What affects our performance?

We work hard to meet our on-time running goals, however the performance of our trains can be affected by a number of things.

Train problems
Problems like faulty doors can delay trains while the guard makes the affected carriage safe.

If you see a fault, please contact CityRail on 131 500 so it can be addressed immediately.

Signal, track, overhead wiring and points problems
Problems vary from broken rails to tracks affected by adverse weather conditions. We have an extensive track upgrading program and undertake maintenance of the tracks and other infrastructure on a daily basis. Improvements have been made to the track inspection system and this includes track inspection at a time that does not affect the on-time running of our trains.

Vandalism and anti-social behaviour
Problems like debris thrown onto the tracks can be dangerous and cause extensive damage to carriages. It can also cause disruptions to train services. CityRail has implemented a program of service improvements to counteract vandalism. These include transit officers on stations, trains and other railway property and security cameras and high intensity lighting.

Performance is also affected if people jam train doors or vandalise carriages. This can result in the carriage to be closed off, impacting the train's capacity. If police are required to attend and assist manage illegal and/or anti-social behaviour, our performance may also be affected.

CityRail transit officers have powers of arrest and work with the Police on targeted lines specified by CityRail and Police intelligence to minimise anti-social behaviour on our trains.

Overcrowding in the centre carriages
Passengers waiting at stations during bad weather tend to wait under the all-weather canopies, which results in overcrowding in the centre carriages. When such overcrowding occurs it can take longer to board passengers, and trains are delayed. To improve the situation, CityRail began a program in 1998 to construct canopies and allow passengers to spread out along the platform whilst keeping dry.

Passenger illness
If a passenger on a train is in need of emergency medical attention and cannot be moved, then the train must remain at the station until medical assistance arrives. If either the guard or driver should fall ill then a replacement is needed before the train can continue its journey.

Trespasser fatality
Sometimes people trespass inside the rail network and are fatally injured. In these circumstances Police can close the track for up to three hours to investigate the incident.

Station dwell times
Passengers who are slow to board a train or disembark a train can increase the amount of time trains remain at stations and impact on-time running.

Severe weather conditions
During severe storms, fog or extremes in temperature, the speed and operation of trains are limited to ensure safe travel is maintained - in the same way that motorists slow down in rainy weather.