Melbourne’s private rail operator, Metro Trains, is reportedly set to launch an investigation into the computer problems that took down much of its network in the afternoon on Thursday, 13 July.
Trouble struck at around 4PM - with many services halted and information screens across the network left devoid of timetable information - and continued well into the peak hour commuter rush.
ALL trains across the network are currently stopped due to a computer failure. Pls seek alternative transport and listen for announcements..
— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) July 13, 2017
The computer glitch was fixed about an hour and a half after the entire network went down, according to the ABC, which also reported that Metro Trains spokesperson, Marcus Williams, said that there would be a “full investigation” into the cause of the systems failure.
Technicians are currently working to rectify the problem and we are working to have services moving soon. Please listen for announcements.
— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) July 13, 2017
Within an hour of the computer systems first going down, the company took crowd control measures in major train stations such as Southern Cross and other City Loop stations.
BY 5PM, Metro Trains had taken to social media to reassure commuters that services had resumed across the network, with the company later saying that the major delays were “reducing across the metropolitan network”.
Services have resumed across the network. Please allow extra travel time as we restore the timetable or defer travel where possible.
— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) July 13, 2017
As of 8PM on Thursday evening, however, all but one line within the network were still experiencing major delays, according to the company’s website.
It is unclear at this stage whether the IT problems were caused by internally-managed systems or externally-supplied infrastructure issues.
