GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

Police crackdown on rail crime

Minister for Police Tony Kelly and Minister for Transport David Campbell have said the results of the latest operation cracking down on rail crime sent a clear message that crime and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated on trains. Mr Kelly said Operation Vision 4 - a joint operation between NSW Police and RailCorp security - resulted in 2395 people being arrested and 2216 charges being laid since September. “The latest results from Operation Vision 4 show that police are working effectively with Railcorp staff to stop crime on our rail network,” Mr Kelly said.

Search begins for electric trains

The South Australian Government has begun the search for 50 new electric trains as part of its massive $2 billion plan to revitalise the public transport system. An invitation for manufacturers and suppliers of electric trains to lodge expressions of interest and open up communication about South Australia’s needs will be advertised on 9 May 2009. Transport Minister Patrick Conlon said it is the start of a process to find the best trains to run on Adelaide’s electrified rail network.

$2 billion boost to transport networks

New tracks, stations and rail network improvements are the centre pieces of a $2.07 billion boost to public transport services, signalling the start of major projects and up to 10,000 jobs a year as outlined in the Victorian Government’s $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the 2009 State Budget started delivery of the South Morang rail extension, the Sunbury rail line electrification and three new train stations at Williams Landing, Lynbrook and Caroline Springs to give thousands of Victorians access to metropolitan services for the first time.

Milestone for Cronulla duplication project

Transport Minister David Campbell and Member for Miranda Barry Collier have inspected progress on the Cronulla Rail Line Duplication and Upgrading Project, which includes the construction of new lifts at two stations. Mr Collier said significant progress was made on the project during the recent three week rail closedown, which enabled a range of construction activities to be undertaken while trains were not operating. “I’m pleased that major works planned during the closedown were completed successfully, especially those activities which have allowed the opening of station lifts at Kirrawee and Woolooware,” Mr Collier said.

Resumption of Cairns Tilt Train service

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan has welcomed news that the Cairns Tilt Train service will resume. Ms Nolan said it had been decided to suspend the service as safety concerns had been raised as part of the on-going investigation of last November’s tilt train crash near Cardwell. "The Rail Safety Regulator is satisfied that the matters raised in relation to the design and build of the tilt train locomotive have been addressed," Ms Nolan said.

Transport links for regional areas

The Victorian Government will invest $342 million to continue building the transport links needed to underpin regional economic growth, support key regional industries and connect communities. Minister for Public Transport Lynne Kosky said that through record investment in new rail links, major road upgrades and freight link improvements, the 2009 State Budget built on the Government’s commitment to making regional and rural Victoria the best place to live, work and raise a family. “Over the past decade we have rebuilt regional Victoria’s road and transport network, implemented the biggest-ever overhaul of the regional train network and invested in 54 new V’Locity carriages to meet the growing demand for regional rail travel,” Ms Kosky said.

INDUSTRY

Connex to reduce speed restrictions

Connex has announced it is working to reduce the number of locations at which Siemens speed restrictions are in place by more than two thirds - a move that when implemented will help to improve train punctuality. “We are currently working with PTSV (Public Transport Safety Victoria) and hope to reduce the number of locations from 300 to 62, so that the speed restrictions only apply to those locations that have a level crossing or pedestrian crossing after the station,” Connex Executive Chairman Jonathan Metcalfe said. “Obviously this is a safety issue, so we’re taking it very seriously, and working closely with PTSV on the decision.”

Inland rail study - first stage results

Australian Rail Track Corporation has released the results of the first stage of the Melbourne-Brisbane Inland Rail Alignment Study. The Australian Government announced the study in March 2008 to determine the economic benefits and likely commercial success of a new standard gauge inland railway between Melbourne and Brisbane along with the potential optimum alignment. It will provide the Government and private sector with information that will help guide future investment decisions, including likely demand and an estimated construction cost. The first stage of the study has been focused on preliminary evaluations of likely demand, capital costs and operating costs to determine a route for further detailed analysis.

ARA applauds level crossing project

The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments are allocating $140 million of the 2009/10 budgets to run railway tracks below the Springvale Road, Nunawading and remove the high risk level crossing. The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) Chief Executive Officer Bryan Nye has welcomed the announcement and applauds the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments for their continued efforts to improve level crossing safety. Announced by Victorian Premier John Brumby, and set for completion by 2010, the project will improve the safety of road users, train drivers and train passengers using the intersection.

Rail safety performance and trends

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has published its Annual Safety Performance Report for 2008. Anson Jack, Director of Policy, Research and Risk at RSSB said that against a backdrop of increased passenger numbers and freight traffic using the railways, RSSB’s report shows the industry maintaining a consistent or improving trend in the majority of key risk areas. “The railway is a very safe means of transport and the industry which delivers it remains focused on understanding the causes of those risks that do arise and introducing measures that will lead to reduce them,” Mr Jack said.

ACCIDENTS

Hijacked train crashes killing four people

Four passengers were killed and 11 others injured when an “unidentified” person hijacked a suburban train and drove it at high speed, resulting in a head-on collision with a goods train hauling empty oil wagons at Vyasarpadi Jiva railway station in Chennai, India on 29 April 2009. According to railway sources, the collision took place minutes after the suburban train rolled out of the Moore Market Complex (near Central Railway Station) at around 4.50am. The Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) jumped the red signal and took the wrong line. The train sped past the Basin Bridge Junction, the next scheduled stop, and rammed the goods train. A huge ball of fire engulfed two coaches immediately after the collision while the other coaches were thrown off the track. Investigators were unable to confirm whether the suspect was among the deceased.