Sydney to See Four Day Train Shutdown Due to Industrial Action
By Kwedu News
Sydney – Trains in Sydney are set to shut down from Thursday to Sunday due to industrial action, Transport Minister Jo Haylen has announced.
The shutdown comes after the New South Wales government rejected the Rail, Tram and Bus Union’s (RTBU) demands for 24-hour train services, citing concerns it would throw the state’s transport system into chaos.
The union’s work ban is scheduled to apply from 10 pm on Thursday to 6 am on Sunday.
Commuters were warned to expect fewer services across the entire four day strike.
“Because the union has not lifted those bans, there will be no train services between Thursday and Sunday this week.
“This will cause major disruption to the millions of people that rely on these services,”Minister Haylen said.
The government had previously agreed to run 24-hour trains, avoiding a shutdown after the union made the same demand, at least for a week.
Minister Haylen, however, said the network would not survive an extended timetable.
“If we continue to try to run 24-hour services over the weekend, the fact is, it will eventually lead to the failure of our rail network,” she said.
RTBU NSW secretary, Toby Warnes, argued that maintenance could be carried out outside overnight periods, and the time-limited bans would have limited impact outside Friday and Saturday.
“There shouldn’t be any disruption to the commuters of Sydney on Thursday or Sunday,” he said, adding that “If the NSW government chooses to shut down the rail system at any stage this week, it will be entirely their decision.”
The shutdown is expected to impact various events, including two Pearl Jam concerts at Sydney Olympic Park and the A-League’s Unite Round.
Commuters have been advised to explore alternative transport options, as extra bus services would be rolled out but would not cop.
