Premier Morris Iemma and his deputy, John Watkins, were forced on to the back foot yesterday by revelations CityRail had buried an expert report that gave Sydney’s rail system failing grades on reliability, economy and efficiency.

The report, revealed in The Daily Telegraph, found CityRail trains travelled an average of 32km before falling behind timetable, compared with 396km in Hong Kong.

He said the Sydney network had about 2000km of track while Moscow, for example, had 200km, and that Sydney had 300 stations while Hong Kong had only 56.

NSW DECIDES

COMMUTER anger fuelled by claims of a cover-up of key failings in Sydney’s train system looms as the last hope for the Coalition to dent Labor’s majority at Saturday’s NSW election.

Premier Morris Iemma and his deputy, John Watkins, were forced on to the back foot yesterday by revelations CityRail had buried an expert report that gave Sydney’s rail system failing grades on reliability, economy and efficiency.

The report, revealed in The Daily Telegraph, found CityRail trains travelled an average of 32km before falling behind timetable, compared with 396km in Hong Kong.

It found CityRail’s operating costs, at $6.70 per passenger, were nearly seven times those in Europe and nearly 10 times those in Asia.

The revelations came a week after the breakdown of a peak-hour train on the Sydney Harbour Bridge caused meltdown across the system and trapped hundreds of passengers on trains for hours.

Mr Watkins, who has served as Transport Minister and Police Minister since last October, said he did not agree that Sydney’s trains were the worst in the world but recognised there were improvements to be made on a system which carries a million passengers every day.

“Our rail system is very different to rail systems around the world,” Mr Watkins said.

“There are major improvements to be made. I have tried to improve our daily service.

“Transport was always going to be an issue in this election. Anyone who thought otherwise is crazy.”

Mr Iemma promised a return to having a minister devoted solely to transport if he wins the election, but rejected the comparisons in the report as invalid.

He said the Sydney network had about 2000km of track while Moscow, for example, had 200km, and that Sydney had 300 stations while Hong Kong had only 56.

“However, the Government has heard the message loud and clear, that the people do want their services improved and expanded, and rail is the Government’s No1 priority.”

Opposition transport spokeswoman Gladys Berejiklian said the report proved Sydney’s rail system was “broken and needs fixing”.

“The NSW Liberal/Nationals want a chance to fix the problems on our rail network; under Labor things simply don’t get fixed,” she said.

“When our trains are being outperformed by Santiago, Chile, Bangkok and Moscow, then you know the Labor Government has failed the people of NSW.”

Public transport, especially trains, has traditionally been the No1 issue in Sydney during state election campaigns.

However, until last Wednesday’s breakdown, the issue had been quiet, despite Opposition Leader Peter Debnam largely eschewing his government car to ride with commuters.

Mr Debnam has promised to spend $450million on station upgrades, more trains at peak times and a fare freeze until services improve.