Hundreds gather at Light Rail Ready open day as ACT’s first ever Rail Safety Week takes off

ACT Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris launched the ACT’s first-ever Rail Safety Week event. Photos: George Tsotsos

Hundreds of Canberrans flocked to the Gungahlin town centre on Sunday morning (12 August) to catch a glimpse of Canberra’s red new form of transport at the Light Rail Ready open day.

The event, which marked the start of the ACT’s first Rail Safety Week, gave locals the opportunity to see a light rail vehicle up close and participate in fun rail safety activities.

ACT Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris said the week dedicated to Canberra’s newest form of transport was a perfect opportunity to increase education and awareness around track safety.

“This week is an opportunity to talk to Canberrans about how to stay safe around the rail,” she said. “Please obey all signs and road rules and also make sure you are paying attention around light rail vehicles because they are very quiet.”

Ms Fitzharris chats to locals about track safety during the open day.

The light rail vehicles have been tested in the middle of the night since June but starting Monday (13 August), locals will be able to see the vehicles tested along the tracks for the first time ever during the day.

Ms Fitzharris said the start of daytime testing meant people needed to stay aware around the tracks, with the shiny red vehicles able to travel up to 70 kilometres per hour.

Canberra Metro chief executive Glenn Stockton said the chance for Canberrans to see the size of the vehicles during the open day reinforced the need to stay safe around the tracks.

“This week is a great opportunity to get a sense of the size and scale of the vehicles themselves and to start understanding the messages we are trying to put forward: how to stay safe around the vehicles and most importantly awareness,” he said.

Ms Fitzharris and Canberra Metro chief executive Glenn Stockton launched the ACT’s first Rail Safety Week.