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.

The Greens uncover the $60 million dollar 'free buses'

The Greens have been doing some digging on how the ACT Government and its consultants URS artfully gave us a lowball $300 million BRT option - by not counting the buses or depots they neeeded for BRT. The Greens have found the real cost of BRT hidden in the 2012 Budget. That figure is $60 million dollars for new buses and a depot.

Read the Canberra Times article 'Light Rail costings queried' here

"The ACT Greens says the territory's 2012-13 budget debates shed more light on the ACT government's light rail efforts.

Greens transport spokesperson Amanda Bresnan said in the cost projections presented to the community, the government did not make a ''like for like'' comparison between bus rapid transit and light rail, because it excluded the capital costs for buses and bus depots.

The budget revealed the real capital expenses by allocating more than $60 million to the purchase of new buses and a new northside bus depot.

''We believe light rail is the transport system that would make the biggest and most lasting changes to Canberra's transport.''

The Greens and ARA have again asked to see all the data the government used to project the costs of light rail, and which it used to consult the community.

ACT Light Rail to speak at GCC Forum on 13 June 2012

Look for Alexander Bunyip and you have found the Gungahlin Library!

ACT Light Rail have been invited to speak at the Gungahlin Community Council public forum next Wednesday. Damien Haas, Chair of ACT Light Rail, will discuss the recent ACT Budget, the Gungahlin to Civic transport corridor and the future of light rail in the ACT.  

GCC Public Forum
7.30 PM
Wednesday 13 June 2012
Gungahlin Public Library - Meeting Rooms

ACT Light Rail are happy to talk to your community group.