Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 335

❓ Hon Steven Martin asks a series of detailed questions regarding the safety, training, and operational aspects of the C-series trains, based on concerns raised by the RTBU survey of WA train drivers. The response to part (a) refers to a previous answer.

AnsweredQoN 335Legislative Council

Asked

19 June 2025

Member

Hon Steven Martin

Portfolio

Transport

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I refer to the Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union (RTBU) survey of Western Australian (WA) train drivers, and I ask: (a) is the report that "transparency of information is limited from Alstom to driver coordinators as the breakdowns of C-series that happen isn't recorded for drivers to see so they can learn from these incidents" accurate; (b) if no to (a), what information on C-series breakdowns is shared with drivers; (c) can an example of the information in (b) be tabled; (d) is it accurate that there are no fault books for C-series trains; (e) have drivers received training for C-series trains delivered by trainers who were only themselves trained within the preceding two weeks; (f) is the report that "the emergency brake handle cannot be reached whilst sitting in the [driver's] seat" accurate; (g) is it accurate that drivers cannot manually override the "doors closing" process; (h) in relation to (g), why are drivers not able to do this; (i) is it accurate that there is no lockout device on the C-series railcars; (j) one driver reports that "...I never had the opportunity to familiarise myself with the railcars as there was never a spare set of cars available to "play" with at the Claisebrook yard once I completed the C-series training", and noting that other drivers report they are only required to drive C-series trains infrequently, what ability is provided with drivers to practice driving C-series trains, on request, after initial training; (k) one driver reports that "The DAVS camera are crap I've shut the doors multiple times on elderly as you can't see them exiting the door...". What steps are being taken to address the DAVS camera issues, or does the Government disagree there is an issue; and (l) one driver reports that "...first drive of C-series was 6 months after course!!". Given training policy and procedures, should this be possible?