NSW folk, you have been warned: the state’s train network is shutting down for about 15 hours from this arvo onwards.
Sydney and its state has been having quite a time of it lately with travel disruptions. Several bus strikes took place over the past few weeks and now it’s the turn of the trains.
Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink Intercity services won’t operate tonight and early Tuesday morning due to action taken by Rail, Tram, and Bus Union members.
Starting at 3pm, thousands of services across the state will be cancelled. That will be followed by a complete absence of train services between 8pm and 4am on Tuesday. Train frequencies are expected to slow at the peak hour of 6pm, with Transport for NSW warning people could be left stranded if they don’t plan accordingly.
The silver lining is that replacement buses are being brought in free of charge but that might still not be enough. “You should consider driving where possible, working flexibly, using alternative transport modes including regular metro, buses or ferries services,” Transport for NSW said. “Be aware that taxis and rideshare are also expected to be in high demand,” the department added.
The travel disruptions are expected to linger into the remainder of there week, with many services being fully booked due to people travelling home for Christmas.
“This is significant disruption that means many regional and rural customers will not be able to travel, have a dislocated journey on road coaches or will need to make other plans,” NSW TrainLink Chief Executive Dale Merrick explained in a statement.
The new strike action comes just one week after RTBU members refused to drive foreign-built trains used on about 75 per cent of services.
For more on this topic, follow the Travel Observer.
Check out the 9News report on the Sydney train disruptions:
