Central Coast commuters have been warned of major rail disruptions expected this week with protected industrial action set to significantly disrupt NSW train services.
The protected industrial action is expected to cause delays and the increasing cancellation of services across the week, with Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink working to assess the full impacts and provide alternative travel arrangements for customers where possible.
Disruptions on Monday are expected to be relatively minor but on Tuesday, June 28, notified protected industrial action by the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) will see train services restricted to travelling no faster than 60 kilometres per hour in the Sydney suburban area.
As a result, trains on suburban lines on Tuesday are expected to run on an amended timetable with a reduction of up to 50 per cent of normal services during the peak period.
There will likely be significant delays and impacts on NSW TrainLink Intercity and long-distance regional services, with these customers advised to limit travel to essential circumstances only on Tuesday.
A significant reduction in Intercity and regional services to the Central Coast, Newcastle, Hunter, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and South Coast lines is also expected on Thursday, June 30, and Friday, July 1.
On Thursday, further protected industrial action by the RTBU will limit the flexibility needed to be able to manage a large and complex network efficiently with services expected to operate to a significantly reduced timetable to ensure safe operations of the network.
This could see Sydney Trains services reduced by as much as 70 per cent during peak periods and customers should expect disruption including delays, altered stopping patterns and cancellations.
On Friday, further protected industrial action will impact the ability to use the Waratah, Millennium, and OSCAR trains, which combined make up about 70 per cent of the rail fleet and operate around 75 per cent of services.
Limited replacement buses will operate in some locations but Sydney Trains services on Friday during the peak could be reduced by as much as 75 per cent.
Customers should continue to monitor the situation and check transportnsw.info for the latest updates on how services in their area are impacted across the week.
NSW TrainLink is also attempting to directly contact customers who have bookings on regional train services to advise them of expected delays to their planned travel.
Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer, Howard Collins, said customers should ensure they continue to monitor the situation and have a back-up plan for essential travel across the week.
“The network is complex and there are a range of notified actions which will progressively limit our ability to deliver services,” Collins said.
“We continue to work to limit the impact on customers, many of whom will be relying on public transport as we head into the school holiday period, and where possible provide alternative services.”
NSW TrainLink Chief Executive, Dale Merrick, said customers in regional areas would be provided alternative travel options where possible but delays should be expected.
“It’s disappointing this series of actions will take place, but both NSW TrainLink and Sydney Trains remain committed to reaching an agreement with the union to benefit our people,” Merrick said.
The NSW Government has provided a formal offer to the combined rail unions to present to their members.
The unions have been asked to call off their planned actions, while their members consider this offer.
Customers are reminded that Sydney airport will be busier than usual next week ahead of the school holidays and traffic on roads will also be heavier.
For the latest traffic updates visit livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW App.
Verified source: Media release, Jun 26, 2022 Transport for NSW