New Sydney ferries will only operate when the sun is up
Sydneyâs new, problem-plagued River-class ferries will only be able to operate during daylight hours when they enter service more than a year late, with the private operator yet to find a solution to ongoing night-time safety concerns.
A design fault in the wheelhouse of the ferries is causing reflection issues for the crew at night, with significant structural rectification work to address the problem likely to take months.
One of Sydneyâs new, problem-plagued River-class ferries at the Balmain Yard in Sydney on Wednesday.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
Instead, the 10 River-class ferries â" which were meant to enter service on Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River in mid-2020 â" will operate when the sun is up.
The design fault is the latest in a litany of issues to have been uncovered with the Indonesian-built ferries. Asbestos was found in the vessels before it was revealed they cannot pass under several bridges while passengers are seated on the top deck.
The ferries have also experienced stalling problems during emergency stops in extreme conditions.
A spokeswoman for the private ferry operator Transdev confirmed the vessels would operate during daylight hours while they worked on a solution.
One of the new River-class ferries on Sydney Harbour.
âOver the coming weeks and months, weâll continue to progressively roll out the rest of the fleet for day time operations while we work on a solution to reduce glare in the wheelhouse to allow for night-time operations,â the spokeswoman said.
Because the ferries at first wonât be able to operate past 4pm, the older vessels that the 10 River-class are meant to be replacing will be kept in operation.
âUntil the new River Class ferries are available for night-time operations, existing fleet will continue to be used to ensure continuity of services for customers,â the spokeswoman said.
The latest issue will intensify scrutiny on the NSW governmentâs privatisation of the cityâs ferry service and the subsequent overseas procurement of vessels.
Opposition transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen said Transport Minister Andrew Constance needed to explain why the government allowed the overseas procurement of the ferries.
âThese foreign-made ferries are over a year late, canât safely travel under bridges and can only operate when the sun is up,â Ms Haylen said.
âThat Andrew Constance bought ferries from overseas that only work half the time makes it clear that he just canât be relied on to deliver the public transport services that Sydneysiders need.â
Transdev signed a nine-year, $1.3 billion contract to operate Sydneyâs ferries in 2019.
While built overseas, Mr Constance said 70 per cent of the total budget of the River-class boats had benefited Australian suppliers.
âTransdev accepted [Australian ship builder] Birdonâs recommendation for some overseas construction to occur,â he said. âThis was based on cost considerations and the ability to achieve safety criteria within the pre-COVID delivery timeframe.â
The ferries are completing their final water trials, and are expected to begin day time operations very soon, according to Transdev.
Once Transdev finds a solution to the reflection issues, they will incrementally make the changes to the ferries, while most of the fleet remains in operation.
The Herald reported in July that remedial work could include cutting the wheelhouse deckhead â" the vesselâs ceiling â" re-angling the windows and then putting the deckhead back on the vessels.
Graeme Taylor, from Action for Public Transport, said Transdev must work to rectify the problems.
âThe modifications to the wheelhouse design on the 10 River-class vessels, while expensive, are necessary to ensure these vessels can operate in both the morning and afternoon commuter peaks at all times of year,â he said.
âLimiting the operations of the vessels to daylight hours is very problematic, especially during the colder months of the year when days are shorter.â
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Tom Rabe is Transport Reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.
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