Fatigued train drivers are being forced to work 12 days in a row, navigate an ageing rail network and endure cockroaches in the driverâs cab, an Adelaide Metro whistleblower says.
The Adelaide Metro worker, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said burnt-out train drivers were working 12 days consecutively, adding to safety risks posed by aged infrastructure and unfixed carriage issues.
He also claims delays recently faced by Belair line commuters followed a major safety breach as fatigued train drivers navigate a rail network in chaos,
âSince the railway has gone back to government, unfortunately it has gone backwards,â he said. âThe rail network is in such a bad state, itâs only a matter of time before an incident causing injury or death will occur.â
The worker said the public was not told the reason for delays on the Belair train line throughout August, which followed an unexplained âoperational incidentâ closing the line on the morning of July 30.
âThe truth is a major safety breach occurred, which resulted in major infrastructure damage,â he said.
âThe infrastructure is so old and obsolete that parts arenât available â hence the continuing issues on the Belair line. Often, parts are cannibalised from other parts of the network, as there are no replacements.â
Some of the delays, including on August 10 and 11, were blamed by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport on heavy rainfall flooding an Adelaide Hills rail tunnel.
An Adelaide Metro spokeswoman and Transport Minister Joe Szakacs both said they strongly rejected âthese anonymous claimsâ.
The spokeswoman maintained the delays were caused by wet weather â but would not provide details of the July 30 incident.
âSome rail infrastructure components are specialised and unique to the network. Where replacement parts are required, they may need to be manufactured or sourced through specialist suppliers,â she said.
The whistleblower said safety breaches and incidents were increasing as train drivers battled fatigue, while cockroaches in the driverâs cab were ânot uncommonâ.
He said drivers often worked two to three days overtime a fortnight to cover crew shortages â and when they asked for time off because of fatigue, they were told it was not possible because of âoperational requirementsâ.
âYou are forced into using personal sick leave. A lot of train crew have exhausted their balance due to fatigue,â the worker said.
âMorale is at an all-time low. Sick leave is at an all-time high.â
He said train faults, reported by staff, were not rectified for weeks and months â including isolated doors, broken glass and lights not working.
The spokeswoman for Adelaide Metro said it took fatigue management seriously, had systems to manage driver safety, and any overtime work was voluntary.
âSince the rail network returned to government operation, the number of train drivers has increased from 187 to 210,â she said.
âWhere maintenance issues are identified, they are assessed and prioritised based on safety, service impact, and technical requirements.â
Mr Szakacs said the government had delivered on a 2022 election promise to âscrap the Liberalsâ disastrous privatisation of our rail networkâ.
âWe are always looking for ways in which our service can be improved,â he said.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/whistleblower-lifts-lid-on-belair-line-delays-adelaide-metro-issues-as-government-denies-claims/news-story/522576ad7faea3b742b94eda8710d7a2
