Media Release: Government must come clean on future transport projects

The NSW Government must come clean about the future of NSW transport projects in the state following reports today that major transport projects would likely need to be scrapped or changed due to a multibillion-dollar funding shortfall that the government was warned about last year.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW Secretary, Alex Claassens, said the community and workers deserve to know what the government is actually capable of delivering and called for a forensic review of all planned works to be conducted and released – including for projects like the New Regional Fleet and the New Intercity Fleet which workers have serious concerns about.

“This government is proving itself day after day to be completely incompetent when it comes to managing our state’s transport,” Mr Claassens said.

“Why are commuters and workers still being told about transport projects that may never see the light of day?

“The NSW Government needs to come clean about what the future of our transport in the state actually looks like, and what is just PR spin and smoke and mirrors.

“We need complete transparency around transport projects, particularly around projects under serious safety clouds such as the New Intercity Fleet and the New Regional Fleet.”

Mr Claassens also said revelations today that the NSW Government pushed ahead with transport projects despite being warned of great safety risks to workers is disgraceful.

“To push ahead with a project despite knowing that it puts the lives of workers and commuters at risk is atrocious.

“The union raised many concerns about the Metro during the planning phase. To now find out that in addition to the union’s safety and running concerns, the government had a document that clearly stated that there was a “high” risk that a “catastrophic health, safety, or security event” could occur while the Sydney Metro project was being built makes the whole situation even worse.”