Sydney light rail drivers to strike

Sydney light rail drivers will go on strike over concern that overcrowded carriages and increased driver shifts are putting commuters at serious risk.

Drivers are stretched to the limit and will stop work from 10am to 2pm on Thursday amid calls for private operator Transdev to address safety concerns, says the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU).

"The company is not only refusing to deal with existing safety concerns as part of current negotiations, but it is now also attempting to increase driver shift limits - a move which will also have a severe impact on worker and passenger safety," RTBU Tram and Bus Divisional president Dave Woollams said in a statement.