Melbourne’s entire train network was brought to a halt after a false fire alarm triggered the evacuation of Metro Trains’ central control centre, causing delays of up to 40 minutes to morning commuters.
Passengers reported trains at a standstill across the city at 8.28am after the network’s Collins St nerve centre “was evacuated due to a building alarm”, according to Metro Trains’ official Twitter feed.
Train control centre was evacuated due to an building alarm but staff are now returning. Major delays while we recover from this disruption.
— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) June 17, 2015
Around 15 minutes later the all-clear was given, and staff began to return. Trains have started moving again but Metro said residual delays could last up to 40 minutes.
“Train services are resuming and delays will be experienced across all lines as we recover,” Metro said.
The Greens transport spokesperson Samantha Dunn say the heads of Metro and Public Transport Victoria needed to appear before a parliamentary inquiry to explain the disruption.
“The entire system cannot just grind to a halt because a fire alarm goes off in the control building,” Dunn said.
“Somebody has to take responsibility for this failure and explain how it will be avoided in the future.”
