Latest news with #C-Series
Sydney Morning Herald
19-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Faulty wiper, communications system forces Perth passengers off C-Series train
A faulty window wiper and passenger communication system forced all passengers off a C-Series train in Perth on Wednesday afternoon. Just after lunch, passengers were told to get off the service entering Perth underground and catch the next train because that train could no longer continue service. A Public Transport Authority spokeswoman described the problems as a minor technical issue, but confirmed the train had to make the 40-kilometre trip up the Yanchep line to the Nowergup depot to be fixed. 'The minor technical issue related to a windscreen wiper and a passenger communication system not operating as it should, which on rare occasions can occur on all trains the PTA operates,' she said. 'For operational reasons and out of precaution, it was determined the best option was for passengers to disembark and board a train following immediately behind, which is standard practice across all Transperth railcars when there is a technical issue. Loading 'After passengers disembarked, the train continued to travel up the line to Nowergup for this minor repair.' The spokeswoman said there was minimal disruption to timetabled services, and thanked passengers for their patience. The issue occurred at a heightened time for the WA government and PTA as the quality and reliability of its C-Series trains are thrust into the spotlight.
The Age
19-06-2025
- The Age
Faulty wiper, communications system forces Perth passengers off C-Series train
A faulty window wiper and passenger communication system forced all passengers off a C-Series train in Perth on Wednesday afternoon. Just after lunch, passengers were told to get off the service entering Perth underground and catch the next train because that train could no longer continue service. A Public Transport Authority spokeswoman described the problems as a minor technical issue, but confirmed the train had to make the 40-kilometre trip up the Yanchep line to the Nowergup depot to be fixed. 'The minor technical issue related to a windscreen wiper and a passenger communication system not operating as it should, which on rare occasions can occur on all trains the PTA operates,' she said. 'For operational reasons and out of precaution, it was determined the best option was for passengers to disembark and board a train following immediately behind, which is standard practice across all Transperth railcars when there is a technical issue. Loading 'After passengers disembarked, the train continued to travel up the line to Nowergup for this minor repair.' The spokeswoman said there was minimal disruption to timetabled services, and thanked passengers for their patience. The issue occurred at a heightened time for the WA government and PTA as the quality and reliability of its C-Series trains are thrust into the spotlight.
The Age
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Age
Transport authority to sit down with train drivers over C-Series concerns
The Public Transport Authority will host a workshop with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, train drivers and C-Series train manufacturer Alstom in the coming weeks, after more than 300 drivers expressed serious concerns about the comfort and braking ability of the locally made trains. A union survey of train drivers found 93.7 per cent thought the trains were not fit for traffic when they started taking passengers, while 82.8 per cent reported 'braking inconsistencies' like 'reduction in braking effort, loss of braking effort, surging'. More than 97.7 per cent also reported inadequate air-conditioning in the cabins and 82.5 per cent said the problems affected their mental wellbeing. More than 79 per cent want the government to suspend railcar delivery until the issues were addressed. The opposition pounced on the survey, saying it raised questions about the safety of the trains given the concerns around braking. A PTA spokeswoman told WAtoday there were no braking issues on the C-Series train. 'The new railcars have excellent acceleration and braking features and are an improvement on the A and B-series railcar fleet,' she said. 'We expected there would be a period of adjustment when drivers began using the new trains and their enhanced features, and the PTA is committed to working with its drivers to take on board their feedback. 'Solutions have already been developed in response to other 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 scheduled to commence shortly.
Sydney Morning Herald
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
Transport authority to sit down with train drivers over C-Series concerns
The Public Transport Authority will host a workshop with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, train drivers and C-Series train manufacturer Alstom in the coming weeks, after more than 300 drivers expressed serious concerns about the comfort and braking ability of the locally made trains. A union survey of train drivers found 93.7 per cent thought the trains were not fit for traffic when they started taking passengers, while 82.8 per cent reported 'braking inconsistencies' like 'reduction in braking effort, loss of braking effort, surging'. More than 97.7 per cent also reported inadequate air-conditioning in the cabins and 82.5 per cent said the problems affected their mental wellbeing. More than 79 per cent want the government to suspend railcar delivery until the issues were addressed. The opposition pounced on the survey, saying it raised questions about the safety of the trains given the concerns around braking. A PTA spokeswoman told WAtoday there were no braking issues on the C-Series train. 'The new railcars have excellent acceleration and braking features and are an improvement on the A and B-series railcar fleet,' she said. 'We expected there would be a period of adjustment when drivers began using the new trains and their enhanced features, and the PTA is committed to working with its drivers to take on board their feedback. 'Solutions have already been developed in response to other 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 scheduled to commence shortly.
West Australian
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
Train drivers slam Labor's C-series rail cars for continuing to run despite key issues
Train drivers have slammed Labor's locally made C-series railcars, with almost 80 per cent believing the trains should be removed from service until key issues — including brakes and speed control — are addressed. In a survey of more than 300 drivers by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union at the start of this month leaked to The West Australian, operators of the new trains found there were a litany of issues, including automatic speed functions and problems with the brakes. Drivers also complained about issues within their cabs, including inadequate air-conditioning, excessive noise and problems with the radio systems connecting them to other operators, controllers and passengers. Of those surveyed, 94 per cent believed the C-Series was not fit for service when it rolled out onto the tracks last year, with more than four in five reporting problems braking — including a reduction or loss in braking effort. As part of a 2017 election commitment, Labor returned railcar manufacturing to WA, with 246 of new generation of railcars — dubbed the C-series — to rollout over the life of the Government's contract with Alstom as part of a $1.6 billion project. Drivers had been left feeling unsafe, with increased stress and shattered mental health as half reported headaches and discomfort after long stints in the cabs. All bar one of the drivers surveyed said they would consider taking further industrial action if the problems were not addressed, raising rushed training to use the 'disastrous' new railcars. 'I want the government and PTA to admit they got it wrong and apologise to the Western Australian public through the media,' one driver wrote. 'The contract needs to be cancelled and our fellow countrymen in Queensland can make us some quality B-series trains and we can put this sad episode behind us,' another commented. 'It does not matter how much lipstick and pearls you put on a swine. It's still a swine.' Others said the trains were causing morale issues within driver ranks, with some abused by passengers over discomfort and railcar layout. 'Quite a few experienced drivers have brought their retirement forward because of the C series. I'm am seriously considering early retirement,' another driver wrote. 'How is it possible for a new model to be less comfortable, less driver friendly, less reliable and harder to drive and stop than the model it superseded,' one driver comments. Since the roll out last April, the C-series trains have been mired in technical issues, including doors not opening or closing at stations, often leading to the temporary shut down of lines as railcars remain stuck. 'The RTBU is currently in the process of working with the Government and the PTA to resolve the concerns of our members,' Union secretary Josh Dekuyer said. Shadow transport minister Steve Martin said survey results revealed serious issues with the Government's C-series trains, and said it was clear they were rushed. A State Government spokesman said driver and passenger feedback was 'critical to ensuring the new C-series trains meet the needs of our workers and the community' . '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,' he said. '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 driver 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 enhancement that will improve passenger comfort, such as changes to seating layout.'
