GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

New train service on the Ipswich line

Transport Minister John Mickel and State Member for Mount Ommaney Julie Attwood have announced a new morning peak-hour service on the busy Ipswich line to help ease passenger demand ahead of further service enhancements early this year. Mr Mickel said from Monday 12 January a new service departing from Darra station at 6.35am and arriving at Central station at 7.04am would be introduced to help alleviate pressure on early morning Ipswich line services. “This new six-carriage service will provide an extra 450 seats and further room for 300 standing passengers during the height of peak hour,” Mr Mickel said.

Bike cage program extended across stations

Train commuters now can jump on their bike to connect with rail services following the completion of 23 new bike cages at stations across metropolitan Melbourne and key regional centres fulfilling a Victorian Government pledge to improve access for cyclists to public transport services. Visiting the new bike cage at Newport station, Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky announced a further 10 cages would be delivered this year. “I am delighted that 23 cages are now finished and we have released funding for a further 10 which will by the end of the year provide space for more than 850 bikes in secure and weather protected cages,” Ms Kosky said.

QR plans eight priority level crossing upgrades

QR has released details of eight priority level crossing upgrades for North Queensland that have been recommended by the QR Level Crossing Task Force. Detailed planning for work at the eight sites has begun under a $10 million funding package. This work will involve liaison with key parties including the Main Roads Department, Queensland Transport and the respective local authorities. The Task Force was formed by QR last month to consider level crossing safety risks in North Queensland following the tragic level crossing accident near Cardwell in late November in which two train drivers died. It includes safety and operational experts, train drivers and rail unions.

Tank cars to improve crashworthiness

In a move to enhance safety on the United States' railroads, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters has announced a final rule to improve the crashworthiness of railroad tank cars used to transport some of the most hazardous materials. “Strengthening rail hazmat tank cars will reduce the risk of spills and increase public safety should a train accident occur,” Ms Peters said. She noted the final rule is focused on poison inhalation hazard (PIH) materials like chlorine and anhydrous ammonia heavily used in water treatment, agricultural and industrial applications. The final rule requires PIH tank cars to have better puncture resistance from a side impact with a combination of thicker inner shells where the hazmat is held and/or thicker outer jackets depending on the specific hazmat being transported.

INDUSTRY

Heat speed restrictions in force

Scorching weather across Victoria will result in slower V/Line trains and delays to some services. On hot days V/Line puts heat speed restrictions in place as a safety precaution. This is common practice on rail networks around the world. General Manager Ursula McGinnes said services may run up to 30 minutes slower, with a small number of services fully or partially replaced by coaches. “Morning peak trains are generally unaffected by hot weather, however from midday people should allow extra travel time,” Ms McGinnes said.

ACCIDENTS

£75,000 fine after worker receives electric shock

Maintrain Limited, part of National Express Group, has been fined £75,000 and ordered to pay £8,584 in costs for failing to ensure the health and safety of people working in one of its maintenance depots. The prosecution brought by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) followed an incident on 16 February 2007 where a maintenance worker received an electric shock while working in Maintrain Limited’s Soho Light maintenance depot in Handsworth, Birmingham. The worker was removing a cover used to protect the train axles. The train, which should have been isolated, was electrified at the time. The worker suffered significant muscle damage to his chest, had burns to his hands and required treatment to his legs. An investigation by ORR’s railway inspectorate found inadequate risk assessment by the company and a failure to implement safe systems of work.