NSW transport costs for private contractors, overtime, consultants – and even actors – have "blown out" at the same time public sector jobs are being cut, according to the Opposition.

Citing official NSW Treasury figures, Opposition spokesman for Transport Ryan Park said the cost of private consultants had increased from $10,860,000 in 2013-14 to $23,188,000 in 2015-16.



He said the money spent on contractors, budgeted at $114 million for 2014-15, blew out to $159 million.

The figures also showed that $552,000 was spent on overtime costs for transport workers in 2011-12. In 2014-15 the figure had grown to $100,968,000.

"This government needs to urgently address the amount of money it is spending on external consultants and examine why this work can't be carried out by either existing staff in the Transport portfolio or the hiring of new staff if necessary," Mr Park said.



"This is a huge increase in the amount of taxpayers money that is being used to pay for consultants and contractors whilst at the same time the government is looking at continuing to cut frontline staff at stations and security guards, both of which are designed to keep people safe and make using public transport easier".

In budget estimates on Tuesday, Labor MP Penny Sharpe also grilled the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance over what she said was a $500,000 contract taken out by Transport for NSW for the provision of actors.