Latest news with #C-series
West Australian
20-06-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Steve Martin: Government's response to concerns about trains shows Labor's arrogance
Over 300 WA train drivers blew the whistle on the Government with major concerns about the safety and operability of WA Labor's Metronet C-series trains. The arrogant and dismissive response from Transport Minister Rita Saffioti should horrify every Western Australian. A six-railcar C-series train has 400 seats and can carry more than 1000 passengers. So, when the union that represents the people driving those trains releases a survey stating that the majority of drivers support withdrawing the trains until the issues can be resolved, you would expect the State Government to pay attention. The survey is genuinely shocking: 94 per cent of train drivers believe the trains weren't ready for service when they launched; 91 per cent believe the training they received was inadequate; 83 per cent report serious safety issues such as braking, speed and communication issues; 73.8 per cent of drivers said they themselves have felt unsafe while operating a C-series railcar. The 59-page report from the Rail Tram and Bus Union raised a plethora of specific issues. Doors opening or closing when they shouldn't, braking inconsistencies, difficulty communicating using the passenger emergency intercom, auto speed issues causing surging and/or over-speeding. There were also pages of testimony from drivers not holding back with their criticisms. The report also states that drivers felt the introduction of the C-series was 'politically motivated and rushed.' When 75 per cent of train drivers tell you they feel unsafe operating these massive machines, you sit up and pay attention. So, it has been surprising to see the level of willingness of the Cook Labor Government to completely deny and dismiss genuine concerns raised by professional train drivers. Premier Roger Cook, after spending quite a bit of time during the last election campaign riding around on the trains, had this to say: 'We understand that, you know, changing the model of trains always challenges the work force.' Ms Saffioti was even more blunt, responding to questions in Parliament from Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas by saying: '… drivers need to get used to the new trains.' It is difficult to think of a more disdainful response from the State Government to train drivers than to tell them that they, not the machinery they are paid to professionally operate, are the problem. It is the sort of arrogance that is becoming a constant theme from WA Labor in their third term. The drivers have good reason to be cynical of the Minister's priorities. The Bussell Highway duplication was 'opened' in time for Easter this year after years of delay — but the red warning cones, lane closures and speed reductions were swiftly back in place afterwards and roadworks continue to this day. The ultimate disdain of the Minister, who is also the Treasurer, is for WA taxpayers. Metronet has now blown out by over $12.5 billion. That's not her money, that is yours. Western Australians deserve better than a Transport Minister and Treasurer who is it in for herself and not for you. Steve Martin is Shadow Transport Minister
West Australian
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
Train drivers slam Labor's C-series rail cars for continuing to run despite key issues
Train drivers have slammed Labor's locally made C-series railcars, with almost 80 per cent believing the trains should be removed from service until key issues — including brakes and speed control — are addressed. In a survey of more than 300 drivers by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union at the start of this month leaked to The West Australian, operators of the new trains found there were a litany of issues, including automatic speed functions and problems with the brakes. Drivers also complained about issues within their cabs, including inadequate air-conditioning, excessive noise and problems with the radio systems connecting them to other operators, controllers and passengers. Of those surveyed, 94 per cent believed the C-Series was not fit for service when it rolled out onto the tracks last year, with more than four in five reporting problems braking — including a reduction or loss in braking effort. As part of a 2017 election commitment, Labor returned railcar manufacturing to WA, with 246 of new generation of railcars — dubbed the C-series — to rollout over the life of the Government's contract with Alstom as part of a $1.6 billion project. Drivers had been left feeling unsafe, with increased stress and shattered mental health as half reported headaches and discomfort after long stints in the cabs. All bar one of the drivers surveyed said they would consider taking further industrial action if the problems were not addressed, raising rushed training to use the 'disastrous' new railcars. 'I want the government and PTA to admit they got it wrong and apologise to the Western Australian public through the media,' one driver wrote. 'The contract needs to be cancelled and our fellow countrymen in Queensland can make us some quality B-series trains and we can put this sad episode behind us,' another commented. 'It does not matter how much lipstick and pearls you put on a swine. It's still a swine.' Others said the trains were causing morale issues within driver ranks, with some abused by passengers over discomfort and railcar layout. 'Quite a few experienced drivers have brought their retirement forward because of the C series. I'm am seriously considering early retirement,' another driver wrote. 'How is it possible for a new model to be less comfortable, less driver friendly, less reliable and harder to drive and stop than the model it superseded,' one driver comments. Since the roll out last April, the C-series trains have been mired in technical issues, including doors not opening or closing at stations, often leading to the temporary shut down of lines as railcars remain stuck. 'The RTBU is currently in the process of working with the Government and the PTA to resolve the concerns of our members,' Union secretary Josh Dekuyer said. Shadow transport minister Steve Martin said survey results revealed serious issues with the Government's C-series trains, and said it was clear they were rushed. A State Government spokesman said driver and passenger feedback was 'critical to ensuring the new C-series trains meet the needs of our workers and the community' . 'Solutions have already been developed in response to some feedback from drivers. For example, a software update is being rolled out for the air-conditioning system, and a trial of new driver seats is set to commence shortly,' he said. 'Some things, like ergonomic matters, only emerge following a new fleet's entry to service, so we are appreciative of drivers' patience as these issues are identified and fixed. 'A workshop with the RTBU, drivers, the PTA, and Alstom will be held in the coming weeks to work through the driver feedback and develop a work schedule to upgrade the driver cabins on existing C-series trains and incorporate any design changes into all new trains coming off the assembly line. 'The PTA is also working towards a range of other enhancement that will improve passenger comfort, such as changes to seating layout.'
CBS News
11-03-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Airbus investigating corrosion issues on some of its A220 passenger jets
Airbus is investigating corrosion issues on some of its A220 passenger jets. The issue has been found on what the manufacturer calls a "limited population" of A220s, including some operated by U.S. airlines. The manufacturer and two airlines said the issue does not constitute an immediate safety issue. "Regular maintenance checks are scheduled to ensure it is captured early and the right corrective actions are put in place in a timely manner to mitigate the situation," an Airbus spokeswoman told CBS News in a statement. "The A220 fleet's airworthiness remains intact." Sources familiar with the problem said the corrosion has been found on some passenger seat fittings and certain wing components, including what's known as the wing-to-body fairing, which is designed to minimize drag where the wing and body of the plane meet. It essentially acts as an aerodynamic cover over that junction and is not structural in nature. "The FAA is aware of the issue and is ensuring airlines address it," an agency spokesman confirmed to CBS News in a brief statement. Delta Air Lines, the world's largest A220 operator, told CBS News it has observed the issue with some passenger seat fittings that require additional inspection and lubrication. The Atlanta-based carrier said the issue is not impacting scheduled A220 flights and has not resulted in cancellations. "Delta has a sophisticated aircraft maintenance apparatus that is always-on and has many layers to ensure that every aircraft in our fleet is safe to fly by meeting or exceeding standards governed by our regulators," a company spokesman told CBS News. "There is broad consensus by our technical experts that these issues aren't surprising especially for a new, clean-sheet aircraft and pose no major concerns." The airline said while it is aware some A220 carriers may be finding corrosion in the wing-to-body fairing structure, so far Delta mechanics have not found it on their fleet. JetBlue and Breeze Airways also fly dozens of A220s along with a host of international carriers, including Air Canada, Air France and Swiss Air. "We are aware that some areas of the A220 have experienced corrosion and are proactively taking measures to mitigate these concerns," a Breeze spokesman told CBS News. "The safety of our Guests is our first priority, which is why Breeze performs regular maintenance inspections on all of its aircraft to ensure airworthiness." CBS News has made repeated requests for comment from JetBlue. The A220 was subject to a 2021 airworthiness directive to address corrosion and wear in wing components known as slat tracks that were likely caused by insufficient grease being applied to the component during production. The directive called for additional inspections to monitor the amount of grease applied to the slat tracks. Sources told CBS News the new issues go beyond the focus of that 2021 order from Transport Canada. The plane was originally developed by Bombardier as the C-series before being sold to Airbus due to financial headwinds facing Bombardier. The plane is built in Quebec and Mobile, Alabama. The A220 seats between 100 and 150 passengers with five-seat rows. It's seen as a replacement for larger regional jets like the Embraer 190 and aging Boeing 717 jets. Because the plane was developed in Canada, it was initially certified by regulators there. The FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency validated the certification but would not typically be the lead agency on an issue like this.
