Talgo train trial sparks war of words between Liberal MP Vincent Tarzia and transport minister Tom Koutsantonis

A proposed passenger train trial by “railway geniuses” was flawed from the start, the state Opposition says – but the transport minister has hit back at his “young friend”.

The state Liberal Opposition has ripped into a proposed train trial between Mount Barker and the Adelaide CBD, saying it was obviously “flawed” from the beginning.

But Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said he’s given Spanish locomotive manufacturer Talgo “all necessary assistance” to run the tilt train trial, as long as it meets Australia’s existing regulations.

Opposition transport spokesman Vincent Tarzia said Mr Koutsantonis had also blamed “railway geniuses” for the flaws in the trial.

“It was obvious from day dot that Labor’s plan to run a train from Mt Barker to the CBD at more than 160km/h was flawed, but the insult to injury is Tom Koutsantonis laying blame on railway geniuses, claiming they weren’t smart enough to properly understand the brief,” Mr Tarzia said.

Mr Tarzia said Talgo was an industry leader when it came to public transport.

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

“Tom Koutsantonis has been caught out making promises he can’t keep that may have swayed election votes. Once again – and thanks to Labor – the people of the Hills lose.”

Talgo, which specialises in high-speed locomotives, is currently seeking more money from the Spanish government after the state government agreed to allow it to test its unique tilt trains – as long as it didn’t cost SA taxpayers.

The trial, which would cost more than $5m, aims to ease Hills traffic congestion but appears to be in doubt after confusion over Mount Barker’s size and distance from the CBD.

On Monday, Transport Department CEO Jon Whelan told a parliamentary committee Talgo would have been “shocked by the windy, constrained hills environment” and surprised they wouldn’t be able to run a train faster than 160km/h.

Mr Koutsantonis said the state government the trial was now in Talgo’s hands.

“Only my young friend Vincent Tarzia could pour scorn on a private company’s aspiration to invest in South Australia while simultaneously claiming it is the state government insulting the company,” he said.

SA Liberal MP Vincent Tarzia. Picture: Emma Brasier

“This government committed to give Talgo all necessary assistance to allow them to conduct a tilt train trial between Adelaide and Mount Barker, subject to meeting existing regulatory requirements. We have honoured that commitment. Any further decisions are a matter for Talgo.

“Unlike my young friend and his Liberal colleagues, we remain open to exploring all transport options for future needs of Mount Barker and Hills residents, given the projected population growth of the area.”

Mr Koutsantonis said the Mount Barker and Adelaide Hills Transport Study – a key election commitment that will inform future transport investment in the region – would released publicly “shortly and will point to future opportunities and next steps”.

“No option is off the table, but these are planning considerations for long-term future needs – not for political headline grabbing.

“In the meantime, we are already addressing existing Hills transport needs straight away, with additional bus services coming online last month and more to roll out across the coming year.”

Originally published as Talgo train trial sparks war of words between Liberal MP Vincent Tarzia and transport minister Tom Koutsantonis