‘Punishing’: Small businesses suffered, commuters missed work as trains cancelled across Sydney

Small businesses are suffering, and commuters are fuming over the unanticipated last-minute train cancellations across Sydney today.

Small businesses in Sydney suffered another financial blow with dried up business and staff missing work after trains were cancelled across the state’s rail network today.

Having already suffered from staff shortages and rising food costs, street side cafes had to deal with a severe loss of commuter foot traffic and vital business due to the lack of trains.

Owner of Joe Black Cafe said the pressure on small businesses in the city was already immense and having trains cancelled was a “triple whammy”.

“It’s the cost of food, cost of living and now strikes. It’s punishing small businesses in hospitality because we can’t get enough staff already,” the owner, who chose to withhold his name, said.

“Office workers were delayed, and the venue has some customers locally around the hotels. They’re coming out and wanting to have breaky … because of the train strike, people can’t. They can’t get to work on time.”

View of the entrance to Town Hall Station in the QVB as the rail strike causes havoc today. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“It’s crucifying the small businesses that are already suffering.”

The owner said if there were still no trains tomorrow, he would have no choice but to close his doors until things get back to normal.

“It would impact everybody. We’d shut the doors,” he said.

“I trust that the government is going to do well but we’re holding our last straw.”

Simon Dang of Eggshell Cafe noticed the streets outside were quieter than usual this morning.

One of his staff members didn’t come into work due to the trains being cancelled, leaving him even more short staffed than usual.

Simon Dang who runs Egg Shell Cafe in Macquarie Street said his cafe has been impacted by the train strike. John Feder/The Daily Telegraph.

“We’ve had less customers (and) my barista didn’t show up today because of the strike,” Mr Dang said.

“(When) people know there’s no trains, they’ll work from home. It’s bad for business.

“There’s only been about three orders of hot food. There’s usually 15 to 20 (for lunch).

“Since the border was locked down, it’s been hard (finding staff).”

Staff at Hills Bros cafe in Martin Place also noticed the usual commuter foot traffic had dried up this morning.

Lisanti and Willy at Hils Bros cafe in Martin Place. John Feder/The Daily Telegraph.

One of their front of house workers lives far away and relies on the trains to get to work – often travelling about two hours – and wasn’t able to get there this morning.

Owner Daniele Giuliano says the greatest impact on his business was the lack of customers.

“The major impact on my business has been people not coming into work,” Mr Giuliano said.

“Last week I was only 9% full and I expect the exact same this week.”

When asked whether the rising business and food related expenses would lead him to increase prices of food and coffee, Mr Giuliano said it wasn’t a feasible option.

“Not really. I have a lot of competitors, if I increase my prices, it might lead my customers to competitors,” he said.

“I can’t increase.”

The lack of trains also affected commuters and people reliant on transport services.

Mark and Doris Wood had no idea the trains were cancelled today and turned up at Lidcombe station at around 11am to make their way out to Parramatta for an important ear specialist appointment.

Mark and Doris Wood at Lidcombe train station after NSW trains called a snap strike leaving commuters stranded. Picture: John Feder

He said he had no other way of making his way out west to get to the appointment on time and would have to reschedule for another day.

Mark also said that he didn’t think strikes were a good way to incite change within the industry, believing they do more damage to everyday people.

“I don’t believe strikes do any good for anything. I think you’ve got to talk to this government and reason with them,” he said.

“It’s not good. I don’t think they (strikes) solve the problem. It says you don’t care about the people.”

Doris Wood also agreed that the strikes were “a bit upsetting”.

“If they (the trains) stop, we stop,” she said.

“We can’t do anything about it.”

Commuters waiting for buses at Wynyard Station as the rail strike causes havoc today. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Meanwhile, a smooth run out of the CBD suggests commuters must have turned around to work from home this morning or left before peak hour with “standard traffic” reported on Monday afternoon.

This comes after Sydney’s busiest motorways were backed up this morning – with cars sitting bumper to bumper – following a surprise strike.

Commuters lining up for the tram near Wynyard Station as the rail strike causes havoc. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

The sudden shutdown of Sydney’s train network that stranded hundreds of thousands of commuters on their morning commute caused traffic to back up 22km on the M2 motorway.

There was also gridlock on Victoria Road, the M5 and Hume Highway.

“At the moment we are not seeing a spike in heavy traffic like we saw this morning, traffic volumes are pretty standard for a Monday afternoon peak. But we are monitoring the situation,” a NSW Transport spokeswoman said.

“There is an earlier truck crash on the M7 off ramp towards Wallgrove Rd which remains closed southbound and is creating heavy traffic conditions on the M7.”