Question regarding evacuation procedures for the Northbridge Link underground bus station in the event of a bus fire, specifically addressing evacuation times for passengers with disabilities and infants, and potential chimney effect. The answer provides evacuation times and clarifies evacuation procedures.

AnsweredQoN 4431Legislative Assembly
Asked
13 August 2015
Portfolio
Transport

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the underground bus station being constructed in the Northbridge Link project and I ask: (a) how long will it take to evacuate passengers from a bus which happens to catch fire on the bus ramps to or from the surface at the underground bus station; (b) will this evacuation time be impacted if a passenger is in a wheel chair: (i) what is the expected additional time in this situation; and (ii) Is it expected that the bus driver will need additional personnel to effect an evacuation in this situation; (c) will this evacuation time be impacted if a passenger is an infant in a pram: (i) what is the expected additional time in this situation; and (ii) Is it expected that the bus driver will need additional personnel to effect an evacuation in this situation; (d) In this circumstances, given the potential for a "chimney effect" in the ramp, will passengers be required to evacuate back into the bus station; and (e) In this circumstances of a bus fire in the ramp to or from the surface, will all passengers and staff in the bus station be required to evacuate the bus station?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
15 September 2015
Responded by
Minister for Transport
Response time
33 days
(a) All pedestrian and evacuation modelling demonstrate that all passengers can be evacuated from buses on the ramps or within the Busport in four to six minutes.
(b) No.
(i) Not applicable
(ii)-(c) No.
(i) Not applicable
(ii)-(d) No.
(e) Yes, however the blockage of one bus entry ramp does not restrict emergency egress given that there is three ground level entrances for commuters at Yagan Square, Queen Street and King Street. There is also two bus entry ramps, one at Wellington Street and one at Milligan Street so the alternate bus entry ramp will be used to evacuate vehicles from the station if necessary.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more