FOR the first time in 10 years, about 57,000 commuters were stranded in the east of Singapore during the morning rush hour as MRT train services were disrupted for over seven hours.

The delay was caused by the breakdown of a maintenance works train which was carrying out work between Tampines and Simei MRT stations.

The SMRT said in a statement that "there were some damages to the maintenance works train", and that they are
investigating the cause.

It said in a statement that this was the longest delay in a decade.

During the disruption, the SMRT tried to bridge services by ferrying affected passengers between Pasir Ris and Tanah Merah stations.

The company deployed 40 SMRT buses and 30 SBST buses to help the passengers who were stuck.

The SMRT added that westbound shuttle trains serving Tampines, Simei and Tanah Merah MRT stations operated at a 28-minute interval to ease the passenger flow.

Still, the move to ease waiting time was to no avail.

Commuters lashed out at the SMRT over its "crisis management" skills and are fuming over the lack of shuttle services.

Ms Monica Yong, one of the marooned travellers, said: "The SMRT staff sent everyone to take the buses, but there were not enough buses!"

Also in a similar plight was NSman John Er, 18, who was caught by the chaos.

Mr Er ended up taking the shuttle bus from Pasir Ris to Tampines thinking that he could avoid the delay.

Unfortunately for him, he ended up having to transfer to Tanah Merah to get on a working train to take him to Outram for his medical appointment at the Singapore General Hospital.

The SMRT has apologised for the inconvenience caused.