is required, and further temporary shutdowns of mobile service on parts of the line are possible.

"This interfering signal could be a possible cause of the intermittent loss of train-to-track communications," SMRT and the Land Transport Authority said yesterday.

"However, experts have not been able to verify the source."

The signal is "within the operating frequency band of the signalling system", SMRT said.

Mobile signals in four Circle Line stations - Kent Ridge, Haw Par Villa, Pasir Panjang and Labrador Park - were shut down for two hours on Friday evening to investigate the issue.

More tests were conducted between 1am and 4am, and investigations are continuing, said SMRT. But the tests were inconclusive as there was no recurrence of the signal loss.

The "intermittent loss of signal communication" has not occurred since 4pm on Friday, SMRT said.

If and when it happens again, telecommunication signals along stretches of the Circle Line will be suspended for short periods of time for further tests.

"If temporary telecommunication signal suspensions have to be carried out, there will be in-train and station announcements along the affected stretches," said SMRT.

"We seek commuters' understanding and patience as we press on in our investigations."

There have been delays on the Circle Line since Monday (Aug 29) as a signalling fault caused slower train service, sudden braking and stalled trains.

Drivers had to be deployed on Circle Line trains, even though the system was designed to be driverless.

smrtCIRCLE LINE