Drivers Fuming as Boom Gates Stay Down After Trains Pass
Boom gate disruptions along the Armadale train line continue to frustrate commuters following the line’s reopening after an 18-month closure. Although six level crossings were removed between Victoria Park and Beckenham stations, no crossings were eliminated between Kenwick and Sherwood stations, leaving eight still active along that stretch.
On this section, boom gates are down for nearly two minutes per train on average, totaling around three hours of daily closure. However, many drivers are most irritated by reports of boom gates remaining down long after trains have passed.
Incidents Affecting Boom Gate Operation
The Public Transport Authority (PTA) confirmed to PerthNow that two significant incidents occurred in the first two weeks since reopening that caused prolonged closure of boom gates.
“On October 16, a truck hit a boom gate on the Austin Avenue level crossing, which caused it to stay in the down position. PTA technicians were quickly onsite and repaired the affected boom gate within an hour,” a PTA spokesperson said.
“There has been one other fault, due to an external power outage, which affected two boom gates since the Armadale line reopened. Both sets of boom gates manoeuvred into the down position.”
The PTA explained that the boom gate remaining down is the intended fail-safe reaction in such situations.
Summary
Persistent boom gate closures on the Armadale line, especially after trains have passed, are fueling commuter frustration despite safety measures and prompt repairs by the Public Transport Authority.