New train fleet could be on the tracks in months under new proposal
A week after declaring changes to a multi-billion dollar train fleet unnecessary, IR Minister Damien Tudehope is open to the modifications demanded by the union.
NSW
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A new proposal to get a multi-billion train fleet on the tracks could see the trains modified subject to certain conditions, with Industrial Relations Minister Damien Tudehope “open” to making modifications.
Transport Minister David Elliott told union leaders on Thursday that he would push for minor modifications to be made to the New Intercity Fleet as long as the changes did not void any warranties.
Mr Tudehope indicated that he was open to agreeing to the changes, as long as certain criteria were met.
Alterations would need to be approved by the safety regulator and not have any negative impact on train safety.
The union would also need to give up its power to veto operating new technologies.
Mr Tudehope said his approval would be subject to new costings on the modifications.
It marks a dramatic reversal of Mr Tudehope’s position, after he last week declared changes to the trains would be unnecessary.
“Commonsense has prevailed,” RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens told The Daily Telegraph.
The modifications still need to be ticked off by cabinet’s expenditure review committee.
“We will continue to negotiate in good faith while the government finalises its costings,” Mr Claassens said.
The Ministers told the union they wanted to see a train running by August.
The agreement essentially reinstates the position which had been reached last week, before Mr Tudehope and Treasurer Matt Kean declared the government would not bow to the RTBU’s demands to change the fleet.
The New Intercity Fleet has been in storage since arriving in the country amid the RTBU’s refusal to operate the trains.
The union has demanded changes to how the trains operate, arguing guards cannot clearly see the platform as trains approach the station.
Last Thursday, Mr Tudehope said the new trains were “ready to be rolled out”. Treasurer Matt Kean likened the changes being demanded by the unions to “taking a “sledgehammer” to the $2.8 billion fleet.
Government modelling last week estimated the changes being sought by the union could cost as much as $1 billion in direct and indirect costs.
“I intend to take the package of preferred claims and modifications to the NIF to Cabinet as soon as the schedule of work and the associated costs are finalised,” Mr Elliott said in a statement.
“During two months of intense negotiations, I have always acted with transparency and fairness.”
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