KiwiRail is defending its staff following a report which criticised their actions during a fire on a train.
One passenger was treated for smoke inhalation after the fire on the Melling to Wellington service on 11 October last year.
An interim report found the staff misdiagnosed the fire as a braking issue, felt pressure to keep the service running to avoid delays, and left passengers to decide on an evacuation.
Wellington regional councillor Paul Swain, who released the report, says training needs to be improved immediately, and the report's nine recommendations adopted.
KiwiRail general manager Deborah Hume says there is variability among the 200 staff on the train system but no systemic problem with employees.
"I don't have the same concerns that Mr Swain has but I can understand that he would like to be vigilant in this area and we too feel that way so we're always looking at ways we can improve."
Ms Hume says the industry is heavily regulated, and all staff are trained for incidents such as fire on board a train.
