Hundreds Stuck in New Train for 40 Minutes Due to Safety Concern
An estimated 700 passengers - originally reported at twice that number - were locked in one of the new Stadler trains for 40 minutes on Saturday, after the driver stopped the drain fearing the over-capacity could prove to be a safety risk.
Elektriraudtee, the state-owned operator of the trains, told Delfi today that the on-board computer warned the driver after the train had set off from Tallinn, and after 20 kilometers, the driver decided to stop and consult Elektriraudtee's traffic control.
The crowded train was because it was a one-off special departure, commissioned to service a festival on Klooga beach 40 km west of town, but Elektriraudtee could not add enough carriages to the train, as they are yet to take delivery of all the trains and were short-handed.
"Passengers wept and fainted," read the top headline in Postimees' online edition for most of the afternoon - on Monday.
Elektriraudtee consulted Stadler, and decided to allow the train to complete its journey, albeit at only 60 kph, instead of the usual 120 kph.