Day 1 of Circle Line service works: Confusion among passengers, timely staff guidance

Service adjustments will last until April 19 while tunnels are strengthened

- Esther Loi

Paya Lebar MRT station around 8.30am on Jan 17. While some passengers were already aware of the service adjustments, they were still confused about the trains they had to take, as the shuttle train required them to embark at either Paya Lebar or Mountbatten before continuing their journey.

(ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY)

Many passengers who faced longer waiting times on the first day of service adjustments on the Circle Line (CCL) seemed confused, but were able to continue their journeys with the timely guidance from ground staff.

When The Sunday Times visited Paya Lebar station from 7.45am to 8.30am on Jan 17, passenger flow was smooth, although longer waiting intervals of 10 minutes for each train heading towards Mountbatten led to small groups of eight to 10 gathering at each door.

There were at least 10 crowd marshals armed with light batons and loudspeakers on each CCL platform at Paya Lebar and Mountbatten stations. They were seen actively approaching passengers to guide them.

The shuttle trains running on a single platform between Mountbatten, Dakota and Paya Lebar stations arrived every 8½ to 9½ minutes.

While some passengers were already aware of the service adjustments, they were still confused about the trains they had to take, as the shuttle train required them to disembark at either Paya Lebar or Mountbatten stations before continuing their journey on the CCL.

Ms Karen Siau, 63, knew of the service adjustments beforehand because of the early installation of large banners at the station, and planned to leave her home in Eunos 10 minutes earlier to account for the longer waiting time.

But the sales executive said she had to clarify her travel route with the ground staff, as it was the first time she was travelling this route following the service adjustments.