Sydney train commuters warned to prepare for more disruptions as services cut
Updated
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has described Sydney's train network as "a work in progress" on her first day back in the office for 2018.
Ms Berejiklian apologised to passengers for last week's meltdown, in which there were widespread delays on the city's rail network on Monday and Tuesday.
Today, Sydneysiders were warned almost 40 services had been cancelled due to staff shortages.
She reiterated the Government's position that customers would not get a refund, despite many trains being late, and some not coming at all.
"I just want customers to appreciate we are doing everything we can to build a modern railway network," she said.
"I appreciate that customers are frustrated when things go up in smoke.
"Of course when events like last week happened we let everyone down.
"I want to assure everybody that we are spending, not just the billions of dollars, but also the policies and the human resources to get these things happening again."
The ABC understands trains running between Lidcombe and Olympic Park will today run every 20 minutes instead of every 10 minutes.
There have already been minor delays to some lines during the morning peak hour commute, and Sydney Trains have advised that buses may supplement some trains.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union says the reason Sydney's train timetable will be under pressure again today will be due to an excess of approved leave by Sydney Trains, as well as the reopening of the Hornsby junction.
The cancellations today are a fraction of the 1,500 train services added to the Sydney network every week by the new timetable announced in November.
More service delays expected
Commuters in Sydney faced significant delays across two days last week, with the train network seizing up during a chaotic peak hour which saw severe overcrowding and "indefinite delays".
At the height of the delays, eight out of 10 train lines were not running to a timetable anymore, with no expected departure times available, and travellers were also turned away from certain platforms at Central and Wynyard due to significant overcrowding.
Key stakeholders were at odds over what caused the meltdown, with everything from the weather to sick drivers, rostering, training, a new timetable and an act of God being blamed in the aftermath.
On Friday, Sydney and NSW train drivers warned management to "prepare for action" after voting 'yes' to taking protected industrial action, paving the way for a strike.
The Rail Bus and Tram Union says they are forced to take action because management refuses to negotiate a fair and reasonable enterprise agreement covering 9,000 Sydney and NSW Trains workers.
Topics: rail-transport, sydney-2000
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