Sydney, regional train lines face major delays, cancellations as industrial action spirals

Thousands of rail commuters are facing significant disruptions and cancellations on three lines on Monday amid industrial action this week.

Cancellations and lengthy delays are affecting commuters on three major train lines as union strike action continues Sydney’s railway strife this week.

Passengers faced cancellations and delays of up to 30 minutes on the T2 Inner West and Leppington Line, T3 Bankstown Line and T8 Airport and South Line on Monday as train crews refuse to operate trains that don’t meet minimum standards.

Commuters will also have to contend with heavily reduced services on these lines and the Southern Highlands line from Wednesday.

It means from 10am train services on various Sydney and regional lines will be slashed for at least six hours, while a Rail, Tram and Bus Union ban on issuing fines on public transport will continue.

Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland and RTBU secretary Alex Claassens joined 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Monday morning to detail the public transport pain.

Commuters have faced railway strife several times this year.

“Similar to Friday, we’ve had 37 trains today (Monday) that train crew haven’t accepted into service,” Mr Longland said.

“So that is creating gaps, and it will continue … mainly in the west and southwest, so the T2, T8 and parts of the T1 line.”

Commuters across NSW are being told to brace for more train chaos. Picture: NewsWire/

RBTU boss Alex Claassens said he was “desperate” to prevent further disruptions.

“When this action was first proposed, we didn’t think it was going to be such a big issue. I was quite shocked to hear that so many of these trains don’t mean maintenance standards,” he said.

“There are a number of safety issues. We are desperate to get this stuff sorted.”

Mr Claassens confirmed strike action scheduled for this week would take place, despite discussions late last week with the government appearing positive.

Sydney Trains chief executive, Matt Longland, has asked commuters to avoid non-essential travel ahead of the planned disruptions. Picture: John Grainger

He signalled the situation would worsen next week, when more targeted strike action is scheduled.

“Next week will get even more difficult, given that we’ve got two days of industrial action,” Mr Claassens told The Daily Telegraph.

Sydney Trains chief executive, Matt Longland, warned commuters should expect delays and cancellations on Wednesday.

“We will be doing our best to maintain frequent services across the lines impacted by union action for commuters who really need to use the rail network, but we are asking commuters to avoid non-essential travel and consider other options,” he said.

“If you were planning on travelling to and from Sydney Airport, please allow for extra travel time or make alternative travel arrangements, if possible.

“If you are a parent of a child who normally catches a train on one of the impacted lines to get to school, please plan ahead and make alternative travel arrangements.”

Mr Claassens said the union was yet to receive a signed guarantee from the government that they would fix the New Intercity Fleet (NIF), which is at the centre of the long-running dispute between the government and the union which has resulted in industrial action blighting the city’s rail networks this year.

The NIF remains in storage, with the union refusing to operate it over safety concerns.

Industrial relations Minister Damien Tudehope last week, following negotiations, said it was “disappointing” that the union continued to “undertake disruptive strikes at a point when government has met them on their key demands and is finalising drafting for a new enterprise agreement”.

Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway last week confirmed the government had agreed to provide the unions with a commitment to modifications to the NIF in the form of a deed.

“This will be shared with the RTBU early next week for consideration and distribution to the membership. The deed remains contingent upon a new enterprise agreement being reached which will guarantee the end of further strikes,” Mr Farraway said.