We are extremely concerned by the allegation made by a train driver that passengers lives are being put at risk by operating our trains on the Melbourne network. Our own Siemens experts maintain these trains, and if we at any time considered them to be unsafe, we would immediately inform the Operator and recommend the trains be withdrawn from service - we have not done so.
Our engineers and those of the Operator, their consultants, and the Department of Transport who have been involved in the investigation of the recent platform overshoots have not identified train brake equipment malfunction. Trains that have been tested by the Operator after being reported to have suffered platform overshoots, have been found to operate normally and since returned to service.
During the past two years there have been intensive discussions and investigations, and many Victorian authorities are now monitoring the performance of our trains, including Public Transport Safety Victoria, the independent Chief Investigator, the Department of Transport and the Operator, Connex. Please be assured that if the overshooting was caused by one single element, such as brake failure, we would expect these authorities to act in accordance with safety regulations and remove the trains from service.
The reasons why trains overshoot may be impacted by many factors including track adhesion, human machine interface, train speed and weather conditions. On 5th March 2009, we understand that a strong recommendation was issued to all drivers, that with the onset of the autumn climatic conditions that may affect the normal braking performance of a train, a maximum approach speed of 30kph be adopted at the start of certain classes of platforms for all stopping trains.
We designed the Melbourne trains to specifications agreed with the then Operator, National Express, and the Department of Infrastructure, and the trains were tested in Melbourne and gained approval to operate from these parties and an Independent Certifying Engineer.
I assure you that at Siemens, we take safety extremely seriously and will continue to cooperate with the Operator and the authorities to monitor the long-term operating performance of the trains.
Paul Bennett
Vice President, Mobility
Siemens Ltd (Australia and New Zealand)