Train Breakdown along Circle Line - My Personal Ordeal

Like many Singaporeans, i am frustrated with the constant train breakdowns in Singapore although as of two days ago, my work journeys have been relatively unaffected since i started taking the newest Circle Line last October.

It's just a matter of time; as some wise men warned before.

That auspicious time came yesterday; when i was super desperate to start work at around eight-ish to complete some budget variation analysis! As usual, i was busy playing angry birds and was entirely absorbed in a hard-to-get-three-star level in the "season" episode.

Something was amiss - the train didn't seem to be moving, the carriage was getting stuffy and the commuters were getting restless. This stalemate situation lasted for around 15-20 minutes before the train inched forward for a few seconds and braked abruptly .

I can definitely hear people falling in the next few carriages (god bless the elderly and the preggies). From then on, the train was travelling at such a slow speed to Caldecott station; my late grandfather could easily outwalk it!

Best of all, it was announced via a deadpan official voice that the train shall terminate its service at Caldecott station. No explanation was ever given despite the painful lesson SMRT (the train operator) learnt last year (which eventually resulted in a court inquiry that is ironically scheduled this week)!

SMRT has insisted that announcements were broadcasted. BULLSHIT!! 

We didn't hear a single shit in the stationary train that was stuck between Marymount and Caldecott. At the station, the announcement was so soft; they might as well bloody save the electricity and switch it off! 

That's just the tip of the iceberg - if i may clarify. 

Upon reaching Caldecott station, passengers were left wondering if they should wait for another train. Two SMRT staff were around but not to provide any sort of helpful assistance except to tell us "we don't know what happen. Our engineers are looking into it", "the wait for the next train might be 20 minutes" and "we have no idea". 

I could not afford to wait and as we know by now, the train route from Bishan to One-North was in fact down for 150 minutes (seven times their estimate)! Anyway, I impatiently proceeded to one of the exits, expecting free shuttles as i read in the newspapers. 

What free shuttles?! 

There's not even a train staff outside the station except for co-passengers who were trying to flag down cabs or walking to one of the nearby bus stops. I am not so fortunate; i have to walk 700 meters to the bus stop near Macritchie reservoir. 

After taking a bus to upper Bukit Timah road and making another bus transfer to Kent Ridge bus terminal, i tiredly, albeit triumphantly, stepped into the office at 9.30am.

An enlightening trip, no doubt. 

And SMRT, i am f*beep*cking watching you.