Article: Braking problem blamed for train delays

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From the Melbourne Age click here!

Braking problem blamed for train delays

Braking problem blamed for train delays
Jason Dowling
June 8, 2009

THE failure of one in 10 Melbourne trains to run on time is being blamed on a train braking problem detected six years ago.

No one can say why braking issues with the $500 million Siemens trains ? detected in 2003 ? have persisted so long, or when they will be fixed.

Public Transport Safety Victoria has confirmed that "braking issues were first identified in the Siemens trains when they were tested in 2003".

It was found that in wet weather, the trains experienced incidents of "sliding", said Alan Osborne of PTSV. The problems dogged the new trains in 2003, 2007 and this year.

Despite the delays caused by the braking, recent figures show patronage on public transport is booming in Melbourne.

Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky says there has been a "cultural shift" in Melbourne towards public transport.

There were almost 60 million more trips in the year to March than in the previous year on Melbourne's public transport.

Growth has increased to 13.2 per cent a year, with patronage growth on trains running at about 10 per cent a year for the past four years.

But train punctuality has been poor this year, with Connex failing to meet its punctuality targets for the past five months.

Connex has blamed the poor performance on the Siemens braking issue.

"It is a frustration to us that we are not meeting our performance expectations and it (the braking problem) has been going on for this long," said Connex spokesman John Rees.

There have been six incidents this year where Siemens trains have "overshot the platform", leading to new speed restrictions at 300 locations on the metropolitan network.

While some restrictions are being lifted, restrictions will remain at 62 locations, where a level crossing is close to the platform, in the direction the train is travelling.

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said it was "incredible that six years after the problem was first found it still has not been fixed". He said trains could be in service for 30 years so the problem had to be fixed.

Ms Kosky said the braking issues meant some trains were arriving late. "It does effect the timetable," she said. "We need to find a resolution."

Paul Bennett from Siemens said "all trains experience overshoots".

He said reasons may include track adhesion, the "human-machine interface", train speed and weather conditions.

"It is not solely a train technology matter, but rather a whole-system matter, and we have insight into only one part ? the train. Our trains operate (at) a high performance all around the world," he said.

Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said the six-year braking problem had to be fixed.

"This farce needs the immediate attention of Minister for Public Transport Lynne Kosky to ensure that passengers are safe and the Siemens trains can operate at their normal speed," he said.