❓ Hon Steve Martin asks about the disruption to train services on 2026-02-26 due to lightning strikes. The PTA details the damage, decision-making process for line closures, and existing mitigation strategies.
AnsweredQoN 1282Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the disruption of Mandurah, Thornlie Cockburn, and Yanchep line train services during peak hour on the morning of Thursday 26 February 2026, and I ask: (a) noting the statement that "lightning strikes affected the train network's signalling", can a more detailed explanation be provided in relation to: (i) areas of lightning activity; (ii) how the train network signalling was "affected" / impacted, technically; and (iii) remedies taken to address the issue; (b) what policy or procedure guides determination of line closures due to lightning activity; and (c) are any future mitigation strategies being considered?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 May 2026
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport
Response time
7 days
(a) The Public Transport Authority advises that lightning activity affecting the Cockburn area damaged the protecting fuse on a signalling interlocking processor and a switch machine. There was also damage to an equipment cabinet power supply.
Collectively this impacted the performance of the signalling system where signals could not be set to proceed. The signalling system reverted to a safe state until repairs were completed.
The equipment failure occurred at approximately 8:00am, and by 9:30am the critical assets were back in service. The remaining assets were repaired by noon on the same day.
(b) The decision to suspend train services and implement rail replacement buses to allow safe maintenance access and enable effective and timely repairs is made by the Operations Manager of Transperth Trains Operations, in consultation with the relevant Infrastructure Manager and Network Control Staff.
(c) PTA uses industry standard measures to protect equipment from lightning activity; however, it cannot always be guaranteed.
Collectively this impacted the performance of the signalling system where signals could not be set to proceed. The signalling system reverted to a safe state until repairs were completed.
The equipment failure occurred at approximately 8:00am, and by 9:30am the critical assets were back in service. The remaining assets were repaired by noon on the same day.
(b) The decision to suspend train services and implement rail replacement buses to allow safe maintenance access and enable effective and timely repairs is made by the Operations Manager of Transperth Trains Operations, in consultation with the relevant Infrastructure Manager and Network Control Staff.
(c) PTA uses industry standard measures to protect equipment from lightning activity; however, it cannot always be guaranteed.
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