Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is commencing a controlled and phased return to rail operations after its National Train Communications System (NTCS) was disrupted by the Telstra outage.
The NTCS is a safety-critical system used across Australia's interstate and regional rail network. It enables network control centres to communicate directly with train drivers through an in-cab radio system and operates over Telstra's 4G network.
The nationwide Telstra outage disrupted the NTCS, preventing ARTC from making or receiving essential communications with train crews and frontline workers, posing a safety risk.
Telstra and ARTC is working around the clock to undertake comprehensive testing and verification of the NTCS.
Testing of a limited number of train communications units has produced positive results. ARTC will begin progressively moving tested services where communications have been confirmed and all required operational checks have been completed.
Given the size and complexity of the national rail network, recovery will take time and services will resume in a controlled and phased manner.
Passenger services will remain paused until the network is fully operational.
The disruption was not the result a signalling or rail infrastructure issue. It was a Telstra telecommunications outage affecting the safety-critical communications required to safely operate Australia's national rail network.
ARTC is working closely with Telstra, governments, customers and rail operators to safely restore freight and passenger services as quickly as possible.
We thank our customers, train operators and the travelling public for their patience and understanding throughout this incident.
Safety remains our highest priority.
