Why you DON’T want to catch a train tomorrow: Public transport chaos in Sydney as transport workers go on strike – here’s how it will affect you
- Sydney commuters urged to avoid unnecessary train travel on Wednesday
- More than two-thirds of train fleet won’t be in operation during 24 hour rail strike
- Sydney Trains boss advised everyone to work from home to avoid lengthy delays
Rail bosses have issued a desperate plea for Sydney commuters to work from home on Wednesday as the long-running industrial dispute continues to create chaos and lengthy delays.
More than two-thirds of the city’s train fleet won’t be in operation on Wednesday after rail and union officials failed to reach a resolution during a full day of negotiations.
Services are expected to run to a half-hourly frequency during the 24-hour strike, while all trains on the T5 Cumberland and T7 Olympic Park lines will be cancelled.
Limited rail replacement buses will operate during the morning peak, with getting students to school the main priority.
As frustrated passengers faced lengthy delays across the network on Tuesday morning, Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland warned commuters should ‘absolutely’ stay at home on Wednesday.
Sydneysiders are urged to work from home on Wednesday during a 24-hour rail strike
‘That is our strong advice, avoid all unnecessary travel and leave the capacity available on trains to those who really need it,’ he told 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham.
‘If you’re able to work from home or avoid the trip on the train tomorrow, that would be my best advice.’
The warning comes after more than 30 services were cancelled during Tuesday’s morning peak, promoting one fed up commuter to walk an hour back home.
The T2 Inner West and Leppington, T3 Bankstown and T8 Airport and South lines were the worst affected routes as commuters were warned to allow for extra travel time.
The delays were hours after hundreds of passengers suffered a nightmare commute home on Monday night.
‘The timetable is operating as normal today but we’ve seen trains not taken into service as a result of this industrial action,’ Mr Longland said.
‘We expect that will create gaps in the frequency during the day today, as it did yesterday and the day before that. This is an ongoing issue.’
Commuters planning to catch the train to work on Wednesday are warned to expect limited services and lengthy delays
Services are expected to run to a half hourly frequency during the 24 hour strike on Wednesday (pictured, commuters during a recent strike)
The chaos comes after the Rail, Tram and Bus Union rejected an offer from the NSW government to call off the strike and branded the offer ‘a stunt’.
In a letter on Sunday, the government withdrew its requirement that a new enterprise agreement for rail workers be finalised before it begins modifications on the new Intercity Fleet.
The government’s demands an agreement be locked in before the modifications begin has been a sticking point in the long running negotiations.
‘It doesn’t actually add anything new to this negotiation,’ RTBU NSW secretary Alex Claassens said on Tuesday.
‘It was purely used to generate another headline for the government.’
Transport Minister David Elliott denied claims the offer was a stunt.
‘It’s exactly what the rail union asked for,’ he said
‘Just take the deed … we’ve given you what you wanted.’
Sydney Trains bosses have warned commuters should ‘absolutely’ stay at home and avoid unneccesary travel