Sydney Trains: Fears of coronavirus second wave exacerbated by crowds of commuters

A report tendered to parliament has slammed Sydney Trains for having “no specific strategy to manage” packed out stations. With commuters soon set to return to work, experts fear it could lead to a deadly second wave of coronavirus if nothing is done.

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With thousands expected to return to work in the coming month a damning report has highlighted the inability of Sydney Trains to manage large crowds, posing a risk of a ‘second wave’ of coronavirus cases in the city.

The Auditor General’s report into overcrowding on the Sydney Trains network has found the body has “no specific strategy to manage” packed out stations, beyond its policy of restricting access to platforms.

Overcrowding is considered a “high-rated risk” for Sydney Trains but the report, which was tabled in parliament last week, found it is only considered when assessing major upgrades and not for health-based concerns.

Sydney Trains said it was looking at ways to improve the experience for commuters.

The findings add to a growing disquiet in health circles that cases of the potentially deadly virus will spike once restrictions are eased back in NSW.

“Public transport will be a monumental problem,” Sydney University Emeritus Professor Stephen Leeder said.

Prof Leeder has spent decades studying public health and community medicine, is the director of the Research and Education Network and the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Epidemiology.

“But if we’re talking lightening restrictions (and no measures on public transport) the virus will spread again and it would be a tremendous risk,” he added.

“It’s a real concern, it’s a serious worry and I’d be very surprise if (Sydney Trains) did not have a strategy.”

Prof Leeder has spent years researching epidemiology. Picture: University of Sydney

While Sydney Trains has no overarching strategy to deal with overcrowding, it’s general response to restrict access to stations and platforms at the ire of commuters was singled out for criticism in the report.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia would be given “an early mark”, flagging some of the first restrictions to go would target getting workers back into the office, resulting in a surge of commuters on public transport.

Prof Leeder said it would be difficult for government agencies to strike the right balance between firing up the economy and protecting citizens, but scenes of New York’s subway and London’s tube network packed to the rafters provided decision makers with an example of what not to do.

A surge in patronage is expected once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

“Sydney Trains accepts the recommendations of the Auditor-General’s performance audit. We have measures in place to manage crowding, but we are always looking at new ways to improve the experience of our customers,” a Sydney Trains spokesman said.

Sydney Trains said it had 11,000 cameras which assists in assessing crowds.

Its plans for when lockdown measures are lifted centre around public messaging as opposed to physical restrictions on platforms and at stations.

“These include increased visibility through signs and announcements on trains and at stations explaining physical distancing,” the spokesman said.

“Additional measures include a communication campaign targeting school children, managing Opal gates to space customers entering and leaving stations, new guidelines for passenger numbers on lifts, regular customer information announcements and social media messaging, and staff education to help guide customers safely around the network.”

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