Newcastle Transport has released CCTV footage showing a series of dangerous near-misses involving pedestrians, motorists and light rail vehicles across Newcastle, prompting renewed safety warnings as Rail Safety Week begins. The footage was released on 10 August 2026 and covers incidents recorded during the past 12 months across Newcastle's light rail network.

The warning focuses on the significant difference between trams and ordinary road vehicles. Newcastle Transport says each light rail vehicle weighs about 50 tonnes and cannot stop as quickly as a car or suddenly move out of the way when someone enters its path. The operator is urging pedestrians and motorists to remain alert around tracks and designated crossings.

The Newcastle light rail network opened in February 2019 and runs for approximately 2.7 kilometres between Newcastle Interchange and Newcastle Beach, with six stops along the route. Trams operate at speeds of up to 40km/h along Hunter and Scott streets. While much of the route uses dedicated tram tracks, there are sections of Scott Street where trams and vehicles share the road.

According to Newcastle Transport, some of the near-misses occurred when people crossed directly in front of moving trams or entered the tracks without properly checking their surroundings. The operator said these incidents remain a concern even though Newcastle's light rail system has now been operating for more than seven years.

Sudden braking is also a safety concern for passengers inside the tram. A light rail vehicle has 60 seats and space for up to 216 standing passengers. When a driver has to brake sharply to avoid a person or vehicle, passengers who are standing can lose their balance and fall.

Newcastle Transport is therefore asking passengers to hold onto straps or handrails whenever they are standing. People waiting on platforms have also been advised to remain behind the white safety line and avoid rushing toward a tram when its doors are closing.

Pedestrians are being encouraged to use designated crossings and avoid distractions such as mobile phones and headphones when approaching the tracks. Motorists are also being reminded to check carefully before crossing or entering areas where trams operate.

The safety campaign forms part of Rail Safety Week, running from 10 to 16 August 2026. Newcastle Transport released the CCTV footage as part of the campaign to demonstrate the real-world risks faced by tram drivers, passengers and other road users.

National figures from the Track SAFE Foundation, based on data from Australia's rail safety regulator, show that light rail incidents resulted in 12 fatalities and 1,025 injuries across Australian networks between 2016 and 2025. Newcastle Transport says the figures underline the importance of preventing near-misses before they become serious crashes.

Keolis Hunter general manager Arsene Durand-Raucher said tram drivers do everything possible to prevent collisions but need pedestrians and motorists to play their part. Drivers can face particularly stressful situations during busy periods when people rush across roads or enter tracks unexpectedly.

For Newcastle, the campaign highlights an ongoing challenge created by the city's shared road and light rail environment. As the network continues to carry passengers through the CBD, safe interaction between trams, vehicles and pedestrians remains essential.

The release of the footage is intended to make people more aware of the risks and encourage safer behaviour around the network. Newcastle Transport is asking everyone to slow down, stay alert and follow designated crossing and platform rules.