RailSA

TRANSPORT Minister Pat Conlon has apologised to commuters who were stranded for several hours on a train after it broke down near Hallett Cove last night.

Some passengers jumped off the train after forcing open its doors while others left carriages to go to the toilet in front of other passengers while they waited for three hours to be moved.

Mr Conlon told a media conference this afternoon “we deeply regret the accident last night.”

“The train broke down at the worst possible time, probably the worst possible place which didn’t make it any easier,” he said.

“It was in a place where we couldn’t disembark passengers.

“Crews believed they could fix the (electrical) fault, but it turned out they couldn’t.”

The Minister said he had asked TransAdelaide boss Bob Stobbe to see “whether there’s anything we can do” for those affected.

However, Mr Conlon ruled out monetary compensation, saying those affected should contact TransAdelaide.

Distressed passengers rang The Advertiser after the Noarlunga-bound train stopped between Marino Rocks and Hallett Cove stations at 5.08pm.

Hundreds of people were aboard the train, which left the city during peak hour at 4.38pm.

Passengers said they were initially told by the driver there had been a problem with a “circuit-breaker” which had affected the brakes, but later criticised staff for failing to keep them informed throughout the ordeal.

Some lashed out at Mr Conlon, who told The Advertiser last night he would seek a “full report into the incident from TransAdelaide”.

Passenger Krystal Ballard, of Onkaparinga Hills, said staff “seemed a bit flustered by everything”.

“It (the trip) took four hours, it normally takes 45 to 50 minutes,” she said.

Alex Wirth, 20, jumped from the carriage about 7.20pm after becoming tired of waiting.

“I’ve just jumped off, there’s a mass exodus,” she said.

“It’s pretty dangerous, it’s about a six foot (183cm) drop on to rocks.

“People have been talking about how they’re late for work or picking up children who are now home alone.

“We’ve got people who need the toilet.”

Other passengers described the long wait as a “disgrace” and “not good enough”.

“(Transport Minister) Pat Conlon should resign,” one said.

A technicial crew had the train moving an hour after it broke down, but the crew was only able to move it 100m before the train stopped once more, according to passengers.

TransAdelaide eventually backed up a carriage behind the broken-down train and passengers who hadn’t jumped were transferred via a platform between the trains.

They were taken back to Marino Rocks station where buses were waiting.

All remaining passengers were put on buses by about 8.45pm.

A statement from TransAdelaide said that an electrical fault prevented the brakes being released by the driver.

“Approximately 200 passengers were transferred to waiting buses,” the statement said.

“Unfortunately the train’s location, steep embankments and trains operating on the adjacent line meant passengers could not be safely evacuated.

“The driver did his best to keep passengers informed of developments and at all times the train’s air conditioning and lighting was working.

“Customer service and safety are at all times TransAdelaide’s highest priorities and on this occasion staff acted in the best interests of passengers.”