The NSW Government’s River Class ferries will only operate during the daytime until the Government figures out a solution to the massive defects in each of the ten foreign-built River Class ferries.
Embarrassingly, the ferries, which Andrew Constance bought overseas, will only sail between 7:30am-4:00pm until the wheelhouse problems are fixed and the ferries are deemed safe to operate at night.
Last month, trials revealed that the River Class’ wheelhouse glass windows made it impossible for the crew to safely distinguish between light sources in their peripheral vision or along their line of sight to the horizon. As a result each ferry requires to have the wheelhouse completely ripped off, rebuilt and then put back together.
The ferries were delivered full of asbestos, they are unable to safely travel under bridges along the Parramatta River and cannot safely enact an emergency stop.
Shadow Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said: “This ‘duck’ ferry debacle is now well beyond a joke. These foreign-made ferries are over a year late, they can’t safely travel under bridges and can only operate when the sun is up.
“It’s bad enough that Andrew Constance thought Ferry McFerryFace was funny, now he’s turning Sydney’s ferries into a complete laughingstock.
“That Andrew Constance bought ferries from overseas that only work half the time makes it clear that he just can’t be relied on to deliver the public transport services that Sydneysiders deserve.
“Given these vessels have a limited operating life, have been delayed for over a year and can now only operate during daylight, Mr Constance needs to reveal what the full cost of his failed pet project is.
“The Liberal Government needs to learn from its mistakes and build vital transport infrastructure right here in NSW.”