‘Entitled to some food’: Sydney train driver claims service halted after not eating for six hours

Shock footage shows the moment a train guard told waiting passengers their train was being stalled because she had gone six hours without food.

A Sydney train driver told stranded passengers they had to wait for their service to continue because she hadn’t eaten in nearly six hours and may “pass out” if she kept driving, shock videos show.

Footage shared on social media last week shows the train driver telling passengers the train bound for Penrith, in Western Sydney had been halted because she was waiting for a new worker to board the train and relieve her – with one commuter claiming the delay turned a 20-minute trip into a 90-minute journey. 

“People are not where they’re supposed to be and I’ve been on this train for nearly six and a half hours,” the driver could be heard telling passengers via an on-board guard announcement. 

“I’m entitled to some food yeah? I’m waiting for someone to come and take the train off me so they can take you to the riff mate because I need some food.

The driver claimed she had been on the train for nearly six hours. Picture: TikTok

“I’m entitled to some food yeah?” she said. Picture: TikTok

The driver apologised if it caused any issues but claimed “if I pass out on the train while the train is moving, apparently, that doesn’t look good on paper either and then I can’t open the doors for yas (sic).”

“So once again this train will be moving once I get a new guard to take it off me.”

One TikTok user who shared a video of the announcement claimed their “20 min commute turned into 1.5 hours cos (sic) they couldn’t find a driver”.

“I offered to drive the train myself, but they said no,” they captioned the video. 

Sydney commuters were hit with chaos at the start of the working week as the pay dispute between rail unions and the NSW government continues. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Many online were quick to criticise the train worker, who didn’t receive a lot of sympathy from hospitality and retail workers. 

“Man I have done 10 hours with no food working in hospitality, where you are running around and on your feet the entire time,” one person wrote. 

“Imagine working retail and getting on the intercom to tell everyone in the store that you haven’t had a break yet,” said another. 

“Pack a lunch? Even a packet of crisps?” another suggested.

“Sack them all,” another said bluntly. 

“Man … give me a job as a Sydney train driver. I’ll get yous there on time,” another commented.

Stoush between government and rail union continues

The footage comes as the long-running pay dispute between the NSW government and unions continued this week, ahead of another Fair Work Commission hearing on Wednesday.

Nearly 200 Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink train drivers and guards did not report for their usual shifts as of 5am Monday, after 1525 failed to report for work between Friday and Sunday.

More than 300 trains were cancelled on Monday, while 4000 services were cancelled or delayed between Friday and Sunday.

Nearly 200 Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink train drivers and guards did not report for their usual shifts as of 5am Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Disruptions appeared to have stabilised early Tuesday, with just 115 Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink train drivers and guards not turning up to work as of 5am with no cancellations.

“Passengers are still advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time as there may be disruption over the course of the day due to industrial action,” a Transport for NSW (TfNSW) spokesman said on Monday.

“Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink apologise to our passengers once again for the ongoing disruption and thank our staff who are working hard to minimise the impacts of industrial action.”

More than 300 trains were cancelled on Monday Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

On Sunday, the Fair Work Commission ruled against the NSW state government’s 418 application seeking orders to prevent unprotected industrial action.

The urgent application came after Sydney Trains said an “unprecedented” number of workers called in sick on Friday, throwing the rail system into chaos.

Sydney Trains chief executive officer Matt Longland earlier told reporters the Commission found there was no evidence Friday’s disruption was caused by the Union as deputy president Thomas Roberts was looking for a pattern of behaviour.

He apologised for “the disruption we are likely to see” as “we’ll be doing everything possible to make services as smooth as we can”.

Another Fair Work Commission hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

news.com.au has reached out to Transport for NSW for comment on the incident.

– With NewsWire

Originally published as ‘Entitled to some food’: Sydney train driver claims service halted after not eating for six hours