RAIL CROWDS KEY TO PLAN

• Ashley Gardiner transport reporter From: Herald Sun August 28, 2010 12:00AM

A secret plan to clamp down on delayed trains by encouraging better commuter behaviour is being developed by Metro and the State Government. Source: Herald Sun

A SECRET plan to clamp down on delayed trains by encouraging better commuter behaviour is being developed by Metro and the State Government.

But fears passengers could take offence at being blamed, and concerns of a political backlash, have delayed the campaign.

Metro is on track this month to meet its punctuality target for the first time, with 87.9 per cent of trains running to schedule over the past four weeks. The required minimum is 88 per cent.

Metro wants commuters to keep to the left, and wait for others to get off trains before they get on. They'll also be encouraged to be more safety-conscious when travelling.

Metro chief executive Andrew Lezala told the Herald Sun the matter was being discussed.

"We want passengers to be able to get in and out of trains safely," he said. "We want to educate people around escalators particularly, and we are in discussions with government.

"We don't want it to be a backlash on us or them (the Government). We are certainly not blaming passengers, but we do want them to be safe. The sensitivity is, how do you present it in a way where it doesn't look like you're trying to blame customers?"

Mr Lezala said he was aware of the issue's political importance in the lead-up to the November election.

"I think there's a lot of focus on the railway network as a part of all the politics of Melbourne at the moment," he said.

"It's going to be front and centre in the electioneering, I guess."

Mr Lezala said Metro was tackling delays with its new timetable and increased station staff. More timetable changes were expected.

A spokesman for Metro said good travelling behaviour kept the railway moving.

"Assisting people move on and off trains quickly, but safely, helps us provide a more reliable service," Chris Whitefield said.

"The types of behaviour we do want to see among passengers are to always keep to the left, to make way for people exiting, to move down the aisle, and to not force train doors open when trains are ready to depart."

But Metro will not be encouraging commuters to keep headphones off while waiting for trains.

"We would hope people are still keeping an eye on the station information displays and listening out for announcements being made by our staff to inform of any changes to their service," Mr Whitefield said.

"Complacency and lack of awareness by passengers are some of the biggest safety issues we face as a train operator."

A spokesman for Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said the Government was focused on helping Metro run more reliable services.

"The Government has encouraged Metro to deliver the best possible service and focus on its efforts on keeping passengers up to date with any potential disruptions," Bill Kyriakopoulos said.