Passenger Complains About Cancelled Train & Gets Punched

[Bus 400]

Train driver, passenger 'brawl over delays' at Flinders Street Station
April 08, 2009 06:52pm
A PASSENGER has suffered serious head injuries and a train driver has been stood down following a fight over a cancelled train.
The incident at Flinders Street station yesterday came as tenders closed for the contract to run Melbourne's train services for the next eight years.
It is believed the passenger was left with a broken nose and a fractured jaw after approaching the driver aggressively to complain about the train company's service.
Connex spokesman John Rees said the incident happened on platform five at Flinders Street when the 3.33pm (AEST) Werribee train was cancelled.
"We pulled the service because someone had vomited in one of the carriages and it needed to be cleaned. It stemmed from that," he said.
In a statement, Connex managing director Alan Chaplin said the company had removed the driver from duty.
"Police were called when the situation escalated. The driver and another man have given statements to police.," he said.
"There will be a full investigation by us and the police. Connex will cooperate fully with the police investigation including handing over CCTV of the incident.
"We will await the results of our investigation before deciding what further action should be taken, but I can assure our customers incidents like this are extremely rare."
Mobile phone footage of the incident was aired on Channel 7's Melbourne news tonight.
French-owned Connex, French rival Keolis and Hong Kong's MTR are the three confirmed bidders to run Melbourne's privatised train services for eight years, with an option of a further seven years, from December 1 this year. Tenders closed yesterday.

The Herald Sun has a more in depth story.

Police investigate Flinders St bashing video
Geraldine Mitchell
April 08, 2009 06:57pm
A SHOCKING video of a commuter being allegedly bashed by a train driver at Flinders St Station is being investigated by police.
The footage was taken on a mobile phone by 13-year-old Mitchell Smith as horrified passengers looked on.
The man allegedly attempted to board a Craigieburn train about 3.30pm on Tuesday before getting into an argument with the driver.
Do you know the passenger? Contact our news desk on (03) 9292 1226
The driver then allegedly left his cabin and followed the passenger to the platform where he repeatedly punched the man violently on the ground.
"He was just continuously hitting him,'' he said.
His mother, Maree, was also horrified.
"I couldn't believe the arm action of the man continuously just belting him,'' she said.
Connex has stood down the driver while the incident is investigated and has handed over CCTV footage to Victoria Police.
Connex managing director Alan Chaplin said the serious nature of the matter led to the decision to immediately suspend the driver from duty.
"There will be a full investigation by us and the police,'' he said.
"We will await the results of our investigation before deciding what further action should be taken, but I can assure our customers incidents like this are extremely rare.''
Mr Chaplin said Connex would also consider other measures it could introduce to reduce the chance of any such incident happening again.
A spokesman for Acting Public Transport Minister Tim Pallas did not comment on the incident only confirming that a thorough investigation was underway.

The footage can be found at http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25309849-661,00.html