SYDNEY light rail drivers voted unanimously to step away from the wheel for 24 hours tonight over serious safety concerns.

The drivers stopped work for four hours on Thursday; however Rail, Tram and Bus Union Tram and Bus divisional president Dave Woollams said they were forced to take further action after Transdev, the company that runs Sydney’s light rail, refused to take their concerns seriously after nine months of negotiations.

media_camera The union says there are serious safety concerns for passengers and staff. Picture: Craig Wilson

“The safety of commuters is already being put at serious risk by dangerously crowded carriages and unrealistic passenger turnaround times, and now the company also wants to increase driver shift limits and decrease their breaks as part of the current enterprise agreement negotiations,” he said.

“Having to work longer shifts on top of all the current concerns is a serious fatigue issue. Commuters deserve to know the person responsible for getting them from A to B isn’t battling with fatigue.”

The 24-hour strike follows a uniform-free day and the recent four-hour stoppage.

Mr Woollams said Transdev had put two last minute offers to drivers, but they were rejected due to safety concerns.

“The union has since gone back to the company with a counter offer, but is yet to receive an adequate response from the company,” he said.

“We’re hopeful that Transdev will agree to listen to drivers’ concerns and come back to the negotiating table.

“Drivers don’t want this protected action to impact on commuters, but their safety and the safety of passengers is too important to ignore.”

Buses will replace the Inner West Light Rail services between Central and Dulwich Hill from midnight tonight.

Transdev Sydney managing director Brian Brennan said he was disappointed the RTBU had taken a position that any aspect of Transdev operations were unsafe to staff or customers.

“The RTBU has only just raised the supposed safety issues in the media after eight to nine months of EBA negotiations,” he said.

Alternative public transport routes can be found by visiting transportnsw.info or calling 131 500.