The L2 Randwick and L3 Juniors Kingsford light rail lines were suspended this morning, an alert from a NSW government-endorsed app said amid media reports of a tram catching fire.
A fire broke out on the roof of a light rail vehicle near Central Chalmers Street stop in the morning at around 8:20 a.m., a Transdev spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Gamamari.
No customers or staff were injured in the incident, per the spokesperson. They did not provide a cause for the fire.
“Given recent similar events, services on the L2 and L3 lines were temporarily suspended as a precaution, to allow us to complete a thorough risk assessment. The inspection confirmed that the necessary precautionary safety controls are in place to manage the risks and support the safe resumption of services,” the spokesperson said.
The L2 and L3 lines were reopened at about 1:00 p.m., the statement added, but the frequency of services were reduced on both lines.
“Due to an earlier electrical issue, L2/L3 light rail is temporarily running at a reduced frequency while services are being regulated,” a sign at the Randwick, UNSW Anzac Parade and High Street light rail stops read.
The Transit app encouraged commuters to use alternative transport to the light rail including buses and replacement buses, train, metro and walking.
The suspension of the light rail forced commuters onto buses.
“The buses were very overcrowded so they would just go past you without stopping,” Madhumitha Shankar, a second-year UNSW student, told Gamamari. “I was two hours late to everything today. I was meant to reach university around 9:15 a.m. and I reached at around 11:00 a.m.”
Reports from Sky News and News Corp-owned News.com.au said that massive lines formed at Elizabeth Street and Eddy Avenue from where replacement buses ran.