Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland has stated that intercity train delays during the impending industrial action could be unpredictable, depending on how individual staff members interpret and carry out the strike. Transport for NSW is preparing emergency buses for commuters, although capacity will be limited, and it is not yet clear what these services will look like. In addition to more frequent light rail services between 7am and 7pm on Saturday, ride-sharing services Uber and Didi have confirmed that they will limit surge pricing during the industrial action. Passengers traveling to Olympic Park for the Pearl Jam concert on Thursday night will be serviced by special event trains, and a major event bus plan is also in development for Saturday.
The metro service will be affected by the industrial action, with services between Chatswood and Sydenham not running from 2am on Saturday until 2am on Monday due to scheduled maintenance. During this time, services will only operate between Tallawong and Chatswood. However, metro services will not be impacted on Thursday and Friday, running every four minutes until 8pm on Friday and then shifting to services every eight minutes until the scheduled maintenance period begins. Commuters are urged to plan ahead and make alternative travel arrangements as demand for other public transport networks, including buses, ferries, and light rail, is expected to surge.
The industrial action has been initiated by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and five other unions, who have been negotiating with the government for the past six months over pay and work conditions. The unions have rejected an offer of an 11 percent pay rise over three years from the government and are demanding a 32 percent increase over four years, as well as the implementation of 24-hour train services. Despite multiple bargaining meetings and negotiations, a resolution has not yet been reached, leading to the upcoming rail shutdown. Transport Minister Jo Haylen has the option of taking the union to the Fair Work Commission to rule the strike action unlawful, but she is currently focused on negotiating a resolution with the unions.
The ongoing dispute between Sydney Trains representatives and the RTBU has escalated, with the industrial action set to have a significant impact on commuters. The government has warned passengers to expect disruptions and delays, recommending that they plan their journeys ahead of time and explore alternative transport options. Information about the strike is available through warning signs across the train network, transport apps, and information pages. Negotiations between the government and the unions are ongoing, with talks expected to resume on Thursday in an effort to find a resolution and prevent further disruptions to the public transport system. Sign up for The Morning Edition newsletter to stay informed about the latest developments and insights on this issue and other important stories of the day.
