New Parramatta ferries can’t run at night due to driver visibility issue

Another safety issue has hit Parramatta’s new River Class fleet that will need to be replaced before they go into service.

Parramatta’s new problem-plagued ferries cannot operate at night because drivers are being confused by lights reflected onto the cabin windows.

The safety flaw is the ­latest in a series of issues to hit the 10 River Class ferries which were initially scheduled to enter service on the Parramatta-to-Circular Quay route in mid-2020 but are currently undergoing a final fit-out.

Testing crews have warned the design of the windows in the wheelhouse of the vessels causes night-time glare and reflections that ­impede drivers’ visibility.

The Liz Ellis, one of the new Parramatta River Class ferries docked in Rozelle Bay. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The Maritime Union of Australia’s (MUA) Paul Garrett said the windows on the Indonesian-built boats were “in breach of the Australian Maritime Safety standards and will all need to be ­replaced”.

The glaring issue means the boats could not operate at night, he said.

Trials have been conducted this week in a bid to fix the issue, with the government hoping applying window tinting or an anti-glare coating will suffice. However a test on Monday night was unsuccessful.

Mr Garrett said the MUA had raised the issue “for months” and, before this week, Transdev, a private transport operator, was “yet to adequately resolve the problem”.

The fresh safety concerns come after asbestos was discovered on a number of the River Class ferries after they arrived in NSW last year. Remedial work was required to remove the asbestos.

The NSW government has also confirmed the boats are too tall to safely pass under certain bridges on the Par­ramatta River, meaning ­passengers travelling on the upper decks will be forced to move downstairs as the ferries approach Camellia Railway Bridge and Gasworks Bridge.

Deputy Labor leader Yasmin Catley labelled the new ferries a “non-stop disaster”.

“This is what happens when you buy cheap stuff online, (Transport) Minister (Andrew) Constance,” she said.

“You got carried away with the government credit card and bought cheap junk sight unseen from overseas, and now we’re left to deal with the problems.”

Tina Zhong and Benny Zderic loved the picturesque trip on the current ferry. Picture: Richard Dobson

A Transport for NSW spokesman confirmed work was under way to “reduce the glare caused by city lights during night operations”.

He said fixing the windows was “a normal part of any commissioning process”.

The first four River Class ferries arrived in Sydney in October last year.

“The vast majority of ­improvements are now complete and we’re expecting the vessels to go into passenger service within the coming months,” the spokesman said.

The Daily Telegraph was told that as part of the testing process, vessels were being pushed beyond normal operating conditions to boost confidence in them.

An eight-hour on-water trial was “successfully carried out” on the harbour last week and four of the 10 boats have been moved to a Rozelle ­marina while they await the final green light.

The River Class vessels will replace the SuperCats and HarbourCats ferries as well as charter vessels that were used to supplement the regular river timetables.

Passengers Benny Zderic and Tina Zhong, 26, gave the Parramatta route the tick of approval as a “picturesque and more relaxing” trip. Ms Zderic said the ferry currently in service “doesn’t take any longer than driving,” in comments that emphasise the need to get the new vessels into service and onto the water.