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Sent: Friday, 22 May 2020, 05:15:10 pm AESTSubject: Fri.27.3.20 daily digest
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27.3.20 Metro TwitterBuses replace trains on sections of the Frankston line until 21.00 (level-crossing works at Cheltenham and Mentone).Buses replace trains Frankston - Stony Point until the (level-crossing works elsewhere).Sandringham line: Trains will run to an altered weekday timetable (works on the Frankston line).9.40 Mernda line: Delays up to 20 minutes after an overhead power-supply issue between Thomastown & Keon Park.15.37 Lilydale/Belgrave/Alamein lines: Minor delays (a track fault near Burnley). Trains may use altered platforms between Burnley and Camberwell.- 16.36 Trains have resumed regular platforming.15.41 Belgrave line: Minor delays (police near Boronia). Trains may be held/altered.- 15.51 Clearing.15.42 Sunbury line: Minor delays (police near Keilor Plains). Trains may be held/altered.- 15.56 Clearing.15.46 Mernda line: Major delays clearing after a police action near Trains may be held/altered.- 16.55 New minor delays (police).- 17.05 Now major.- 17.07 clearing.17.57 Pakenham/Cranbourne/Frankson/Sandringham lines: Minor delays clearing after a trespasser between South Yarra and Richmond.18.18 Glen Waverley line: Minor delays (police attending to a trespasser near Mount Waverley).- 18.29 clearing.19.28 Frankston line: Minor delays (an equipment fault at Caulfield).- 19.43 Now major.- 20.07 Back to minor, but the fault is ongoing.Trains are replaced by buses between North Melbourne and Upfield from 20.30 until the last train of Sunday (level-crossing work). Mix of stopping all stations and limited express buses.Buses replace trains between Dandenong and Pakenham from 20.00 until 8.00 Friday and Saturday nights; 20.30 until the last train Monday and Tuesday- Buses replace trains 20.10 Fri. until 6.00 Sat. (works).  [Metro and PTV never communicate]Buses replace trains Laverton - Werribee from 20.40 until the last train of Sun 29 Mar (level-crossing work).Buses replace trains City - Sandringham from 22.45 Fri 27 Mar until the last train of Sun 5 Apr (power upgrades).23.51 Frankston line: Minor delays (police near Seaford).

Teen girl sexually assaulted on busy Melbourne tram March 27, 2020A teenage girl is the latest victim of a brazen sex attack on a Melbourne tram.The 14-year-old was on the 96 tram from Southern Cross Station to St Kilda, when the unknown man approached her from behind about 10.30am on Sunday, February 2.Police want to speak to this man about a sexual assault on a Melbourne tram on February 2. Police have been told the man sexually assaulted the girl and immediately left the tram in St Kilda.The alleged attacker was described as being of Indian sub-continental appearance, aged 25 to 30 years old, about180cm tall and with a medium build.He was wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans, white runners and has distinctive tribal style tattoos on his upper right arm and forearm.Police have released images of the man in the hope someone can identify him.Last month, another man faced court charged with sexually assaulting women on trams. Police allege Cuneyt Dastan repeatedly pressed his erect penis into the bottoms of three women as they stood on trams over three days last year.Two of the alleged incidents also occurred on the 96 tram.Anyone who recognises the man or with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auRelated Article One of Cuneyt Dastan's alleged victims took this picture of him on a tram. Man in court over tram sex assaults urged to consider a guilty plea<www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/teen-girl-sexually-assaulted-on-busy-melbourne-tram-20200327-p54eeg.html>

WA axes controversial $206m Huawei rail deal, blames US trade restrictions March 27, 2020. 11 commentsThe West Australian government has canned a controversial deal with Chinese telco Huawei to build a mobile data network for Perth's public train system.Transport Minister Rita Saffioti released a media statement late Friday afternoon announcing the trade restrictions imposed by the United States on the company had created a force majeure event under the contract, which could not be overcome.Huawei won't be involved in building a mobile data network for Perth's public rail system.Credit:AP Photo/Mark SchiefelbeinHuawei, which was to build 80 mobile towers along Perth's railway corridors in a consortium with UGL, had assured the government last year it could still deliver the project.But Ms Saffioti said further restrictions imposed by the US in August had a greater impact.She said if Huawei was not dumped, there would be unacceptable uncertainty around the total cost of the project, final completion time and no guarantee that the proposed solution would be effective.Ms Saffioti said the decision had been taken before taking into account disruption caused by the COVID-19 crisis.Public Transport Authority would now attempt to complete the project without breaching US trade restrictions.This could include a range of outcomes, from withdrawal of Huawei Australia from the contract to termination of the contract with the consortium.The original requirement for the PTA to vacate the analogue radio spectrum by May 2020 has since been extended to beyond 2021.Government responses to potential security threats posed by Chinese telco Huawei have been mixed globally.HuaweiWA Huawei rail radio project's CCTV, body cam and live-tracking potential revealedAdd to shortlist"It is extremely unfortunate that the state government's project – which is limited to a radio network for train drivers and transit guards – has been caught up in the ongoing trade dispute between the US and China," Ms Saffioti said."In all the circumstances, the PTA has recommended a fresh approach for the Radio Systems Replacement project."We'll continue to work towards the delivery of a high quality radio system at the best possible price for taxpayers."The announcement was referred to as "shameful" by Shadow Transport Minister Libby Mettam."The McGowan government's inability to deliver this $206 million project has been known for some time and the fact that the government chooses to announce this now is a far cry from the gold standard of transparency Premier Mark McGowan promised," she said."This is a disgraceful attempt to avoid public scrutiny, announcing at 4pm on a Friday during a pandemic its failure to deliver the only Metronet project it had commenced."This $206 million contract has been problematic from the start and the fact the government has chosen to make this announcement now and not earlier is a shameful reflection on their management of the transport portfolio.."It is beyond belief that the Minister for Transport has announced the demise of the Huawei contract in exactly the same way she announced its commencement - a shameful act of cover-up."<www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/wa-axes-controversial-206m-huawei-rail-deal-blames-us-trade-restrictions-20200327-p54eq6.html>
Man wanted over tram sex assault on Year 8 student
Herald Sun March 27, 2020A 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on a tram in February, and police have released images of a man they wish to speak to about the shocking incident.Police have released an image of a man they wish to speak to in relation to a sexual assault on a tram in February.A tattooed creep who sexually assaulted a teenage girl on a tram for several minutes is wanted by police. Transit Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the sexual assault on a route 96 tram on February 2.Police have been told a 14-year-old girl was on a St Kilda bound tram from Southern Cross about 10.30am.An unknown man approached the girl from behind and sexually assaulted her before getting off the tram in St Kilda.Senior Constable Hannah Smith said the victim, a Year 8 student, was assaulted for “up to five or six minutes” in the brazen broad daylight attack.“She was certainly shaken and quiet emotional and upset,” Sen Constable Smith said.“She was unable to respond in that moment for various reasons, the fact it was packed, the fact she was terrified. This is how he was able to offend for a very long time.“She felt unable to confront him and so he used her vulnerability to continue his offending.“He just got off the tram and didn’t make eye contact with her.”The victim was with a group of friends aboard the crowded tram travelling to a pride march in support of the LGBTI+ community.The alleged offender faces charges of sexual assault of a child under 16 which carries a jail term.Senior Constable Smith implored the alleged offender to “get on the front foot” and speak to police.“I would like to hear his version of events,” she said.Police were also appealing for witnesses, in particular women who spoke to the victim after the incident, to come forward to Crime Stoppers.Investigators have released an image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.Police describe the man as Indian Sub-Continental appearance, aged 25-30-years-old, 180cm tall with a medium build.He was wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans, white runners and has distinctive tribal style tattoos on his upper right arm and forearm.<www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts/man-wanted-over-tram-sex-assault-on-teenager/news-story/470d276d9275fadfa6facec33e6d7d6b>
Arthurs Seat Eagle owners say the gondola will run again and is not in financial difficulty [paywalled; with ATN]Mornington Peninsula Leader March 27, 2020<www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/arthurs-seat-eagle-owners-say-the-gondola-will-run-again-and-is-not-in-financial-difficulty/news-story/e21d0f1e37f4c3c8e24c8573036f42e4>