Transport for NSW. Photo used with permission.
Around 300 students from six Western Sydney schools had a preview inside one of Parramatta’s new light rail vehicles last Friday.
It was a fun excursion with a serious safety message for the attendees from Parramatta North and Dundas public schools, Mother Teresa Primary, Arthur Philip High School, Parramatta Marist and Catherine McCauley.
Students had the chance to tour a light rail vehicle many of them will use to get around Parramatta when the passenger services kick off in the coming months. Some even previewing potential future careers, by chatting with drivers and learning about the equipment in the vehicles.
Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins was on site to help share key safety messages, reminding students to 'look up, watch out, trams are about'.
Light rail learning sessions were blended with fun, in the hope the students will become champions of light rail safety in the west, and will help spread the critical safety messages learned on the day through the community.
The schools’ event at the new Prince Alfred Square stop came ahead of testing, which ramped up last weekend along the line connecting Westmead and Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD.
The weekend saw up to six light rail vehicles being tested for the first time during the bump in for the NRL Eels v Roosters game at CommBank Stadium on Saturday 15 June.
Light rail vehicle testing is vital to ensure the safety and reliability of the system before passenger services can commence in the coming months.
View upcoming day and night work schedules here.