Melbourne suffers peak-hour train delays after computer fault

July 13, 2017 Loknath Das Computer 0

Screens at Flinders Street station show all trains lines suspended after a computer fault

Melbourne commuters have experienced frustrating delays during peak hour after Metro Trains’ entire network came to a standstill because of a computer fault.

Elias Clure @TheCluresource

Southern Cross jammed packed as delays cripple @metrotrains network @abcnewsMelb

12:55 PM – 13 Jul 2017

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Metro Trains said the computer problem had been fixed an hour and a half after the entire network went down just after 4:00pm.

But as services slowly resumed, commuters faced major delays as a result of the technical problems.

Metro Trains spokesman Marcus Williams earlier asked commuters to seek alternative transport.

“It will take us some time to get things back [up] and running and running to a timetable,” he said.

“So unfortunately that means we will have major delays throughout the evening.

“But importantly we’ve managed to get trains moving and we’ll be working to get people home safely as quickly as possible.”

People crowd up as they try and get on a packed tram stop outside Flinders Street Station.PHOTO: Frustrated commuters tried to get onto packed trams after Melbourne’s train lines went down. (ABC News: Chris Le Page)

Mr Williams said there would be a full investigation into what caused the computer fault.

Metro Trains said crowd control measures were in place at Southern Cross Station and City Loop stations.

After the train shutdown, Yarra Trams also reported major delays on its lines due to demand.

People on a crowded tram stop outside Flinders Street Station.PHOTO: The suspension of the entire train network has caused major delays on trams in Melbourne. (ABC News: Chris Le Page)

Commuters try to make their way home

Frustrated commuters were getting on packed trains at major stations as Metro Trains tried to deal with the backlog of passengers.

One commuter at Flinders Street Station described the scene as “chaotic”.

He said it was confusing as timetable screens were blank even though lines had resumed.

“The trains are being announced as they arrive,” he said.

Linda Gray, who commutes on the Craigieburn line, described the shutdown and subsequent delays as “an absolute mess”.

“It’s not surprising, the amount of times in the morning that trains get cancelled,” she said.

“But what choice have you got? Take the two hours by road to get here now – that’s no better than the train line.”

One passenger said he was on a train from Broadmeadows to the city when it stopped at Pascoe Vale for an hour.

[Source”timesofindia”]