Newcastle’s light rail network has been suspended after a mechanical issue was found in the Spanish-built trams,which are from the same manufacturer as the cracked inner west service.
A dedicated ferry service from Blackwattle Bay to Barangaroo will be introduced as one option for commuters left stranded by the crippled inner west light rail.
Sizeable cracks were discovered in all 12 trams servicing the inner west light rail last month forcing the closure of the line for up to 18 months.
Transdev Sydney made the concession in a staff note the same year it was selected to operate the city’s CBD and South-East line.
Not only does a protracted closure of the inner west light rail system pose an obvious problem for Sydney’s transport network and businesses,but also for the Perrottet government,which is now racing to find a solution before the next election.
Rob Stokes said the state government wants the Spanish company that made Sydney’s cracked inner west trams to pay for their rectification.
Cracks in the inner west trams are so extensive they have been seen to open and close even while travelling on straight sections of the network,a transport official has revealed.
Commuters forced to catch replacement buses for the suspended inner west light rail will receive half-price fares after the government backed down on charging passengers in full.
Suspension of the inner west light rail line will inconvenience commuters preparing to go back to their offices and schools.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the commuters should pay their fair share despite the inconvenience of the suspended light rail service.
But the impact on the CBD’s economic recovery will be felt,the Premier concedes.