Overcrowded trains a health concern now more than ever

A recent NSW Auditor General’s report has revealed that the overcrowding on Sydney’s trains is even more concerning now as COVID-19 restrictions are eased and people return to their daily commutes. There may be up to a million commuters packed in trains as social isolation restrictions are lifted.

The report examines the effects of overcrowded trains on passengers, saying that “crowds can inhibit movement, cause discomfort and can lead to increased health and safety risks”. It also says that “unmanaged crowds can affect service operation as trains spend longer at platforms waiting for customers to alight and board services which can cause service delays”. 

Although Sydney Trains acknowledges the risk, they haven’t put any strategies in place to keep social distancing measures in place in this critical time. 

“We can’t wait to see what happens, we need to prevent the spread on public transport and not be lulled into a false sense of security. It’s a serious risk to passengers and train staff,” said RTBU NSW Loco Division Secretary Bob Hayden.

Click here to see the full report.