After last week’s chaotic commute, workers in Sydney are being warned to prepare for more trouble.
Hornsby Junction, the area of train track where the T1 Northern and T1 North Shore lines meet, will reopen after two weeks of construction on Monday.
Howard Collins, CEO of Sydney Trains, told The Daily Telegraph it’s possible there will be delays as the junction is reopened and trains begin to pass through for the first time.
Commuters are being warned to check for delays before they leave for work on Monday as the new and improved Hornsby Junction reopens
He said commuters should check the trains before they leave home, to ensure they were not going to get stuck.
‘Before you travel on Monday, check what is happening, make sure we are getting that smooth run through Hornsby,’ he said.
The work has majorly affected the way trains move in and out of the junction, with many slips and crossovers removed.
A spokesperson for Sydney Trains told Daily Mail Australia cancellations for Monday had already begun, blaming a staffing issue for the inconvenience.
‘We have cancelled a small number of trains on Monday due to staff availability,’ they said.
‘To minimise disruptions we have analysed load data and cancelled services that are typically the least busy, are outside of peak hours or have another train scheduled soon after it.
‘The remodelled Hornsby Junction is also being commissioned on Monday and may have an impact on services due to the need to familiarise staff with the new junction.’
The junction has been closed for two weeks as the point where two lines meet is re-engineered
A spokesperson for Sydney Trains told Daily Mail Australia cancellations for Monday had already begun, blaming a staffing issue for the inconvenience
Half of the T7 line trains between Lidcombe and Olympic Park have been cut and replaced with buses
Trains on the T7 Olympic Park Line between Olympic Park and Lidcombe will be running every 20 minutes instead of every 10 minutes, but buses will be used to supplement the frequency of the service.
Monday’s troubles come just days after members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union voted overwhelmingly to strike in the coming weeks over an ongoing pay dispute.
Nearly 95 per cent of voters approving ‘stoppages of up to 72 hours’ and nearly 85 per cent in favour of ‘one week or indefinite strike’ for Sydney Trains.
Union secretary Alex Classens said while the results indicate strong support for striking, industrial action was still a ‘last resort’.
‘Management are in a position to avoid that situation, and we’re still very hopeful they’ll come to the table and negotiate a fair and reasonable offer before we get to the point of action,’ he said.
‘This ballot result means workers now have the option of taking protected industrial action, but it’s important to stress that at this stage, no action is being undertaken.
‘Commuters will always be given as much notice as possible of any action.’
Monday’s troubles come just days after members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union voted overwhelmingly to strike in the coming weeks over an ongoing pay dispute