Costa served as Transport Services Minister from 2 April 2003 until 21 January 2005. He was also appointed as Minister for the Hunter, Minister Assisting the Minister for Natural Resources and Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development. The Transport portfolio was controversial during this time, mainly due to rail line closures and the train driver dispute. Costa ordered the closure of the Murwillumbah line in April 2004 and the near-closure of part of the Newcastle line. In 2004, train reliability was further affected by a train driver dispute. This mainly stemmed from a "shortage of fit drivers and an unauthorised overtime ban" by drivers. Journalist Miranda Devine said that: