Home / Disasters and Accidents / Sydney Light Rail: Safety Project Killed by Cost, Whistleblower Claims
Sydney Light Rail: Safety Project Killed by Cost, Whistleblower Claims
9 Apr
Summary
- Safety upgrades were trialled after a 2023 fatality but stopped due to cost.
- A second death occurred in 2025 before safety measures were implemented.
- Operator Transdev denies the safety assessment was ever shelved.
A critical 'coupling project' investigating safety upgrades for Sydney's light rail was allegedly halted due to cost following a 2023 fatality, a whistleblower claims. The project, which trialled sensors to detect people between tram carriages, was reportedly stopped before a second death occurred in 2025.
Transdev, the operator, denies the safety assessment was ever shelved, asserting that the technology's feasibility and integration required testing. The company stated it has implemented other upgrades since the 2023 incident. The whistleblower alleges that Transdev and light rail manager Altrac sought cost-sharing from Transport for NSW, which declined.
The national rail safety regulator (ONRSR) was reportedly briefed on the coupling project by March 2024. While Transdev maintains safety decisions align with laws and regulatory liaison, the whistleblower expressed deep disappointment that cost concerns allegedly outweighed the project's life-saving potential.
Following the second death in 2025, the coupling project has reportedly been restarted due to pressure from senior ONRSR officials. The ONRSR stated it is reviewing the operator's safety systems and remains in dialogue, noting the different contributing factors in the two tragic incidents.
