Sydney commuters stranded as train network rocked by delays, power outages

Hundreds of commuters have been left stranded during the peak hour rush after a power outage halted Sydney’s train network.

Commuters have been left stranded at a busy Sydney train station ahead of peak hour as a power outage at Strathfield station in the city’s west brings multiple lines to a halt.

Those travelling on the T1, T2, T3 and T9 lines have been urged to allow plenty of time and look for alternative ways to get home.

Parts of a train’s rooftop power connecter became tangled with overhead powerlines, bringing the lines onto the track near Homebush just before 2.30pm on Tuesday.

Parts of a train’s rooftop power connecter became tangled with overhead powerlines, bringing the lines onto the track near Homebush just before 2.30pm on Tuesday.

There are train delays between Central and Homebush stations – affecting commuters looking to travel on the T1, T2, T3 and T9 lines – due to ‘overhead wiring issues’.

The train was brought to a stop with 300 passengers still on board, 9News reported.

It is understood passengers on the train – who have been sitting in place since 2.45pm – were finally let off just after 5pm.

Transport for NSW co-ordinator Howard Collins told reporters work was underway to isolate the power to the train so the passengers could be evacuated safely.

He emphasised the incident had nothing to do with maintenance issues.

#BREAKING: this train at Homebush that has its overhead wiring damaged. Its pantograph, where the train draws the power from the wiring, is caught in the overhead of the train. pic.twitter.com/KMHgecH8Be

— Anthony Segaert (@anthonysegaert) May 20, 2025

“The overhead wire is maintained to an extremely high standard, but like anything mechanical there is a reason to why this has happened,” he said.

“There’s nothing to do with a lack of maintenance.

“It is life threatening if you come very near or touch live wires with that amount of voltage. While there might be a lot of frustration from people out there … we need to be safe.”

Transport for NSW co-ordinator Howard Collins told reporters the incident had nothing to do with maintenance issues.

Workers are seen helping commuters get off the train

The wire is currently sitting on the roof of the train, Mr Collins confirmed.

“I’m sorry its taking so long, we need boots on the ground and we’re doing that now,” he said.

“Because it’s a complex area, it does take time. While it is not pleasant to be stuck on a train for a couple of hours, its much safer than being exposed to a risk that we don't want to put people through.

“We’ll obviously keep people informed as the incident unfolds over the next few hours.”

It is understood no trains are currently operating between Central and Homebush.

If you're travelling on @T1SydneyTrains#WesternLine & #NorthShoreLine, @T2SydneyTrains, @T3SydneyTrains and @T9SydneyTrains, please allow plenty of extra travel time or delay travel due to overhead power supply issues at Strathfield, and look at alternative ways to get home if… pic.twitter.com/WddidrfQw2

— Sydney Trains & NSW TrainLink Info (@TrainsInfo) May 20, 2025

There were large crowds at Central Station on Tuesday afternoon

A series of shuttle bus services are running in replacement of T1 and T2 lines.

Travellers are able to take a bus between Hornsby and Central, Penrith and Olympic Park, Leppington and Lidcombe, and Ashfield and Central.

“Stops and platforms may change at short notice and you may need to change to continue your trip,” Transport for NSW said.

“Consider using Metro services between Epping, Chatswood and Central.

“Please delay all non-essential travel, use local bus routes or arrange alternative transport where possible.”

Transport for NSW has activated an agreement with Uber to stop unreasonable surge pricing during the incident and any flow on effects.

Transport Minister John Graham said he had been briefed on the incident.

“This is a very serious incident in a critical part of the rail network and we apologise to all train passengers affected and trying to get home tonight,” he said.

“The position of the train at Strathfield is a major artery of the network and has caused huge disruption.”

Commuters are seen waiting for information on Tuesday afternoon

He confirmed all passengers had now disembarked the stranded train, as well as those stuck on-board three other trains that were stopped.

“Teams are now working to cut the entangled train away and an assessment made of recovery work needed,” Mr Graham said.

“We will update on how that work progresses tonight and any flow-on impacts into tomorrow morning.”

In a post to X (formerly Twitter), Sydney Trains confirmed there was no available estimated time to when the trains would be back up and running.

Many took to the post to share their frustrations.

“Same old, same old story,” one fed up commuter wrote.

“Stop being so incompetent, every f**king day,” another said, while a third added “another day, another delay”.

A fourth wrote: “You’d think after all this time you’d have figured out how to protect the train network against the rain.”

Originally published as Sydney commuters stranded as train network rocked by delays, power outages