❓ Hon Steve Martin questions the safety of C-series trains, citing driver concerns. The parliamentary secretary responds, highlighting ongoing collaboration with the RTBU to address feedback and implement improvements.
AnsweredQoN 349Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
C-series trains
349. Hon Steve Martin to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Transport:
I refer to the
rushed implementation of the government's C-series trains and reports that C-series
train drivers expressed significant concerns about the trains in a leaked
survey report.
(1) Can the minister guarantee that C-series
trains are pulled from service for immediate maintenance whenever the following
issues are reported by C-series train drivers:
(a) doors opening or
closing when they should not;
(b) any braking inconsistencies or other reported
braking issues;
(c) difficulty communicating using the passenger
emergency intercom;
(d) difficulty communicating
using the train radio;
(e) platform detection issues;
(f) auto speed issues causing surging and/or
over-speeding; and
(g) excessive swaying or lateral movement at speed?
(2) How many times have drivers reported each of
the issues listed in (1)?
349. Hon Steve Martin to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Transport:
I refer to the
rushed implementation of the government's C-series trains and reports that C-series
train drivers expressed significant concerns about the trains in a leaked
survey report.
(1) Can the minister guarantee that C-series
trains are pulled from service for immediate maintenance whenever the following
issues are reported by C-series train drivers:
(a) doors opening or
closing when they should not;
(b) any braking inconsistencies or other reported
braking issues;
(c) difficulty communicating using the passenger
emergency intercom;
(d) difficulty communicating
using the train radio;
(e) platform detection issues;
(f) auto speed issues causing surging and/or
over-speeding; and
(g) excessive swaying or lateral movement at speed?
(2) How many times have drivers reported each of
the issues listed in (1)?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question and provide the following
answer on behalf of the Minister for Transport.
(1)–(2) Driver and passenger feedback is
absolutely critical to ensure the new C-series trains meet the needs of our
workers and the community. As part of our commitment to ongoing improvements of
the new C-series trains, the Public Transport Authority and the state
government have been working constructively with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union to
incorporate driver feedback on changes that will improve driver comfort and operability.
Solutions have already been developed in response to some feedback from drivers;
for example, a software update is being rolled out for the air-conditioning
system and a trial of new driver seats is set to commence shortly. Some things,
like ergonomic matters, only emerge following a new fleet's entry to service,
so we are appreciative of drivers' patience as these issues are identified and fixed.
A workshop with the RTBU, drivers, the PTA and Alstom will be held in the
coming weeks to work through the driver feedback and develop a work schedule to
upgrade the drivers' cabins on existing C-series trains and incorporate any
design changes into all new trains coming off the assembly line. The PTA is
also working towards a range of other enhancements that will improve passenger
comfort, such as changes to seating layout.
honourable member for some notice of the question and provide the following
answer on behalf of the Minister for Transport.
(1)–(2) Driver and passenger feedback is
absolutely critical to ensure the new C-series trains meet the needs of our
workers and the community. As part of our commitment to ongoing improvements of
the new C-series trains, the Public Transport Authority and the state
government have been working constructively with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union to
incorporate driver feedback on changes that will improve driver comfort and operability.
Solutions have already been developed in response to some feedback from drivers;
for example, a software update is being rolled out for the air-conditioning
system and a trial of new driver seats is set to commence shortly. Some things,
like ergonomic matters, only emerge following a new fleet's entry to service,
so we are appreciative of drivers' patience as these issues are identified and fixed.
A workshop with the RTBU, drivers, the PTA and Alstom will be held in the
coming weeks to work through the driver feedback and develop a work schedule to
upgrade the drivers' cabins on existing C-series trains and incorporate any
design changes into all new trains coming off the assembly line. The PTA is
also working towards a range of other enhancements that will improve passenger
comfort, such as changes to seating layout.
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