The last bit of red tape: A hiccup as Sydney’s $3BILLION light rail makes its inaugural trip

Sydney’s $3BILLION light rail is finally opened to the public – but the cursed project is hit with another hiccup as a tram goes down the WRONG line

  • Sydney’s light rail from Circular Quay to Randwick officially opened Saturday 
  • The highly anticipated network has been plagued by setbacks and bungles 
  • Construction began in October 2015 and it was expected to open by March 2019 
  • The initial $1.6billion budget was blown out to $2.9billion by the project’s end 
  • On Saturday, the tram reportedly went down the wrong line due to ‘driver error’

Sydney’s long-awaited $3 billion light rail has finally opened its doors to the public – but many of them found they were being taken the wrong way on Saturday.

The NSW state government has blamed ‘driver error’ after passengers keen to get a look at the cursed project were ‘jolted’ near Randwick. 

A Nine News reporter tweeted that the tram broke hard and then reversed – as it was headed down the wrong line.   

Earlier, Premier Gladys Berejiklian struggled to cut the ribbon on the delayed and over-budget project, needing a little help from a few young train enthusiasts in the crowd.  

Meanwhile, the Australian Turf Club at Randwick tweeted advice to those attending Saturday’s races that they should use free buses between Randwick and the city.  

Sydney’s long-awaited $3 billion light rail has finally opened on Saturday morning with a few last hiccups (pictured Gladys Berejiklian and Andrew Constance at the ribbon cutting) 

Premier Gladys Berejiklian struggled to cut the ribbon on the delayed and over-budget project needing a little help from a few young train enthusiasts in the crowd

Premier Gladys Berejiklian struggled to cut the ribbon on the delayed and over-budget project needing a little help from a few young train enthusiasts in the crowd 

The light rail officially opened on Saturday morning carrying its first passengers through the Sydney CBD (pictured are Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance)

The light rail officially opened on Saturday morning carrying its first passengers through the Sydney CBD (pictured are Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance) 

Hundreds of staff were on hand as the first passengers boarded the new trams on their maiden voyages. 

The light rail line runs from Circular Quay to Randwick through one of the city’s busiest boulevard’s George Street. 

The project marks the first time in six decades train have operated on the thoroughfare.   

There have been concerns voiced over public safety with the modern trams operating quietly and pedestrians being able to freely walk across tracks. 

Fares will not be charged during the opening weekend of the $2.9billion project, however donations can be made to Rural Aid to help those affected by the drought. 

The trams were meant to start running in March and were supposed to cost $1.6billion. 

A branch line to Kingsford and the University of New South Wales isn’t expected to open until early 2020.

Long lines formed as passengers waited to try out the new light rail

Long lines formed as passengers waited to try out the new light rail 

The opening of the light rail was attended by large crowds eager to test out the trams

The opening of the light rail was attended by large crowds eager to test out the trams 

Passengers braved the crowds on Saturday as the new light rail trains made their first journeys

Passengers braved the crowds on Saturday as the new light rail trains made their first journeys 

 

Hundreds of staff were on hand as the first passengers boarded the new trams on their maiden voyages

Hundreds of staff were on hand as the first passengers boarded the new trams on their maiden voyages 

The project marks the first time in six decades train have operated on the thoroughfare

The project marks the first time in six decades train have operated on the thoroughfare 

Transport Minister Andrew Constance, Mayor Clover Moore, and Premier Gladys Berejiklian on one of the tram's first journeys through the city

Transport Minister Andrew Constance, Mayor Clover Moore, and Premier Gladys Berejiklian on one of the tram’s first journeys through the city 

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