Local rail travellers and commuters are bracing for major disruptions with the Sydney rail network set to grind to a halt from early Friday until Sunday morning November 22-24 due to industrial action by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU).
Readers are advised to seek updates to this story online to keep abreast of the situation.
The action comes as negotiations over a new enterprise agreement between the RTBU and the NSW government continue to stall.
The action was originally set to commence at 10pm on Thursday, November 21, but the union has agreed to run normal services on Thursday, including the planned 86 additional services to Olympic Park for a Pearl Jam concert.
The RTBU had issued an ultimatum to the NSW government, demanding all rail lines operate around the clock from Thursday-Sunday or risk a complete network shutdown.
While the government initially agreed to the union’s demand last weekend, NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen revealed that running a full 24-hour service this week was not feasible.
Instead, the government proposed limited all-night services between Hornsby and Strathfield.
That compromise was rejected by the union during a meeting on Tuesday, with the RTBU deciding to proceed with its planned strike.
The unprecedented industrial action is expected to bring Sydney’s rail system to a standstill, causing widespread delays and significant disruptions for commuters across the city.
Transport for NSW has indicated it is planning to commission hundreds of buses to ease the burden, though says customers should consider other travel options as demand will be high.
A spokesperson said Sydney Trains and NSW Trains remain committed to finding a resolution to the dispute before Christmas.
Readers are advised to seek updates to this story online to keep abreast of the situation.