The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) says freight and passenger rail services are progressively returning as a major Telstra outage continues to affect its NTCS (National Train Communications System).
The NTCS is a safety-critical communications system that enables network control centres to communicate directly with train drivers via in-cab radios operating over Telstra’s 4G network.
The telecommunications outage disrupted these communications, preventing ARTC from making or receiving essential safety-critical contact with train crews and frontline workers.
ARTC said rail services are being restored in a controlled and phased manner as Telstra resolves the underlying telecommunications issues and communications performance improves.
Before trains can return to service, ARTC is carrying out comprehensive testing to ensure reliable communications can be established between network control centres and each train.
Passenger services will remain suspended until the network is fully operational.
ARTC said the disruption was caused by the Telstra telecommunications outage, rather than any signalling or rail infrastructure fault.
The organisation is continuing to work with Telstra, governments, customers and rail operators to restore freight and passenger services as quickly and safely as possible.
ARTC said safety remains its highest priority and thanked customers, operators and the travelling public for their patience while services are restored.
Other recent stories:
- Ten Inland Rail sites ready for double stacking
- Station precinct works continue
- Funding boost advances hospital plans
