Article: Safety fears over crammed trains

[ozbob]

From Queensland Times click here!

Safety fears over crammed trains

Safety fears over crammed trains
April 04, 2008
By Sue Clohesy

IPSWICH rail commuters are calling for more trains as overcrowded peak-hour services raise fears for passengers' safety.

Rail users claim people are being crammed into carriages, often with standing room only, with reports of hundreds more passengers onboard than capacity and others running from carriage to carriage trying to get on.

Last month on the Ipswich train line into the city, a schoolgirl fainted just before arriving at Roma Street Station, saying to onlookers "it was a bit squishy", passenger Robert Dow said.

A Queensland Rail (QR) spokesman said it regretted the incident and was working hard to improve services to passengers, with safety its main priority.

Rail support group organiser, Mr Dow said, with the exception of the Caboolture line, Ipswich's congestion would be the worst.

"The Ipswich trains are suffering very severe congestion," Mr Dow said.

"The trains are clearly overloaded, and have gradually increased in the past six months because of people getting off the motorway."

Mr Dow said it should be easy to add one extra service from Ipswich leaving between the 5.41am and 6.14am trains, but QR said not before the end of the year.

"Otherwise if there was an all stations train leaving from Darra to pick up all of the inner-city passengers, that would work," Mr Dow said.

"I was on a service this week and I estimated it to have 1200 people on it."

Six-carriage trains leaving from Ipswich can carry up to 750 passengers comfortably but the physical design can cater for up to 1000.

However, the QR spokesman said it aimed not to have more than 750 passengers, and maximums would normally be just above 800.

Rail users can have their say at QR's Meet The Manager event at the Ipswich train station on April 24 from 6-9am.

[ozbob]

Thanks to Queensland Times for highlighting the congestion issues on the Ipswich line.

Please note:

Rail users can have their say at QR's Meet The Manager event at the Ipswich train station on April 24 from 6-9am.

Thanks QR!

[ozbob]

Just heard problems at Auchenflower. Seems a car is close to railway line, trains as far as possible from Ipswich going via Yeerongpilly.



Now confirmed 

Please be advised rail services on the Ipswich line were disrupted this morning due to a vehicle on the tracks at Auchenflower.

QR apologises for any inconvenience caused by this unexpected delay.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!


http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/ffximage/2008/04/04/470auchen-train.jpg

Car blocks trains, keeps commuters waiting
Georgia Waters | April 4, 2008 - 7:52AM

Commuters were delayed for at least 30 minutes this morning after a car crashed through a railway station barrier and stopped next to the train tracks.

The 4WD vehicle broke through the barrier surrounding Auchenflower Rail Station, on Eagle Terrace between Hobbs and Aldridge streets.

All train services were put on hold on the Ipswich line between Roma Street and Corinda and some services were diverted through the Beenleigh line, a Queensland Rail spokeswoman said.

But many commuters were delayed for at least half an hour.

The a car didn't stop on the railway line, but was close enough to prevent trains from passing through, the spokeswoman said.

[ozbob]

Last year, RAIL Back On Track highlighted the danger of the road bridge at Oxley, and the complete lack of protection for the main western railway line from vehicles that might come to grief on the sharp corner coming down Seventeen mile rocks road and crash onto the railway line. 

See Brisbane: Oxley - Road bridge chaos around the corner!

Lets hope history doesn't repeat!