ATSB to investigate Sydney–Melbourne rail line

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will conduct an independent systemic investigation into operations on the interstate rail line between Sydney and Melbourne in response to a request from the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP.

The systemic investigation follows a number of specific incidents on the rail line, which is leased and operated by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).

As part of the systemic investigation, the ATSB will look at all relevant matters including:

• The operational condition of the interstate rail track and measures being put in place to maintain the safety of rail operations where track quality is below acceptable operational standards;
• Actions undertaken by the ARTC to remediate the track and address the safety of operations;
• Safeworking practices in relation to the track; and,
• A systemic review of safety systems, including signalling and the quality assurance of work undertaken on the track.