Footage Released of Newcastle Light Rail Near Misses

BY OLI GOELDNER 

Newcastle Transport is urging residents to pay attention when around trams, following another year of near misses. 

CCTV footage released today shows a number of alarming close calls from pedestrians and vehicles near the Newcastle light rail over the past 12 months. 

Local tram driver Victoria Tonks said it can be very stressful, especially at peak times when the platform is crowded or when people are rushing to cross the road in front of a moving tram.

“Just a moment of distraction could have serious consequences," said Ms Tonks. 

"It’s terrifying when someone runs in front of you or jumps down onto the tracks." 

Keolis Hunter General Manager Arsene Durand-Raucher said the footage is a stark reminder of the risks people take around trams. 

The calls come alongside Rail Safety Week, being held until Sunday 17 August. 

“Every near miss leaves a lasting impact – not just for the person involved, but also for our tram drivers, staff and customers,” Mr Durand-Raucher said.

“We’ve been operating the light rail for more than seven years, and yet we continue to see some incredibly dangerous behaviour by both motorists and pedestrians.

“We continually see people jumping onto the tracks or running in front of moving trams, putting themselves and others at serious risk. 

"Emergency braking can result in falls for onboard passengers which can have life altering consequences.

Mr Durand-Raucher advised commuters should wait behind the white line on the platform, always cross at designated crossings and avoid rushing for closing doors. 

Footage of the incidents can be found on the 2NURFM Facebook page. 

A near miss from an attempted stunt at the Civic light rail stop. Picture: Newcastle Transport

One Month on, Light Rail Running Well

BY KAYNE STEPHENS

One month since its opening, Newcastle's light rail service is being regarded as a success for public transport in the city.

Opal tap-on data released last week revealed 4,300 passengers on average were using the service daily - well above the forecasted numbers of 1,800 per day.

The service encountered minor breakdowns earlier in the month, but passengers have taken well to the service.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald said teething problems were always expected, but shouldn't be the norm.

"A complex piece of infrastructure like this can always throw up a challenge, but I'm very confident it's going to continue to service public transport extremely well across Newcastle," he said.

Discussions were raised this month about the possible expansion of the service, including lines to Broadmeadow Stadium and John Hunter Hospital. Given the performance of the light rail in the first month, Scot MacDonald said it was worth considering.

"Obviously if you are going to extend it, you need to see that it has been embraced and numbers are holding up, so I think it adds to the case," he said.

"Those factors are coming into play now. I'm very hopeful that's what will happen in the future."

Scot MacDonald says he's quite pleased with how the service has performed in its first month, and expects the trends to continue.

"I think it'll be more than a honeymoon period. I think people are settling into it now as it's one month today. I will be very very surprised if this doesn't firm up or maybe even lift when people get used to it," he said.

The light rail service runs six stops between Newcastle Interchange and Newcastle Beach. The fare for using the service is $2.20 for Adult Opal cards, and $1.10 for Concession, with it costing only 20c or 10c for concessions if transferring to or from a train service.

Newcastle's light rail is celebrating its one-moth milestone. Picture: Transport for NSW