‘Due to vandalism’: Train chaos as Matildas fans hit by delays getting home

Sydney Trains has blamed vandalism as the cause of delays on its network as tens of thousands of Matildas fans tried to make their way back home after the Australia’s semi-final loss to England.

At Sydney Olympic Park, more than 100,000 people – both Matildas fans and those who attended a Luke Combs concert at nearby Qudos Bank Arena – received the dreaded news about the train service home.

Transport chaos at Sydney Olympic Park rail station after the Women’s World Cup semi-final.Credit: Sophia Phan

“We have a slight glitch,” travellers were told just after 10pm.

A power supply issue affecting equipment at Ashfield meant train delays began almost immediately as people tried to make their way home.

About an hour later, Sydney Trains said the delays were caused by vandalism.

“Due to vandalism of equipment at Ashfield, some trains are running late, may have changed stops, and journey times may take longer,” it said on social media.

All trains to the city were diverted via the Bankstown Line, instead of going straight to Strathfield and then Redfern, adding about 20 to 30 minutes to each trip.

In a statement released on Thursday morning, Transport for NSW says it has “reported the incident to NSW Police, with investigations underway”.

“Specialist engineers were immediately deployed to rectify the issue and services were restored within approximately 90 minutes.”

Ride-share operators were alerted in a bid to help deal with the crowds but it took until midnight to clear the Olympic Park precinct.

‘Absolutely embarrassing’

Traveller Jacqui McGirr said she was still waiting at Sydney Olympic Park for options at 11.30pm on how to get home.

“Tourists from around the world and even other parts of Sydney don’t know what to do,” she said. “Absolutely embarrassing.”

One fan trying to get home about 11.30pm said an Uber from Lidcombe to Flemington, just one station away, would cost her $50. An Uber trip to Strathfield would cost $70.

Another fan who walked with many others to Concord West station said there were no trains, and station staff were not communicating the issues.

“Trains just keep being cancelled or are disappearing from the boards,” she said about 11.30pm.

As it neared midnight, Herald reporter Kishor Napiar-Raman said his group was seriously considering hiring a van via Uber carshare to get home after being put on a train that stopped at Lidcombe.

“It’s the only car available near Lidcombe where Ubers are also not arriving,” he said. “The one train to Central goes via Bankstown and is sardines.”

Jas Tumber, the executive director of rail operations at Transport for NSW, told 2GB earlier that 20 to 25 per cent of normal train services were still running.

He said there was a “party atmosphere” at Sydney Olympic Park station, and that technical issues at Ashfield station were not as simple as turning the system “on and off again”.

“This is a very complicated failure as far as I can see,” Tumber said.

“I know the Tillies lost tonight but there is a bit of a party atmosphere, and there’s still plenty to do around Olympic Park and the recommendation to fans is to maybe delay your travel during this period.”

Earlier in the day, urgent repairs on the network led to major delays and huge lines at both Redfern and Lidcombe stations.

The repairs resulted in an anxious wait for those trying to make it to Homebush by 8pm kick-off.

“Trains are still running frequently, but journey times will be longer,” Sydney Trains wrote on social media.

Fans turned away from packed live site

Back in the city, security stopped letting people in at the Matildas live site in Tumbalong Park at 6.27pm, sending patrons up to the ICC Sydney rooftop.

Tumbalong Park has been the most popular live site in Sydney throughout this tournament thanks to its FIFA fan festival, which boasts a chip-only McDonald’s stand, the FIFA museum and entertainment.

Wetherill Park friends Lisa Sherry and Belinda Stampetta arrived at 4pm to get a prime spot. Sherry said the pair played Uno and did face painting to pass the time.

“I’ve been coming here for all of them. It’s good to see the Aussies get together after COVID; this is what we needed,” she said.

Matildas fans at Tumbalong Park on Wednesday.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Matilda Randall came here with a big group of friends, who sprinted here straight after the bell from International Grammar School at 4pm. “We knew it was going to have a great atmosphere,” she said.

Several fans at Tumbalong Park were spotted jumping the fence near the restrooms.

At Federation Square, Melbourne’s main fan site, groups of football fans blocked from entering broke down barriers to push past security and into the city centre.

Police were called in to support security guards and the barriers were reinstated.

Crowds gather at Federation Square to watch the Matilda’s play England in the World Cup.Credit: Joe Armao

Organisers reminded the thousands of people gathered at Fed Square that this is “a family-friendly event”.

In Sydney, Matildas fan Churia Alattas said she drove to Tumbalong Park to watch the game, even though she lives in Sydney Olympic Park.

Her group planned to wait until everyone was gone from the park before starting their journey home.

“There’s no point of rushing. We’ll hardly get back in [to Homebush]. We are just going to stick around.”

With Alex Crowe, AAP

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