Adelaide Metro rail services resume after cancellations and delays caused by vandal attack

Chaos and confusion reigned this morning with thousands of commuters delayed by more than an hour after a vandal attack on the signalling system. Services are gradually resuming.

Trains at Seaford station. Picture: File

Train services across Adelaide have gradually resumed after major technical issues caused Friday morning chaos and confusion for commuters, with many facing delays of more than an hour.

Services on the Gawler, Seaford and Outer Harbor Lines were affected, with commuters urged to make alternative arrangements. Services have now resumed but commuters are warned of residual delays

Due to a technical issue, there are multiple cancellations and delays on the Gawler, Seaford and Outer Harbour lines. Please make alternative arrangements if possible. We apologise for the inconvenience.

— Adelaide Metro (@AdelaideMetroSA) July 20, 2023

Commuters were first told about the technical glitches about 7am, with Adelaide Metro saying the issue was caused by a vandal attack on the signalling system.

It is believed the system’s copper piping was targeted by thieves as copper prices hit a new high and thefts of precious metals surge.

A Department of Infrastructure and Transport spokeswoman told customers “technicians were working to rectify the problem as soon as possible” but did not indicate when services would return to normal.

“Commuters should expect delays until the issued has been resolved,” she said.

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Vincent Tarzia said he was “disappointed” by the “senseless vandalism that has caused chaos for thousands of commuters”.

“If this is the case, I hope the vandals are caught quickly and authorities throw the book at them,” Minster Tarzia said.

“South Australia expects a reliable train service and they’ve been let down by these selfish actions.

“The Department needs to investigate how this has happened and if there is anything which can be done to possible prevent this happening in the future.”

Several commuters using Gawler, Seaford and Outer Harbor expressed their dismay after experiencing significant delays on Friday morning.

Commuter Harpreet, 39, from Para Hills West said she had to seek information for alternative transport on the business, after waiting for her train service for 10 minutes.

“It’s actually very bad, I never travel (on) the bus ... I’m going to the information centre,” Harpreet said.

Commuters affected by train delays. Picture: File

Savon, 22, from the northern suburbs, was heading to work and waited more than an hour for a train on the Gawler line to the city, and dubbed the “huge disruption” as “disappoint(ing).”

“The train I was supposed to catch was delayed, I think 67 minutes,” Savon said.

“I was supposed to be here much earlier in the day, however, I had to catch an overcrowded bus, which unfortunately I think exacerbates the terrible decline of our privatised public transport system.

“This is something we’ve come to expect. All the time the trains are constantly delay(ed), there is always service interruptions and frankly, I’m disappointed.”

Commuter Harneet Kaur, 29, also used the Gawler line from Mawson Lakes and said her regular 20-minute train ride was “delayed for more than one hour.”

“First they stopped on Dry Creek after Mawson Lakes, then the servicemen said (there was another) train that was coming back to Mawson Lakes,” Ms Kaur said.

“Then we came back to Mawson Lakes after one hour, and then they said that maybe at 9.50am, they said the train was in service, so we came here.

“I’m was going for my classes, so I’m like two hours late.”

Adelaide railway station commuters. Picture: File

Another commuter Charlotte, 23 from Mount Torrens, was commuting from Flinders University to Smithfield for work, and had attempted to used the Gawler line service.

“There was a bit of confusion because they were saying that the trains were running, and then we went to the platform and they said it wasn’t running and to go talk to the barrier staff,” Charlotte said.

“Then we went back and they said there was no trains at all, because someone stole a copper wiring.

“Normally on the train, it’s like 30 minutes but I’ll have to try and find a substitute bus, which will be like an hour.”

SA Police said they would be investigating “property damage at the North Adelaide Railway station.”

Police allege sometime between 12.50am and 6am on Friday, thieves attempted to steal copper by cutting cabling at the station.

This results in damage that subsequently caused a major fault across several metro train lines.

Police are urging anyone who saw any suspicious activity in that area or has any other information to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Earlier on Friday, two cars were involved in a crash at Mount Jagged, affecting commuter traffic.

Just before 6.15am, emergency services were called to Victor Harbour Rd after reports of two cars crashing into a tree that had fallen on to the road.

Emergency services, including police, went to the scene but there were no reports of serious injuries.

Northbound traffic was been affected, with motorists urged to avoid the area if possible between Mosquito Hill and Isaacson Rd. The crash site has since been cleared.