Industry body on ACT Govt light rail costings "Something doesn't add up"

The Australasian Railway Association has come out with yet more figures questioning the ACT Governments inflated costings for the Gungahlin to Civic transit corridor.

"If a city like Sydney can cost light rail at $29 million, claiming it would cost $66 million in Canberra is outrageous. Something doesn't add up."

The estimated cost of the Sydney light rail expansion is in line with industry estimates, such as those provided by the Tourism and Transport Forum, placing the cost of light rail at $20-$40 million per kilometre.

"We have two light rail projects, one which has been costed in line with industry estimates, the other which exceeds industry estimates by $30-$40 million per kilometres," says Mr Nye.

"With such a discrepancy, I have grave doubts as to the accuracy of the ACT costs and urge the ACT Government to release its calculations in full."

Read the full Canberra Times article here.
and another CT article with ACT Greens input here

In the article, Mr Nye, Chair of the ARA states that:

• The O'Farrell Government has costed its six kilometre, inner-west Sydney light rail expansion at $176 million which works out at $29 million per kilometre, less than half the ACT Government's estimate of $66 million per kilometre.
• Despite having to navigate through a significantly more congested urban environment, the Sydney Light Rail expansion will cost less than half that of the Canberra light rail proposal.
• The ACT government's estimates would make Canberra's light rail line one of the most expensive lines in the world on a per kilometre basis.
• We have two light rail projects, one which has been costed in line with industry estimates (at $20-$40 million per kilometre), the other which exceeds industry estimates by $30-$40 million per kilometres. 
• With such a discrepancy, I have grave doubts as to the accuracy of the ACT costs and urge the ACT Government to release its calculations in full.