Stay alert around Newcastle Light Rail

Today marks the start of Rail Safety Week, with Newcastle Transport urging Novocastrians to stay alert and stay safe around the Newcastle light rail.

CCTV footage released shows a number of dangerous incidents from motorists and pedestrians over the last twelve months.

Keolis Downer Hunter General Manager, Emmanuel Genlot said the vision is worrying and is reminding the community to take light rail safety seriously. “This year’s CCTV footage is very concerning. The Newcastle light rail has been in operation for five years now, and unfortunately, we continue to see complacency from the community around the network.

“In the last 12 months there continue to be incidents of motorists driving along the alignment and running red lights on Stewart Avenue and Steel Street, with some resulting in collisions with our trams.

“We also continue to see pedestrians running across the tracks, resulting in tripping and falling on to the road.

“Our tram drivers do a great job in anticipating driver behaviour, as some of these incidents could have had a very different ending.

“I want to remind the community that these dangerous actions have a broader impact, not only on the individual, but on tram drivers, passengers, and the wider community,” he said.

Peter Samdell, Light Rail Vehicle Operator, Keolis Downer Hunter

Tram driver, Peter Samdell says the community needs to become more aware of their surroundings around light rail.

“Light rail vehicles are huge, weighing fifty tonnes, so once you get going, it can be hard to stop.

“While our tram drivers use every possible safety measure to avoid a collision, at the end of the day, we need the community to play its part,” he said.

“For road users it is as simple as following the road rules and paying attention when behind the wheel.

“For pedestrians, only cross at the designated pedestrian crossings and when the light is green and put your phone away to make sure you are alert to your surroundings.

“Cyclists should keep a safe distance from trams and not ride along the tram tracks.”

The familiar ‘Be aware the rhino’ campaign will run throughout Rail Safety Week to remind motorists, pedestrians and customers to stay alert around Newcastle’s light rail.