‘Beaten track’: New theory over inner west’s tram calamity

Cracks in Inner West Light Rail trams which have taken the service off line for up to 18 months may have been caused by something other than a design flaw, it’s been claimed.

Cracks in Inner West Light Rail trams which have taken the service off line for up to 18 months may have been caused by poor track maintenance.

Work has begun to repair the 12 trams, with Transport for NSW Chief Operating Officer Howard Collins hoping they can be back on track faster than the 18 months “worst case scenario”.

Despite Transport Minister Rob Stokes initially labelling the problem a “design flaw,” authorities will investigate whether the cracks were caused by running them on poorly maintained tracks or even because the trams were travelling too fast.

The cracks forced the government to shut the trams down. Picture: Supplied

Cracks on the inner west light rail trams. Picture: Supplied

Rail enthusiasts have speculated that the trams may have been used outside their ‘operating parameters,’ raising questions about whether they were the right vehicle for the job.

Premier Dominic Perrottet on Sunday said the cracking – which has forced commuters onto replacement buses was “unacceptable” and “terrible”.

Mr Perrottet said the government is investigating ways Sydney’s light rail projects “could have been improved’.

“There are many lessons, particularly on the light rail for the government to learn from going forward,” he said.

Spanish manufacturer CAF told Transport for NSW the cracking may have been caused by an external problem not a design flaw, but similar cracks in the wheel arches have appeared in their trams in other parts of the world.

“Up to four operators worldwide have had some issues regarding the … inner wheel arch,” Mr Collins said.

The inner west light rail service from Dulwich Hill to Central Station has been decommissioned for 18 months

Transport for NSW was first aware that there could be a problem with the trams in June after the same Urbos 3 carriages were taken offline in the UK.

Extensive investigations revealed the extent of the cracking just last week.

“The advice from CAF was there should be no issues with Inner West Light Rail light rail vehicles, if operated in line with infrastructure, operations, and maintenance aspects considered during design phase,” a Transport for NSW spokesman said.

Mr Collins was adamant the repair bill won’t be passed on to NSW residents.

“Someone’s got to pay but it’s not going to be the taxpayer of NSW,” he said.

Separately, the Premier yesterday admitted the CBD light rail project could have been handled better, after The Sunday Telegraph revealed that up to half a billion dollars in compensation could be paid to impacted businesses.

“Could that project have occurred better and could have been procured in a better way? Absolutely,” he said.

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Originally published as ‘Beaten track’: New theory over inner west’s tram calamity