Sydney trains punctuality targets: New data shows, as Union presses ahead with strike action

As disruptive strike action begins, new data from Transport for NSW reveals Sydney trains have not met monthly punctuality targets since January 2024.

Sydney trains have missed punctuality targets every month since January 2024, new data reveals, as rail unions vow to press ahead with even more disruptive strike ­action from Wednesday despite being ­offered a pay rise by the state government.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen yesterday revealed that the government had offered the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) a 15 per cent pay boost over four years, including a lift to superannuation.

But the RTBU – which wants a 32 per cent pay rise – said its members would continue with plans for a 23km/h go-slow on a number of lines across NSW from today.

The actions are expected to intensify towards the end of the week, with Transport for NSW yesterday warning of “significant delays”.

The Daily Telegraph understands that the government first put the 15 per cent pay deal on the table in November. Ms Haylen yesterday sought to bypass RTBU leadership by putting the offer directly to its members.

“This is the first time in the process that we have made clear to the entire rail workforce the government’s approach and the government’s offer,” Ms Haylen said, adding that the offer “represents a real increase to take-home pay for our rail workers”.

Commuters at central station as a proposed train dispute rolls out this week. Picture: Jeremy Piper

It comes as new data released by Transport for NSW showed monthly punctuality of trains has not climbed above 92 per cent – which is its target – since January 2024.

In November, only 76.9 per cent of trains arrived on time on average, the lowest average monthly rate since March 2022.

Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland warned that industrial action planned for coming days would exacerbate the delays.

“Expect that later this week that there will be an increased number of cancellations,” he said. “We will continue to run a normal timetable across the rail network, but we’re asking everyone to allow additional time when they travel.”

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said trains were “already late for commuters” and that today’s go-slow order was a “new low”.

“Continuing with this industrial action hits a new low,” he said. “People getting to work will be impacted. What about those travelling from the Illawarra, Newcastle or the Blue Mountains, or those in Sydney with vital medical appointments booked months in advance at great expense? Missing these appointments isn’t just inconvenient – it’s devastating.”

Commuters at central station as a proposed train dispute rolls out this week. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Western Sydney residents fared worst in the new Transport for NSW data, with the T1 Western and North Shore line from Emu Plains at the foot of the Blue Mountains through to Berowra experiencing the most delays, followed by trains on the T9 Northern line which runs between Normanhurst and Gordon through Ryde.

RTBU secretary Toby ­Warnes yesterday said the union was aware of the pay offer, but said he was still waiting for a “draft offer” from government negotiators.

Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said: “The rolling rail dispute is tough for all employees trying to get to their jobs, but it is particularly cruel for essential workers who can’t afford to live in Sydney and must commute from the Blue Mountains, The Central Coast and the Illawarra.”

Sierra Humble said train delays and cancellations often disrupted her work commute on the T9 Northern line.

Sierra Humble and Luciana Andrijic waiting for a train at Central Station, Sydney. Photographer: Ted Lamb

The waitress and bartender spends 90 minutes getting to work and said the abrupt schedule delays and service cancellations were difficult to keep up with.

“It’s very late notice, I find. It’ll be coming, on the way, and then I’ll see it’s cancelled,” the 18-year-old said.

“Plan B? Uber – and it’s like 30 bucks. Not convenient.”

Retail worker Jasmine Wells travels frequently from Lindfield to Chatswood and then into the city for work, but has often been forced to get her parents to drop her off instead. “There’s this one train to get to work on time and a lot of the time it gets cancelled,” she said