Peak hour chaos as communication issue completely stops Sydney’s train network

Sydney’s rail network has suffered a “train communication issue” that wreaking havoc ahead of the afternoon’s peak hour rush.

Sydney’s rail network suffered a “train communication issue” that wreaked havoc ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s peak hour rush — with commuters being shut out of stations and being told that the “entire network is down”.

Sydney Trains has updated commuters on the issue, urging them to allow for plenty of extra travel time as services stopped across the city.

“Trains are not running due a train communication issue. Please use alternate travel options where possible,” the official Twitter account posted at 3.50pm. “We expect this to continue into afternoon peak services.

“Allow plenty of extra travel time due to a train communication issue. Trains may stop on platforms or between stations for longer than normal while the issue is ongoing.”

TripView showed several services from Central to Circular Quay were delayed by almost an hour at 3.30pm.

By 3.37pm, Strathfield station had wiped its services board clean.

Sydney’s rail network has suffered a ‘train communication issue’ that is wreaking havoc ahead of the afternoon’s peak hour rush.

Commuters were told over the loudspeaker at Central that “the whole network has stopped”, while others were being turned away before reaching their platform.

“This is a big issue, we dont know when trains will go. And will go into peak time,” commuters were told over the loudspeaker.

Footage posted to social media also showed commuters being turned away at the turnstiles at Town Hall station.

Video here from @nickbonyhady of staff turning people away at the turnstiles at Town Hall station. pic.twitter.com/tWMjD8VAC6

— Sarah Keoghan (@sarah_keoghan) March 8, 2023

There are also reports Uber fares have surges to double even before 4pm, with prices expected to rise as thousands of people rush to get home in the evening.

Sydney Trains advised commuters that the North Shore line and the Western line had recommenced services at 4.10pm.

However, the chaos had already begun as Sydneysiders scrambled onto buses. Every southbound bus on King St, Newtown “was packed to the gills” according to one commuter.

One bus driver just said “set down only, not taking passengers”.

In the Western suburbs, hundreds of people were seen lining up at bus stops.

⚠️ Trains are not running due a train communication issue.

Please use alternate travel options where possible.
We expect this to continue into afternoon peak services, updates to follow.

— T7 Sydney Trains (@T7SydneyTrains) March 8, 2023

Legged it out of the office in an Uber while it was “only” surging double. Don’t even want to think about what it’ll be in an hour or two when peak hour really hits and the trains are still at a standstill. #sydneytrains

— Wenlei Ma (@WenleiMa) March 8, 2023

There are no trains. pic.twitter.com/41IGFTC7qu

— Jonathan Row (@jonorow) March 8, 2023

NSW’s Shadow Minister for Transport Jo Haylen criticised the state’s Liberal government for “neglecting” old infrastructure and called for further investment in the sector to avoid citywide failures as seen on Wednesday.

“The Liberal government’s neglect of our existing train network has left old infrastructure that breaks down too often, and when it does, the entire network is disrupted leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded,” she said in a statement provided to news.com.au.

“Our existing rail network needs investment. It needs new rolling stock and new infrastructure. Instead the Liberals have neglected it and ran it down.

“Labor will invest in our train network so it gets passengers from A to B. The Liberals have neglected it and there’s a real risk that they would privatise it”

More to come.