Transperth train failure causes Perth peak hour chaos at Esplanade Station

Commuters across Perth are experiencing significant delays this afternoon after a train failed during peak hour at one of the city’s key transport hubs.

The train was travelling northbound on the Mandurah line when it stopped just metres from the platform at Esplanade Station just after 5pm, with Transperth baffled by the cause of the breakdown.

A Transperth spokesman said a secondary train was used to push the stuck train forward and would be used to transport it off the main tracks for further investigation.

For safety reasons, passengers were cleared from all carriages of both trains and forced to walk some 50 metres along the tunnel to the station.

Despite the breakdown being cleared by 5.45pm, it sent a wave of delays across the network.

A Transperth spokesman said recent extreme weather conditions could have played a role in the breakdown as electrical issues were experienced throughout the carriages, including the main passenger doors not opening.

It’s understood carriage lights were shut off, with those on-board experiencing a blackout until they could depart through the driver’s door.