Transportation & Infrastructure

Transport for NSW is weighing an appeal after a judge found it was liable to pay damages in a class action brought on behalf of small businesses over interference caused by the construction of Sydney’s $3 billion light rail network.

Uber and the applicants in class actions against the car service will head into mediation later this year, and only group members who sign up to join the cases will get a chance to share in the proceeds of any settlement that results from the talks.

The NSW government has been hit with a class action by Sydney Trains operations staff alleging a “systemic pattern” of underpayment and overwork.

A judge has found the state of NSW liable to compensate the lead plaintiffs in a class action brought on behalf of small businesses over the “substantial and unreasonable” interference caused by the construction of Sydney’s $3 billion light rail network, but he flagged “significant problems” in applying his findings to thousands of potential group members.

The applicants in competing class actions against Downer EDI have set out their proposals for the courts overseeing the cases, with two calling for orders staying the proceedings of their rivals, and another seeking consolidation.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has brought proceedings against carpark operator Secure Parking, claiming its duped customers in major cities with its misleading car reservation service.

In the latest skirmish over documents in two class actions, Uber has mostly won a bid to shield almost 150 documents on the grounds of privilege, with a judge finding the misconduct exception that has previously bedevilled the rideshare giant did not apply.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has expressed concerns that Transurban’s plan to acquire a majority stake in fellow toll road operator Horizon Roads will hinder competition for future toll road projects.

The Full Court has held a Sydney Trains driver who worked the morning after blowing over four times the legal limit is entitled to a rehearing, finding the Fair Work Commission failed to properly consider a section of its own founding legislation. 

Tech company Vehicle Management Systems has won a long-running patent infringement dispute with rival SARB over a sensor-based system the City of Melbourne uses for timing parked vehicles.