Serious safety concerns have been raised by the NSW Government about cracks appearing in Sydney’s light rail infrastructure – the same infrastructure used by Canberra’s light rail.

As a result, Sydney’s Inner West Line will be out of service for the next 18 months.

Shadow Transport Minister Mark Parton said its worrying that millions of taxpayer dollars were spent on a light rail project that is seeing serious issues in other jurisdictions.

“The Labor-Greens Government knew about these issues with the CAF Urbos 3 LRV before purchasing them, but still purchased them anyway,” said Mr Parton.

“This Labor-Greens Government has put all their public transport eggs in one basket, and now it looks like that basket could be about to crack.

“Canberra could be on the verge of an 18-month shutdown of the light rail, plus further blow outs in the cost of the project.

“The Labor-Greens Government must explain to Canberrans why they purchased the vehicles when major safety issues have been raised since 2014."

Issues with the CAF Urbos 3 LRVs have already affected light rail networks in Belgrade, Serbia, Birmingham, United Kingdom, and Besançon, France. The ACT currently owns 14 CAF Urbos 3 LRVs, with 4 more of the same LRV due to be acquired shortly.

“This is just the latest, and it certainly won’t be the last, Labor-Greens Government stuff up and cost blow out when it comes to the light rail project.” Mr Parton concluded.