NewsBite

‘Alarmed:’ NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen announces urgent review into Sydney Trains

NSW’s new Transport Minister said she was “alarmed” after she was briefed on the state’s train network, with the system suffering three major failures in March.

Outrage as Sydney public transport ranked 'best' in world

NSW’s new Transport Minister said she was “alarmed” after receiving urgent briefings on the state’s train network, and had commissioned an independent review to investigate any potential safety and infrastructure concerns. 

Jo Haylen made the announcement on Friday, less than a week after NSW Labor won the state election.

The Transport Minister said there had been three major issues in the last 31 days alone, which indicated the need for a sweeping review. This included a system-wide digital failure which put the entire rail network at a standstill, and an incident in which fallen powerlines trapped more than 400 passengers on a hot carriage for nearly two hours between Revesby and Panania.

Most recently on Saturday evening – the day of the state election – urgent signal repairs caused long delays on multiple train lines.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen commissioned the review just days after she was sworn in as transport Minister. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard
Transport Minister Jo Haylen commissioned the review just days after she was sworn in as transport Minister. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

“What I have learned alarms me, there are serious problems when it comes to our train network in NSW,” said Ms Haylen.

“It’s become a daily occurrence that there are cancellations and delays and as a result, passengers are losing trust in our transport.”

The review will be conducted by National Transport Commission chair Carolyn Walsh, with an interim report expected within six weeks, and a final report to be tabled in late October.

Her recommendations will form “rapid and long term solutions” to fix the problem-plagued heavy rail network.

Funding from the review will be absorbed by the Department of Transport and funded through existing funds, with Ms Haylen clarifying it was a “modest figure” and a ”reasonable process of government”.

In the last 31 days, Sydney’s trail network has been plagued by three major incidents. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Swift
In the last 31 days, Sydney’s trail network has been plagued by three major incidents. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Swift

Ms Walsh said she would be investigating immediate issues related to “safety and reliability” as a priority.

“If you aren’t running a reliable system, with reliable assets, it’s an indicator that there might be some underlying issues,” she said.

“If I do identify any immediately safety issues, I won’t be hesitating and doing something about it but I absolutely don’t have any evidence at this stage that there’s any underlying safety issues in the system.”

Ms Haylen was also stressed the review was “not a witch hunt” and Sydney Trains was “fully co-operating,” and were “open and transparent” in the briefings.

“We want to solve the problems for passengers and we want to work with the workforce to do that together,” she said.

A Sydney Trains spokesperson said they looked “forward to participating in the review and any resultant recommendations”.

“Transport for NSW and Sydney Trains will assist in any way needed to support the work of Carolyn Walsh with the independent Rail Infrastructure and Systems,” they said.

“Sydney Trains always strives to provide the best possible service for our customers and thanks our hardworking staff for their tireless efforts.”

Read related topics:Sydney

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/health-safety/alarmed-nsw-transport-minister-jo-haylen-announces-urgent-review-into-sydney-trains/news-story/ab5a3a06af50360547b00652975fd7e9