Fare Free days still on the table for Sydney trains as industrial action avoided

Train services will run unhindered on Friday after an agreement was struck between the government and union.

Train services will run unhindered on Friday after an agreement was struck between the government and union, as the prospect of fare free travel for commuters impacted by last month’s total rail shutdown remains on the table.

Transport Minister David Elliott said the industrial action scheduled for Friday has been called off amid ongoing negotiations with the union.

“I have reached an agreement with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union today to ensure the planned industrial action relating to Fare Free Fridays, scheduled to commence tomorrow, will not go ahead,” he said on Thursday night.

Commuters linger at Central Station during the train strikes in February. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Sydney commuters have been plagued with ongoing strikes and industrial action. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Mr Elliott last week said he was open to making train travel free on Fridays after the RTBU threatened further industrial action if fare free travel wasn’t offered to commuters to make up for the government shutting down the entire rail network last month.

“I will continue to work with the RTBU to activate a proposal that will benefit the people of NSW in the weeks ahead. The union and I are committed to offering Fare Free Days that see commuters, their families and small businesses get the most economic benefit from public events,” he said.

Mr Elliott said he looked forward to negotiating with the RTBU “in good faith” in the next six weeks as a new Enterprise Agreement is hammered out.

The RTBU was contacted for comment.