Major delays expected to continue on Thursday evening after computer glitch leaves commuters stranded inside stalled trains and crowded on platforms

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Melbourne has suffered through peak hour commuter chaos after a computer glitch shut down the entire train network, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

The fault brought every line to a grinding halt at about 4pm on Thursday, leaving people stuck on trains between stations - some even trapped underground in the City Loop for two hours.

Metro tweeted a warning for people not to force the doors and make a getaway from the stranded trains, and were advising people at stations to “seek alternative transport where possible”.

Services resumed shortly after 5.30pm, but by that time, platforms were clogged with angry commuters – some demanding compensation for the delay.

Pictures on social media showed people crammed into train carriages in the desperate push to get home once services resumed.

Metro Trains tweeted: “crowd control measures are in place at Sthn Cross and City Loop stations. Pls allow extra time to enter & follow directions from staff.”

There are still delays across the network, which are likely to persist for most of the night.

VicRoads also issued a warning that boom gates may be down for long periods due to the sudden influx in trains.

The peak hour debacle also affected Melbourne’s tram networks, with Yarra Trams saying “high demand” was contributing to major delays.

Commuters took the opportunity to vent on social media or poke fun at Metro, the train network operator, over the situation.

Fake Metro Trains (@fakemetrotrains) Update: Services are now running. In other capital cities, that is. Not Melbourne. #MetroTrains

Tyrone Peiris (@TyronePeiris) Leaked footage of #MetroTrains attempting to get their system back online. pic.twitter.com/kWspagMrLz

Jules Jamison (@JulesJamison) You had one job @metrotrains #MetroTrains pic.twitter.com/vR67V2gmQz

Metro said the computer glitch had been fixed, apologised and promised a full investigation into what caused it.

It is believed the TCMS, the network’s automated control centre, was behind the failure with controllers left staring at blank screens when it went offline. The trains were required to halt for safety reasons as controllers had no way of knowing where they were.