MEDIA RELEASE DEFAULT MINISTER NICK GREINER SAYS NORTH WEST RAIL LINK TO GO PRIVATE

MEDIA RELEASE
16 November 2011

DEFAULT MINISTER NICK GREINER SAYS NORTH WEST RAIL LINK TO GO PRIVATE - COMMUTERS FACE HIGHER FARES

Former Liberal Premier and Head of Infrastructure NSW, Nick Greiner, has let the cat out of the bag today – admitting he would like to see the North West Rail Link built and operated by the private sector.

Shadow Minister for Transport Penny Sharpe said the revised plan could see commuters paying more when the rail line is finally built.

"The only privately built and operated line in Sydney is the Liberal's infamous Airport Rail Link, where passengers are levied a Station Access Fee, on top of their regular CityRail fare," said Ms Sharpe. 

"Now Nick Greiner is back and it sounds like the North West Rail Link could be headed for the same fate.

"If the North West Rail Link is owned and operated by the private sector, the Government will inevitably have less control over service frequency and fares.

"That means higher fares for commuters in Sydney's North West.

"Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian may try to deny it, but it's Nick Greiner that's calling the shots.

"The resurrected former Premier has turned default Transport Minister in recent months – directing Government decision making on major projects including the North West Rail Link."

Ms Sharpe said Mr Greiner's comments have cast a shadow over the rail project, only three days after the Government announced it had submitted a fully costed plan to Infrastructure Australia.

"On the weekend the Government said the project was ready to go – now it looks like the North West Rail Link isn't fully costed and hasn't been signed off by Cabinet," she said.

"These are worrying signs for commuters in Sydney's North West who were promised work would start on the rail line within months.

"The worst part is – it is impossible to tell who in this Government will have the final say.

"Is it Nick Greiner, Gladys Berejiklian, Premier Barry O'Farrell or Acting Premier Andrew Stoner?

"Whoever it is that is actually making decisions on this project needs to come out today and explain what on earth is going on – will the North West Rail Link go private or not?"

[ENDS]