More than 50 trains have been cancelled while more services were delayed as the rail network was thrown into chaos amid an ongoing pay dispute between the Rail, Tram & Bus Union and the NSW government.
More than 50 trains were cancelled on Wednesday morning, with the T1-9, Blue Mountains Line, Central Coast and Newcastle Line, South Coast Line, Southern Highlands Line and Hunter Line affected by industrial action.
Other services face major delays as crews have slowed trains by 23km/h less in areas of track that are 80km/h or higher.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RBTU) demanded a 32 per cent pay rise across four years for its members.
More than 50 train services were cancelled on Wednesday morning. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper
Commuters were warned “some information regarding (their) train trip may be incorrect on Transport Apps, Information Screens and Automated Announcements due to protected industrial action”.
“Allow extra travel time and consider using all your transport options.”
Transport NSW also said people may need to change services and warned of the potential for “increased crowding”.
“Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink apologise for the disruption, and thank commuters for their understanding as staff work to minimise the impacts of this industrial action,” the alert stated.
⚠️ Some information regarding your train trip may be incorrect on Transport Apps, Information Screens and Automated Announcements due to protected industrial action.
Allow extra travel time and consider using all your transport options. pic.twitter.com/bJmzvLrA0g
— Sydney Trains & NSW TrainLink Info (@TrainsInfo) January 14, 2025
The chaos comes after Transport Minister Jo Haylen on Tuesday revealed the state government was offering a 15 per cent pay rise – including a 1 per cent increase in super – over four years in the latest offer to the union.
Ms Haylen said the pay offer, which also includes an additional one per cent pay rise from mutual gains bargaining, was made possible due to an agreement to merge Sydney and NSW Trains over the next four years.
Workers have had their pay docked as a result of the industrial action, with Ms Haylen and Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland earlier defending the decision.
“What we’re talking about here are partial work bans, so staff that do part of their job, but not the other part … Our approach is that we will no longer accept partial work from our staff,” Mr Longland said.
“For staff that are coming to work, we expect them to undertake their normal duties, or they won’t be coming to work and they won’t be paid.”
Data released by Transport for NSW revealed an average of 77 per cent of trains arrived on time while punctuality hadn’t tipped past the target of 92 per cent since January 2024, according to The Daily Telegraph.