This Month
Eurostar cancels all train services after WWII bomb discovered
Travellers across Europe had their plans thrown into disarray after Eurostar halted all trains in and out of Paris due to a World War II bomb at Gare du Nord.
February
Sydney train strikes banned – at least until July
Rail unions have lost a crucial case in the Fair Work Commission, which suspended strikes to end public recriminations in the long-running pay dispute
Albanese says rail union alienating people of NSW
Chris Minns could ask federal Labor for intervention if NSW government fails to get Sydney Trains industrial action suspended
Aurizon revisits splitting rail network from haulage business
The group hasn’t previously accepted banker pitches to separate its rail business. But a share price and earnings slump has put the idea back on the table.
Essendon Fields Airport secures $15m investment
US-based aircraft manufacturer Textron will double the capacity at the airport; Chris Minns “not giving in” to union’s “blackmail”. How the day unfolded.
Sydney faces more train chaos after sick leave ruling
Fair Work Commission rejects NSW government bid to stop drivers taking sick leave, as rail unions continue a go-slow in long-running pay dispute
Sydney train chaos as union negotiations collapse
Sydney commuters told to delay non-urgent travel after negotiations collapsed over $4500 sign-on bonus demand.
Allan told to get SRL money into Melbourne’s west, or else
The controversial $100 billion Suburban Rail Loop was thrust back into the spotlight after Labor’s primary vote collapsed in the Werribee byelection.
Meet Perceval, the robot dog who could inspect Metro tracks in Sydney
Sydney’s new Western Sydney Airport metro line could use a robot to inspect the cleanliness of trains and check rail tracks for faults.
January
Greens promise $95b in new spending in one month
The minor party’s latest pitch is for Canberra to spend $8 billion over four years to underwrite 50¢ public transport fares, saving commuters about $2000 a year.
Sydney commuters win reprieve from industrial action
The NSW government sought an urgent hearing in the Fair Work Commission to end industrial action Premier Chris Minns says was “smashing the economy”.
Sydney train commuters face more delays amid mounting pay disputes
State government employees across the country have been pushing for significant pay rises to compensate for several years of high inflation.
December 2024
Pub baron welcomes deal to save Sydney’s New Year’s Eve
Pub baron Craig Laundy says commonsense has prevailed to end a rail strike threat to Sydney’s annual harbour fireworks worth $280 million to the economy.
Sydney’s New Year fireworks may be axed over train strike
NSW’s police commissioner says she fears for the safety of people who will gather on Sydney Harbour if they can’t use the rail network because of industrial action.
November 2024
Trump picks former wrestling CEO as education secretary
Donald Trump says Linda McMahon will fight “tirelessly” to expand universal school choice; Anthony Albanese agrees to renewable energy partnership with India at G20. How the day unfolded.
Major train network to grind to a halt in pay stand-off
A train network used daily by more than one million people in Sydney could be out of action for days because of industrial action, throwing the transport system into chaos.
Sydney Metro’s boss learnt from London’s ‘failed experiment’
Peter Regan found out the hard way how to strike a good public-private partnership for transport.
October 2024
Why $31 billion will not be enough to build Inland Rail
Australia’s grand plan to transport goods by rail from Melbourne to Brisbane in less than 24 hours is cutting corners to stay on track, say residents of one city on the route.
Aurizon investors impatient for Top End contracts
Aurizon is in “regular” talks with potential customers for its ambitious land bridge scheme, but scepticism abounds over whether it can pull the bold plan off.
September 2024
Victorian taxpayers to be slugged another $1b for Metro Tunnel
The cost of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel has blown out again, this time to $13.48 billion, with the state government blaming unprecedented cost overruns.