Passengers left stuck on tracks after carriage decouples from front of Metro train in Croydon

Peak-hour passengers were left stranded on a Metro train last week after three carriages separated from a Lilydale service, all while it was moving.

Peak-hour passengers were stuck on a Metro service last week when a set of carriages dislodged from the rest of the train and ground to a halt.

Regulators are now investigating the safety breach after the last three carriages of a X’Trapolis train dislodged from the front about 5pm Friday.

MELBOURNE’S MEGA RAIL PLAN

SARDINE SERVICES SOARING IN MELBOURNE

REFUND CALL AFTER TRAIN POWER FAIL

The carriages came apart between Croydon and Mooroolbark on the Lilydale line, with the driver continuing the service for another 300m before stopping using emergency brakes.

In-built brakes also safely stopped the back half of the train but passengers were left stuck inside powerless carriages until the Metropolitan Fire Brigade escorted them from the tracks.

There were about 150 passengers on the service and no one was injured during or after the decoupling.

Regulators will now investigate what caused the carriages to break apart. Picture: File/Eugene Hyland

Buses ferried passengers between Ringwood and Lilydale while investigators inspected the scene until 9.30pm.

Earlier that day, a computer system had warned the driver of a decoupling on the train when electrical connection between the carriages was briefly lost.

But support staff told the driver to continue the service after they conducted safety checks and determined the carriages were still attached.

Metro Trains acting chief executive Neal Lawson said the operator’s employees had followed safety procedures correctly.

“We apologise to Lilydale line passengers who were delayed on Friday — we know this was frustrating for people trying to get home at the end of the week,” he said.

“I am personally ensuring we fully understand every aspect of this incident and a comprehensive investigation is ongoing.

“Safeguards exist on our network and our back-up systems worked as they should to ensure the safety of our passengers was not compromised.

“Immediately following this incident we inspected our entire fleet as a precaution and found no issue with any other train.”

The train has been removed from service and Metro will now require two drivers to couple trains until the cause of the breach has been discovered.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator will investigate the incident.

A spokesman said: “ONRSR is continuing its inquiries into the incident at Croydon Station last week and at this early stage will continue to gather and assess evidence to determine what regulatory response is appropriate.”

Hi all anyone feeling concerned on Lilydale train stuck just before croydon come and see me or Kathleen in carriage near firetruck 🚒 @metrotrains near lady in red dress

— Administrative Process Failure (@jennylmackinnon) November 9, 2018