Barry O'Farrell MP
Deputy NSW Liberal Leader, Shadow Minister for Transport, Shadow Minister for Waterways
At a time when they are struggling to cope with fewer, overcrowded train services, commuters will be furious that train drivers are spending their days sitting around watching DVDs and reading, Shadow Minister for Transport Barry O’Farrell said today.
“This is yet another example of the Iemma Government’s mismanagement of the rail system,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“Three years ago it presided over a shortage of train drivers that helped cause Sydney’s rail crisis,” he said.
“Now we have such an oversupply that drivers are complaining about too little work!”
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“It’s ridiculous that commuters are being forced to endure fewer and slower services while train drivers can sit around and be paid to watch DVDs and read.
“Labor’s timetable slashed 270 daily CityRail services[*1] leading to on-going complaints about overcrowding, particularly on afternoon peak services.
“Commuters who regularly squeeze into overcrowded carriages would like nothing more than for these drivers to be actively employed on the network.”
Mr O’Farrell said the current arrangement raised concerns about possible safety concerns.
“If drivers are unable to refresh their skills set by regularly driving trains on the network, it has the potential to make trains less safe.
“Train drivers simply want to get on with the job of providing transport services to the travelling public.
“Transport Minister John Watkins needs to explain why there’s a glut of drivers on the network.
“Once again both commuters and taxpayers alike will be despairing at Labor’s mismanagement of public transport,” Mr O’Farrell said.
*1 John Watkins, p. 20691 LA Hansard 28 Feb 2006
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