Sydney trains running at lower capacity despite union agreeing to stop strikes

Trains across NSW have again been impacted ahead of a major decision between the government and transport unions.

Commuters are being warned about delays as Australia’s biggest rail network continues to be disrupted ahead of a major Fair Work Commission decision between the NSW government and the union.

Sydney’s train network is set to endure another day of chaos on Friday despite the Rail, Tram and Bus Union agreeing to ease industrial action.

Industrial action has plagued the city’s train system in recent weeks, as well as widespread operational issues due to heavy rains.

Trains are set to run to 60 per cent capacity on Friday as the FWC is due to hand down a crucial decision on the NSW government’s bid to terminate the strikes, claiming the blow to the economy has spiked to tens of millions of dollars.

Commuters are being warned about delays as Australia’s biggest rail network continues to be disrupted. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The union has eased bans on operating foreign-built trains but it continues to demand better conditions and wages for workers.

RTBU NSW secretary Alex Claassens earlier this week said the union ensured additional services would be available this week due to the weather conditions.

The FWC on Wednesday ruled against a bid from the state government to halt industrial action, but the government has filed more applications to suspend and terminate all planned strikes.

A full hearing was undertaken on Thursday where the government warned the action was delaying work to the new Sydney Metro City and Southwest line.

Sydney’s train network is set to endure another day of chaos on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

This could increase the cost of the project by $250 million, the state government argued.

The Australian Workers Union on Thursday promised its members would follow orders not to take industrial action for the next two weeks due to flooding Across Sydney.

“We were very sympathetic to that,” state branch organiser Cameron Wright said.

The NSW government and RTBU’s dispute is centred around a new fleet of foreign-built trains with members holding concerns over their safety.