After months of blaming train delays on drivers taking leave, the Minister for Transport Andrew Constance has been left red-faced, as new data reveals that the Liberal Government failed to recruit enough train drivers in their six years in office.

In January, the Sydney train network went into meltdown when Minister Constance rushed out a new timetable despite not having the staff to operate it.

Sydneysiders are still experiencing delayed trains and skipped-stops on a daily basis as the Berejiklian Government tries to play catch-up.

Data obtained by Labor under freedom of information laws show that in the six years to 2016-17, the number of train drivers fell by 141.

In that time 494 drivers left the network but the government only recruited 353.

In 2015-16 alone, 74 drivers quit the network while only two were recruited (see table).

The document also shows that in the seven months to January this year 139 train drivers were recruited, but 83 exited – leaving a net loss of 85 since 2011.

Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Transport Jodi McKay

“The Berejiklian Government had to scramble this year to recruit train drivers, leaving it too little too late.

“Andrew Constance’s new timetable is nothing more than a mirage because he didn’t recruit the drivers to operate it.

“For six solid years the Liberal Government has been losing trains drivers and failing to act.”

Quotes attributable to Jo Haylen, Member for Summer Hill

“It's no surprise that the Minister would have trouble recruiting train drivers given his contempt for public transport workers. 

"Time and time again, this Minister has blamed public transport workers for his own mistakes.

"If he can't get the recruitment of train drivers right, maybe its time the Premier recruited a new Transport Minister."