GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

ITSRR seeks nominations for RSSF

The Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator (ITSRR) has called for nominations from the rail industry for membership of the Rail Safety Strategic Forum (RSSF). The Forum was established in 2005 to provide ITSRR and representatives of the rail industry with the opportunity to exchange ideas and to discuss strategic rail safety issues. The Forum comprises up to 14 members including representatives of NSW rail operators, unions and ITSRR. Nominations for members for a two-year term are invited until 26 February 2008.

New breath analysis standards

ITSRR has published an information alert regarding changes to the way the concentration of alcohol may be measured and reported when a person undergoes a breath analysis. Rail safety workers will not be subjected to different testing procedures as a result of this change and there has been no change to the current prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA) offences. The amendments enable breath analysis in NSW to meet new national standards of measurement, which require the results of evidentiary breath analysers to be displayed as the concentration of grammes of alcohol present in 210 litres of breath, rather than 100 millilitres of blood. The legislation also allows for both breath and blood alcohol evidence to be admissible in court during the changeover of breath analysers to the new standards.

Rail safety laws track a safer way

New rail safety legislation introduced to Queensland Parliament aims to make train travel safer for passengers and improve safety for rail workers across the state. Transport Minister John Mickel told parliament that the Transport (Rail Safety) Bill 2008 would see rail operators and government working hand-in-hand to boost safety standards. The bill requires all operators to have and implement a range of plans, including fatigue and emergency management plans, as well as raising skill requirements for rail safety workers. "Rail safety is entering a new era and this legislation will bring Queensland in line with national standards that all states and territories are working towards," Mr Mickel said.

New Public Transport Ombudsman

Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky has welcomed experienced lawyer and complaint resolution specialist Simon Cohen as the new Public Transport Ombudsman for Victoria. Mr Cohen is only the second Public Transport Ombudsman to be appointed since the office was established in April 2004. “With an extensive background in complaint handling, investigation and resolution, Mr Cohen is well-qualified for the role and a worthy successor to inaugural Ombudsman James Hartnett,” Ms Kosky said.

Blitz sends message to fare evaders

More than 2000 non-ticket holders have been hit with fines and warnings as a fare evasion blitz continues across the QR Citytrain network. Minister for Transport John Mickel said since the crackdown began on 9 January, TransLink transit officers had issued 407 on-the-spot fines of $150 and 1781 warnings on weekday mornings. “Fare evasion is really unfair on the people who do the right thing, not to mention its impact on the revenue directed back into subsidised fares and infrastructure,” Mr Mickel said.

Vite Vite Road upgrade complete

Minister for Public Transport Lynne Kosky has announced the completion of a $350,000 upgrade to the railway level crossing on Vite Vite Road, Derrinallum, significantly improving safety for motorists and rail passengers. Ms Kosky said the crossing had been upgraded to boost its safety features as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to improve safety at level crossings across the state.

GOVERNMENT CONTINUED

Five new trams for Melbourne

The Victorian Government will boost Melbourne’s busiest tram route with five new trams under a unique international lease arrangement with France, Minister for Public Transport Lynne Kosky announced. Ms Kosky said five new high-capacity, low-floor trams would be put on Route 96 (East Brunswick-St Kilda Beach) as part of the Government’s plan to meet unprecedented patronage growth ahead of a long-term tram procurement program. “This deal is about ensuring our iconic tram network keeps pace with Victoria’s growing and changing transport needs and delivers on the Brumby (Victorian) Government’s commitment to continue finding new and innovative ways to improve public transport,” Ms Kosky said.

Reducing human factor accidents

Reducing common mistakes that result in nearly half of all human factor-caused train accidents is the aim of a new federal regulation that places greater accountability on both railroad management and employees for complying with basic operating rules, United States Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced. "We are tackling several common place errors that can lead to serious train accidents," Ms Peters said, noting issuance of this rule is the centerpiece of the Federal Railroad Administration’s National Rail Safety Action Plan. Ms Peters explained that relatively simple errors such as improperly lined track switches, shoving rail cars without a person in front to monitor for clear track ahead and leaving rail cars in a position that obstruct or foul an active track may now result in a violation of federal rail safety regulations.

INDUSTRY

ARA fortnightly update

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) released its fortnightly update on 8 February 2008. Stories in this edition include:

• Development Advisory Board
• Railway rolling stock - Drawgear Standards
• Launch of Industry Strategy
• ARA Strategic Plan 2007 - 2017

Connex appoints new Chairman

Connex Melbourne has appointed Jonathan Metcalfe, former Chief Executive Officer of Great North Eastern Railways (GNER) in the United Kingdom, as its new Chairman. Mr Metcalfe has hit the ground running meeting with key players in the transport sector in Melbourne. With a diverse background in industrial relations, human resources and general management, Mr Metcalfe will use his business and customer service skills to guide the Connex team delivering rail services to its customers. His key focus will be ensuring that Connex retains the train franchise that is subject to a tender process this year. 

ACCIDENTS

Ghan level crossing collision: ATSB report

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation into a December 2006 collision between The Ghan passenger train and a double road-train has found that the accident occurred because the road-train was driven through a 'Stop' sign at a level crossing at an estimated speed of 50 kilometres per hour. The final report by the ATSB also found that The Ghan hit the road-train just behind its prime mover at a speed of 101 kilometres per hour at the Fountain Head Road level crossing at Ban Ban Springs, about 170 kilometres south-east of Darwin. Both of the train’s locomotives, a wagon and nine passenger carriages, subsequently derailed. Many of the 64 passengers and 17 staff on board sustained minor injuries with the driver of the road-train and one passenger hospitalised for several days following the collision.