Minns Labor government review to fix train reliability runs late
Mark Speakman
NSW Leader of the Opposition
Natalie Ward
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads
When Chris Minns came to office his transport agenda was to review first, act second. The First Train Review produced two reports, and commuters have seen no benefit.
The Toll Review has gone nowhere. The Metro Review has been ignored. The Bus Taskforce recommendations are gathering dust and buses that were promised to be built in NSW are being built in China.
The first Train Review sought to blame a 2017 timetable change for poor performance. The Rail Repair Plan was focused more on raising the profile of the then Transport Minister than on raising the reliability of the train network.
Now in May this year, the Premier ordered a second train review 25 months into the job. Documents tabled in Parliament show the review costing taxpayers at least $380,000 was due back to the Government on 21 August. Instead of managing the transport system, the Government is managing the media.
With the Premier setting the groundwork to point the finger and offer excuses, the Minns Labor Government has some serious questions to answer -
How much new capital expenditure from the consolidated fund will be provided to improve train reliability beyond what was forecast in the 2025-26 NSW Budget?
Are all the review’s recommendations fully funded? If not, why not?
Why are taxpayers paying for reviews that don’t solve the problems their taxes are paying for?
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said Labor’s record is all spin and no solutions.
“When something goes wrong the Government does not fix the problem; instead it rushes to polish the story. People want trains that turn up and a government that does its job.
“Running government means making tough calls. Instead, we see a Premier who delays, blames others and leaves commuters stranded,” Mr Speakman said.
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said the Government’s second train review in under two years shows it has failed to take meaningful action.
“Only NSW Labor could order a review into why trains are late and then deliver the review late as well.
“After three budgets and two reports, commuters don’t need more spin; they need answers. Labor can point the finger, or they can deliver solutions, but commuters have had enough,” Ms Ward said.
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