Latest news with #JurongEast
Independent Singapore
a day ago
- Automotive
- Independent Singapore
SMRT fined S$3 million after six-day East–West Line breakdown: A closer look at what went wrong
SINGAPORE: When trains grounded to a halt on the East–West Line (EWL) from Jurong East to Buona Vista on September 25, 2024, half a million commuters found themselves in limbo for six days. On Tuesday, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced it will impose a S$3 million penalty on SMRT, citing the gravity of the incident and the costs already borne by the rail operator. Here's how a seemingly small mechanical failure cascaded into one of Singapore's most disruptive rail incidents in recent memory—and how both LTA and SMRT are racing to ensure it never happens again. How a dislodged axle box sparked six days of chaos On the morning of Sept 25, a Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) train was being withdrawn from service near Dover Station on its way back to Ulu Pandan Depot. That routine move took a sudden, unexpected turn: one of the axle boxes—an essential housing that supports the train's wheels—came loose and fell off the track. As the train continued on its journey, the third carriage's bogie (wheel assembly) derailed, gouging 2.55 km of rail and trackside equipment, including power cables and the third rail that supplies electricity. Passengers on board felt a burning smell; SMRT immediately halted the train at Clementi and evacuated riders safely. But the derailed bogie had already ripped up track and cables between Dover and Ulu Pandan, forcing LTA to suspend EWL services for six days until repairs were completed on Sept 30. Services resumed on Oct 1, but not before thousands of journeys were severely delayed or rerouted. LTA's findings: Degraded grease and deferred maintenance LTA's thorough investigation—supported by an independent forensic analysis from SGS Testing and Control Services—could not pinpoint a single 'smoking gun,' but it zeroed in on a likely culprit: degraded grease within the axle box. Over time, this grease failed to lubricate the bearings properly, causing excessive friction and heat. High temperatures, hidden alerts : A Hot Axle Box Detection System (HABDS) near Lavender station had registered 118°C on the affected axle box in the hours before the derailment—nearly twice the normal operating temperature of 65°C. Unfortunately, an internal system error at SMRT meant that maintenance staff could not identify which train had triggered the alert. As a result, no follow-up action was taken. : A Hot Axle Box Detection System (HABDS) near Lavender station had registered 118°C on the affected axle box in the hours before the derailment—nearly twice the normal operating temperature of 65°C. Unfortunately, an internal system error at SMRT meant that maintenance staff could not identify which train had triggered the alert. As a result, no follow-up action was taken. Chevron springs and catastrophic failure : As the bearings overheated, the rubber layers between the chevron springs (metal plates bonded with rubber) began to burn. LTA's report found traces of burnt rubber and metal debris along the track, indicating that the springs disintegrated first. With support weakened, the axle box eventually dislodged completely. : As the bearings overheated, the rubber layers between the chevron springs (metal plates bonded with rubber) began to burn. LTA's report found traces of burnt rubber and metal debris along the track, indicating that the springs disintegrated first. With support weakened, the axle box eventually dislodged completely. Extended overhaul intervals: Regular preventive maintenance on this train on September 10, 2024, showed no anomalies, and the bearings and springs appeared nominal. However, SMRT had twice extended its overhaul intervals—beyond the stipulated 500,000 km—first to 575,000 km in August 2022, and then to 750,000 km in August 2024, citing overall fleet reliability. By the time of the incident, the train had clocked 690,000 km since its last overhaul in 2018. LTA notes that, had this train been overhauled 'in a more timely manner,' degraded grease could have been replaced sooner. The S$3 million penalty: Proportionate costs and public interest In determining the penalty, LTA weighed several factors: SMRT had already spent over S$10 million on emergency repairs, free shuttle buses and trains, and allowing commuters free travel between Jurong East and Buona Vista for the six-day duration. Rather than funnelling the fine to general revenue, LTA will channel the S$3 million into the Public Transport Fund, which supports lower-income families with travel subsidies—an acknowledgement that no matter how many repairs happen behind the scenes, commuters shoulder the immediate impact. SMRT Trains posted a net profit of S$7.5 million on revenues of S$886.7 million—meaning a S$3 million fine, while significant, is proportionate. Lessons learned, and the road ahead For half a million daily riders, six days without EWL service underscored how a single mechanical failure can ripple across an entire city's routines—from late-night hospital shifts to early-morning school commutes. LTA's final report makes one thing clear: routine maintenance and monitoring data must be treated as urgent red flags, not background noise. SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai acknowledged at a briefing that, despite decades of reliable service, 'a convergence of factors'—delayed train deliveries, extended overhaul intervals, supply-chain bottlenecks—'caught them off guard.' He added, 'In hindsight, we could perhaps have exercised greater caution in how we managed the transition and decommissioning of older trains.'
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Singapore's SMRT fined S$3m over six-day East-West Line disruption that derailed train and hit 500,000 commuters daily
SINGAPORE, June 4 — Singapore rail operator SMRT will be fined S$3 million (RM9.9 million) for a six-day disruption on the East-West Line in September 2024 that affected about 500,000 train journeys daily, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced. LTA said the fine is proportionate given the circumstances, including SMRT's costs for repairs and free bus and shuttle services during the disruption between Jurong East and Buona Vista stations, according to a report in The Straits Times today. The disruption began on September 25, 2024, when a train's axle box — a component linking the wheels to the axle — dislodged near Dover station while being withdrawn from service. The dislodged part caused a bogie to derail, severely damaging 2.55km of track and equipment such as power cables and the third rail that supplies electricity to trains. Investigations found that degraded grease likely caused the axle bearings to overheat, leading to the failure of the axle box and its mounting chevron springs, which then disintegrated due to the heat. A monitoring system detected an abnormally high temperature of 118°C on the affected axle box earlier that day, but a system error prevented SMRT from identifying the train, and no action was taken. The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau also investigated and considered two potential causes: failure of the bearings due to degraded grease, or deterioration of the chevron springs, but could not determine the more likely cause due to extensive damage. LTA noted that SMRT had extended overhaul intervals for the train from the required 500,000km to 750,000km by 2024, with the affected train having travelled 690,000km since its last overhaul in 2018. The authority said timely overhaul could have detected degraded grease earlier, and has since tightened oversight of maintenance schedule changes for critical systems. Following the incident, SMRT overhauled all similar trains with over 500,000km mileage and introduced improvements including better temperature monitoring, alert systems, and reduced train withdrawal speeds. All remaining first-generation Kawasaki trains will be phased out by September, and future train purchases will include longer buffers for potential supply disruptions. Train services resumed on October 1, 2024, after extensive restoration work was completed.
Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- General
- Independent Singapore
27-year-old man steals CDC vouchers and S$105 after breaking into Jurong West flat
Photo: Freepik (for illustration purposes only). SINGAPORE: After the Singapore Police Force was alerted to a case of housebreaking and theft at a residential unit along Jurong West Street 93 last weekend, a 27-year-old man was arrested. At around 7:55 a.m. on May 31, the police received an alert after a man had broken into the unit earlier that day and stolen cash amounting to S$55 and RM168 (S$50). He was also said to have taken printed copies of S$193 Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers. Within four hours of receiving the alert, officers from Jurong Police Division, Clementi Police Division, and Police Operations Command Centre were able to identify and arrest the man. His identity was determined through the aid of Police cameras and CCTV footage, and he was arrested along Jurong East Street 32. Upon his arrest, the cash and CDC vouchers were recovered from the man's possession, the SPF said. He was charged on Monday (Jun 2) with the offence of housebreaking to commit theft under Section 451 of the Penal Code 1871. If he is convicted of housebreaking to commit an offence, he faces a jail sentence of up to 10 years, as well as a fine. News reports that followed have identified the man as Muhammad Hizwan Hashim, adding that he was convicted on a similar charge of housebreaking in 2016. He is said to have entered the premises of the unit at Jurong West Street 93 shortly after 3 a.m. on May 31, unlocking the window grills in the living room so he could gain access to the unit. After he was convicted in 2016, he was ordered to undergo reformative training, which included strict discipline, drills, and counselling, according to a report in the Malay Mail. His case is scheduled to be mentioned again on Jun 30. 'The Police would like to advise all house owners to adopt the following crime prevention measures: Secure all doors, roller shutters, windows, grills, and other openings with good-quality grilles and close-shackle padlocks when leaving your premises unattended, even for a short while. Refrain from keeping large sums of cash and valuables in your premises; and Install a burglar alarm, motion sensor lights, and/ or CCTVs to cover the access points into your premises. Ensure that they are tested periodically and are in good working condition,' the SPF said in its Jun 1 statement. /TISG See also Food delivery rider caught on cam stealing iPhone Read also: Girl, 16, teams up with boys ages 12-15 to beat up & rob a taxi driver, and steal cigarettes from a coffee shop
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Singapore transport operator SMRT hit with S$3m fine after major East-West Line breakdown last Sept
SINGAPORE, June 3 — Singapore's public transport operator SMRT will be fined S$3 million (S$1 = RM3.30) following a six-day MRT service disruption on the East-West Line (EWL) in September last year, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA). LTA said that in determining the penalty amount, the agency took into account that SMRT had borne the cost of repairs and had provided free bridging buses and regular bus services, as well as shuttle train services at the affected stations. 'It also provided free travel to passengers alighting at Jurong East and Buona Vista stations for the six days of disruption. The total costs amounted to over S$10 million,' it said in a statement on Tuesday. The penalty will be channelled to the Public Transport Fund to help lower-income families with their public transport expenses. LTA said its investigation into the September 25 to 30, 2024 service disruption concluded that the likely cause was degraded grease in the axle box, which subsequently led to overheating and failure. This conclusion was supported by the presence and location of burnt rubber and metal pieces from the chevron springs found along the path of the affected train. However, the agency noted that it was not possible to establish a definitive root cause. On September 25, 2024, a dislodged axle box caused the wheels of the third car of a Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) train to fall off the track, damaging the tracks between Dover station and Ulu Pandan Depot. The incident resulted in MRT service disruption between Jurong East and Buona Vista stations. Repair works were carried out over six days, and full services resumed on Oct 1, 2024. — Bernama
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
10 stalls at Teban Gardens Food Centre worth planting yourself at
We all know the big names in Jurong — Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre, Yuhua Market & Hawker Centre, etc. But what if I told you there's a hidden gem tucked away in a quiet corner of Jurong East? Say hello to Teban Gardens Food Centre, an under-the-radar hawker centre full of cheap and good eats. Established in 1976, this food centre houses 28 stalls (mostly run by the elderly, I've noticed). While it is not the biggest, it carries a variety of cuisines at super affordable prices! It is most popular among elderly residents and nearby office workers during lunchtime. With that, here are 10 stalls at Teban Gardens Food Centre that'll leaf you wanting more. Kicking things off with something SPICY! Masala Curry Chicken Noodle brings the heat to Teban Gardens with their hearty curry dishes that carry a flavour reminiscent of my days in primary and secondary school. Fun fact: my secondary school is within walking distance from the food centre. At S$5.50/S$6.50, their signature Curry Chicken Noodle comes with pieces of thick, meaty chicken, potato, sponge-y tau pok (fried beancurd puff) and crunchy tau geh (bean sprouts). A bite of the yellow noodle and curry gravy combo promises an explosion of flavour in your mouth (and stomach, but I won't get into that). They've also got Pork Ribs Curry Rice/Noodle (S$6.50) for those who prefer a different protein instead. Daily: 8am – 3pm S$2 Duck Porridge? In this economy? I'm left wondering how the auntie running the stall can sustain her business to this day. Tan Hock Seng Cooked Food serves a variety of classic braised meat dishes with rice/noodles, like the aforementioned Duck/Chicken Porridge (S$2), Chicken Feet Noodle (S$3) and (S$4). Their porridge sells out pretty fast, so be sure to head down early to secure a bowl. In its stead, I tried their Kway Chap, which was easily above average — silky rice noodles in a light herbal broth, paired with fresh and tender braised pork belly and intestines. Their chilli had a piquant kick that accompanied the dish perfectly. Daily: 9am – 2.30pm To keep this 'under S$3 per dish' streak going is 捷兴 JH, run by an uncle who has allegedly been hawkering at Teban Gardens for over 40 years! With only 3 items on the menu priced at S$2.50/S$3: Fishball Noodle Soup, Fishball Noodle Dry and Fishball Soup, I think it's pretty clear what they specialise in. Although they haven't got many Google reviews, what they do have is a loyal following of regulars who enjoy JH's springy fishballs and noodles loaded with minced meat. Their chilli is said to have quite the kick, so I'd recommend opting for a less spicy version if you're worried about your spice tolerance. Mon to Sat: 5am – 2pm Closed on Sun Here's a classic. I mean, what's a hawker centre without a chicken rice stall, right? Even then, with its vibrant blue signage, Poh Poh Roasted Chicken Rice easily stood out in the crowd. It's one of the few stalls here that open till night, for those of you who can't wake up in the morning (no judgement, same here). They serve classic roast meats like Roasted Chicken Rice (S$4/S$5/S$6) and Roasted Duck Rice (S$5), just to name a few. If anyone's interested in bringing some home to share, they have an option for a Whole chicken (S$30) and a Whole duck (S$45), too. Poh Poh's Roasted Chicken and Meat (S$7) was loaded with ingredients, especially with the addition of the Braised egg (S$0.70) and Braised Pig Skin (S$1). Special shoutout to the pork belly slices that had a beautifully crackly skin that was well-seasoned with salt. You're guaranteed a hearty and satisfying meal here! Fri to Wed: 7.30am – 8.30pm (Opening Hours are not verified) Closed on Thu Facebook Okay, let's take a quick break with some dessert. Previously known as Granny's Pancake, The Story of Job sells soft and fluffy min jiang kueh with a variety of delicious fillings. From classics like Coconut ($1.20) and Red Bean ($1.20), to an indulgent Hz'nut Choc P'nut ($1.40), there's bound to be something for every sweet tooth here. As a self-proclaimed min jiang kueh connoisseur, I'd highly recommend the Peanut w/ Sweet Corn (S$1.40). The crunchy sweet peanuts paired well with the creamy corn mixture that was lightly salted, making for a yummy sweet and savoury combination. They even sell a handful of traditional desserts such as Green Bean Soup (S$1.70) and Beancurd with (S$2), if that's more up your alley instead. Wed to Sat, Mon: 5.30am – 2pm Sun: 5.30am – 1pm Closed on TueOrder Delivery: foodpanda 11 best food places at Jurong Point for munching in the West's largest mall Craving a delicious grilled protein after a grilling workout session? Cornerstall Do & Me BBQ Fried Chicken Western Food's got you covered. With over 30 dishes on their menu covering a range from Chicken Chop (S$6.50), Mushroom Chicken Spaghetti (S$5.50) to even a Sirloin Steak (S$15) if you're feeling a little more bougie. Most protein mains come with a side of crinkly-cut fries, baked beans and coleslaw. It's pretty standard, but portions are generous and at this price? Say less. Wed to Sun: 12pm – 7.30pm Closed on Mon & Tue The outermost right row of this food centre hosts most of the Muslim food stalls, and P. Baharnisha Muslim Food Stall is a notable one. They serve a plethora of authentic Malay and Indian dishes packed with bold flavours at budget prices (are you starting to see the trend here?) I can imagine myself coming here for a plate of their signature sweet yet fiery (S$4.50), or a Roti with Egg (S$1.80) for an indulgent breakfast. By the way, they also sell , which I don't see often in food centres! For just S$1.30 a piece, you can get your hands on this delicately sweet pancake-like treat that carries a subtle tanginess. Mon to Sat: 5am – 10am, 11am – 7:30pm Sun: 5am – 10 am, 11am – 5.30pm Only open till 10am, Haji E-Moiden Food Stall prides themselves in their legendary roti prata made fresh daily, said to have a crispy exterior while moist and fluffy on the inside. Pick from your favourite classic flavours, starting with the cheapest Plain (S$1.20) to the priciest Egg Cheese (S$2.50). Aside from the usual curries, I'm especially stoked that they offer sambal tumis upon request! Super Malaysian style. If you've never had your prata with sambal, this is your sign to head down and try it for yourself. Beyond just their food, this stall is also known for their excellent service. Many customers have praised the owners' consistent friendly demeanour despite pressure from the long queues. Tue to Sun: 5am – 10am Closed on Mon Facebook | Easily recognisable by its long queues, Le Ping Healthy Fish Meat Soup is known for their low-calorie, deliciously fresh fish soups. What sets this stall apart from the usual fish soup stalls is that every bowl comes with bitter gourd. I know, it's either something you love or hate but cooked in this flavourful broth, it definitely lends it a tasteful balance. Try their Batang Fish Meat Fish Maw Bitter Gourd Mee Sua Soup (S$6/S$10) (what a mouthful) to find out! Other bowls are also similarly priced at S$6/S$10, and the ones with more premium ingredients take it up a notch to S$10/S$16. Daily: 6am – 4pm Ending our list off with Mr Mysterious. The name listed on their signage, 大排擋 (dà pái dǎng), translates to 'big license stall'. It is a type of traditional food stall in Hong Kong, characterised by an open-air space and affordable eats. With all that being said, I still couldn't find their stall on the internet. All you need to know is that they serve up 13 types of nourishing Cantonese-style soups such as the Lotus Root Pork Ribs Soup (S$4.50) and Black Chicken Soup (S$5.80). They also do -style dishes, albeit with a smaller variety than a stall specialising in it. Regardless, it would pair nicely with the warm, hearty soups. Unfortunately, their opening hours aren't listed online. But if you happen to be at the food centre and see that it's open, do give it a try! Although only 10 stalls were mentioned in this guide, don't limit yourself to this list! Do take note that most stalls are open from morning until early afternoon only, and… the early bird catches the worm, yeah? Don't say I didn't warn you! The next time you want to introduce your friends to a hidden hawker gem in the West, just bring them to Teban Gardens Food Centre. 13 best food places in Westgate to eat from when visiting Jurong The post 10 stalls at Teban Gardens Food Centre worth planting yourself at appeared first on
