Macarthur region commuters are frustrated that unairconditioned trains are still being used even in the current heatwave

Macarthur region residents travelling to and from the city to work each morning have been left frustrated by sweltering conditions on older trains in the Sydney Trains fleet.

Macarthur area commuters are frustrated at still being stuck on old trains during Sydney’s sweltering heatwave.

Macarthur region residents travelling to and from the city to work each morning have been left frustrated by sweltering conditions on older trains in the Sydney Trains fleet.

Elderslie resident Rob Elliott’s wife Rachel travels to and from the city each morning from Campbelltown station.

Mr Elliot said the current heatwave sweeping the city left commuters stuck on the trains in severe discomfort.

“It happens from time to time especially in the afternoons, they put on the old silver trains, it’s like sitting in a sauna,” he said.

“If you talk to other people on the train they say why is it that the hottest areas of Sydney get these trains?

“We complain about people who lock up children and dogs in cars so why is it acceptable that people are in these trains?

Commuters jump on board one of the newer trains.

“My wife said that if you look around the train you can see it on people’s faces. They are visibly struggling.

“What if an elderly person was on one of these trains? I couldn’t imagine what could happen.”

Mr Elliot said he understood local politicians had made representations to have the trains replaced but said in the end the responsibility was with Sydney Trains

“It comes down to Sydney Trains management,” he said.

“They’re sitting in their air-conditioned offices and don’t understand what it’s like on these trains and sending them out to Campbelltown and Penrith which are the hottest parts of Sydney.”

Camden resident Rachel Walker travels to work in the Sydney CBD from Campbelltown Station and said aside from the heat, the trains tended to attract some unwanted morning commuters in the form of bugs and spiders.

“The bugs and spiders generally occur two or three times a week on the train, more common in the mornings,” she said.

“I believe they are coming in to cool down and I haven’t seen them on the newer trains.

“I try to ignore them, however at times it is a little scary especially on a peak hour train where there is no room for movement.”

Campbelltown state Labor MP Greg Warren said he had made numerous representations to NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance on the issue and empathised with commuters.

“I use the trains myself regularly and just last week got caught on one of these sweatboxes,” he said.

Campbelltown state Labor MP Greg Warren (left) at Campbelltown Station discussing opal card fee increases with then-NSW Shadow Transport Minister Ryan Park last year.

“People speak to me on the train all the time about this problem. Ultimately Campbelltown is not getting its fair share.

“We deserve more than a sweltering unairconditioned tin that the Baird government promised to replace in 2011.

“I’m doing all that I can to address the issue, we deserve the same services as Mike Baird does on the North Shore lines.”

A Sydney Trains spokesman said the state government would invest $1.5 billion over the next three years in extra services, better infrastrucutre and new trains across the rail network.

“As part of this program 24 Waratah style trains have been ordered to replace the remaining 24 S-Set (old silver) trains operating on the Sydney Rail network. As it stands, around 97 per cent of Sydney Trains fleet is air-conditioned,” he said.

“The S-Sets are not allocated to any specific line, instead they are primarily used as standby to support fleet upgrades.”