The reporter has raised the following concerns in relation to the overcrowding of passenger services when three car trains are being used during peak hour times.
The reporter states passengers are 'crammed' into services too small for demand (three car trains) resulting in the following unsafe conditions for travel:
- passengers having to lean on doors
- no room for passengers trying to get off as they are trapped
- passengers standing in isles filling every inch of the train
- children and disabled passengers are forced to miss their service due to no room for them to get on safely.
The reporter raises a further concern of the tragic consequence should the train crash or a derailment were to occur.
[Operator]-specific safety controls are:
1. Timetable set by [State department]
2. Fleet availability to meet timetable noting this can be impacted by operational issues and this is typical of other railways as well where cancelled services and/or three car sets may be used.
- 3. If fleet availability and timetable are not achievable due to operational restrictions, then:
Cancellation of services is not preferred (noting cancelling services does not aid density of people on trains).
4. Three (3) car sets considering:
- Typical patronage on normal service
- Compatibility of rollingstock and corridor operational requirements
- Connecting services
5. Other controls included:
- Customer communications
- Express running - typically when a following train is within 5 minutes
- Train announcement to inform customers of less crowded carriages.
ONRSR has reviewed the reporter’s concerns and operator’s response. In relation to this report the ONRSR is satisfied with the operator’s response outlining the risk controls.