Sydney public transport chaos: Sydneysiders urged to work from home as train and bus drivers strike

Sydneysiders have been urged to work from home on Wednesday as the city’s public transport system in plunged into chaos by industrial action. 

Up to three quarters of Sydney’s trains won’t be in operation during the 24 hour strike after rail and union officials failed to reach a resolution in ongoing negotiations.

Up to 1100 bus drivers are also on strike, affecting routes in the city’s south, inner-west and CBD.

Stop work meetings for bus drivers will be held during both the morning and afternoon travel periods.

On top of the public transport chaos, the Harbour Bridge Tunnel was closed southbound overnight after an over-height truck got stuck.

The tunnel has since reopened but motorists are already facing a long commute on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Train services are expected to run to a half-hourly frequency during the 24-hour strike, while all trains on the T5 Cumberland and T7 Olympic Park lines will be cancelled.

Limited rail replacement buses will operate during the morning peak, with getting students to school the main priority. 

Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland warned commuters should ‘absolutely’ stay at home on Wednesday.

‘That is our strong advice, avoid all unnecessary travel and leave the capacity available on trains to those who really need it,’ he told 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham.

‘If you’re able to work from home or avoid the trip on the train tomorrow, that would be my best advice.’

The warning comes after more than 30 services were cancelled during Tuesday’s morning peak, promoting one fed up commuter to walk an hour back home.

The T2 Inner West and Leppington, T3 Bankstown and T8 Airport and South lines were the worst affected routes as commuters were warned to allow for extra travel time.

The delays were hours after hundreds of passengers suffered a nightmare commute home on Monday night.

‘The timetable is operating as normal today but we’ve seen trains not taken into service as a result of this industrial action,’ Mr Longland said.

‘We expect that will create gaps in the frequency during the day today, as it did yesterday and the day before that. This is an ongoing issue.’

Commuters planning to catch the train to work on Wednesday are warned to expect limited services and lengthy delays

Services are expected to run to a half hourly frequency during the 24 hour strike on Wednesday (pictured, commuters during a recent strike)

The chaos comes after the Rail, Tram and Bus Union rejected an offer from the NSW government to call off the strike and branded the offer ‘a stunt’.

In a letter on Sunday, the government withdrew its requirement that a new enterprise agreement for rail workers be finalised before it begins modifications on the new Intercity Fleet.

The government’s demands an agreement be locked in before the modifications begin has been a sticking point in the long running negotiations.

‘It doesn’t actually add anything new to this negotiation,’ RTBU NSW secretary Alex Claassens said on Tuesday.

‘It was purely used to generate another headline for the government.’

Transport Minister David Elliott denied claims the offer was a stunt.

‘It’s exactly what the rail union asked for,’ he said

‘Just take the deed … we’ve given you what you wanted.’

Sydney Trains bosses have warned commuters should ‘absolutely’ stay at home and avoid unneccesary travel