Transport for NSW launch rugby league-themed tram safety campaign
Rugby league greats have teamed up with Transport for NSW to launch a tram safety campaign, as day and night testing in the CBD and south eastern suburbs ramps up.
Light rail testing is expected to extend to Circular Quay by next month, as those frequenting the inner city are reminded to be on high alert for approaching trams.
Transport For NSW has launched a rugby league-themed campaign to raise awareness of the need for safety around trams as testing ramps up before services begin in December.
The ‘Play it Safe’ campaign features NRL greats Craig Wing, Steve ‘Blocka’ Roach, Steven Menzies and women’s NSW Origin star Ruan Sims running into trouble with a referee for “being offside” around the tracks.
Significant milestones have been marked on Sydney’s troubled $2.7 billion CBD and south east light rail project in recent weeks, with night and day time tram testing between Randwick and Surry Hills beginning.
Night testing to the Town Hall stop on George St has also begun, and day trials are soon to run through the CBD from Central to Town Hall, according to Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Ms Berejiklian thanked Sydneysiders for their patience in the light rail’s drawn out construction process.
“We can expect to see a lot more light rail vehicles making their way through the CBD from now on,” she said.
“Day testing is underway between Randwick and Central. It will be extended to Town Hall soon and the vehicles will reach Circular Quay within months.
“The light at the end of the light rail project is here upon us.”
Inspecting progress on the project at Town Hall on Wednesday, Transport Minister Andrew Constance said George St’s new 1km pedestrian zone — forged around the light rail tracks -would make it one world’s “great boulevards”.
Sydney’s new trams will carry 450 passengers — equivalent to eight standard buses — and move up to 13,500 people each hour during the peaks.
But transport officials are urging motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to use caution around the tracks, as trams are much quieter than Sydney’s cars and buses and cannot stop quickly.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said people needed to be aware of the “changed environment” in the CBD and south eastern suburbs.
“Trams are quieter than people expect and cannot stop easily or quickly,” he said.
“We need pedestrians to look up from their phones and for cyclists and drivers to be aware and remember that tracks are for trams.”
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