The NSW Liberal Government is planning to buy seven more River Class Ferries from overseas to replace the Sydney Ferry Fleet’s existing Rivercats, even though the existing River Class Ferries were filled with defects when they arrived.
The Indonesian built River Class ferries which were commissioned by the Liberals have been plagued with a series of problems, including:
- being riddled with asbestos;
- filled with faulty electrical equipment and cabling;
- had a sub-standard fit and finish;
- couldn’t travel at night because of reflective wheelhouse glass;
- couldn’t travel under the bridges on the Parramatta River with passengers on the top deck;
- engines repeatedly stalled; and
- the vessels couldn’t enact an emergency stop.
But the NSW Liberals are proceeding with a plan to buy seven more, even though their own Future Transport Strategy supports the procurement of electric ferries that could potentially be built in Australia.
NSW Acting Shadow Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“When will they learn?
“The government’s recommendation to retire the Rivercats and commission more overseas built, defect ridden River Class ferries means Western Sydney passengers will get a second class service delivered by second class ferries.
“Dominic Perrottet had an opportunity to replace the Rivercats with Australian made electric ferries. That’s what his own future transport strategy recommends. Instead, the government is just repeating its procurement mistakes.”
JOHN GRAHAM MLC
ACTING NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT
