Media release – Government prior knowledge of cracked trams disgraceful: tram drivers

Media release, 14 October 2022: The revelation today of internal documents which show that the NSW Government knew about the risk of trams on Sydney’s inner-west line cracking, but did nothing about it point to a government willing to turn a blind eye to transport safety risks, tram drivers say.

Secretary of the Tram and Bus Division of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW, David Babineau, said the revelations that documents provided to the government highlighted a risk of “faults and failures” around two years prior to the trams being taken off the tracks for an extended period of time are a slap in the face to workers and commuters.

“That the government knew about these risks but simply turned a blind eye to them is disgraceful,” Mr Babineau said.

“This clear show of government incompetence resulted in absolute transport mayhem for inner-west commuters. The idea that it could have been avoided but wasn’t is unbelievable.

“The people of the inner-west were left without trams for months. They should all be asking questions about why the government allowed it to get to that point.

“Not only did the government ignore the warnings, but they then went ahead and order more overseas made trams without any further investigation.

“The sooner this NSW Government realises that public transport is a public need and not a political plaything, the better.”