Sydney commuters are being warned to brace for a second day of chaos as rail unions plan more disruptions.
An estimated 40 per cent – about 1,500 rail services – were cancelled or significantly delayed for up to six hours during peak hour on Wednesday morning as part of industrial bans from the combined rail unions.
More disruptions are expected on Thursday, with 350 ongoing and new industrial bans underway.
Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said two more days of industrial action has been planned, with disruptions set to worsen from Friday.
Mr Longland explained disruptions on Thursday would be the result of the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) refusing to undertake critical maintenance at Bondi Junction and Homebush
The lack of maintenance caused issues with the signal system leading to widespread cancellations across the entire network.
‘We’re asking everyone to plan ahead, if you need to travel [on Thursday] keep up-to-date with the latest information,’ Mr Longland said.
While separate unions, the ETU and the Rail, Tram, and Bus and Union (RTBU) are working together as part of the Combined Rail Unions to negotiate terms with the government.
An estimated 40 per cent – about 1,500 rail services – were cancelled or significantly delayed for up to six hours during peak hour on Wednesday morning
The RTBU has also planned its own industrial action for the next two days, with Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink advising commuters to expect delays.
‘Industrial action will include speed bans on train services, impacts to infrastructure maintenance and inspections, and bans impacting how incidents are managed in the Rail Operations Cetnre,’ Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink advised.
Drivers will deliberately slow down on the tracks – cutting speeds by 23km/h on lines where trains usually travel 80kmh/h.
Union members said they would refuse to manually override the system that controls the networks traffic lights as part of its planned industrial action on Friday.
Meanwhile, new work bans will also be introduced including a strike on ‘hazardous waste’ – adding to an already stressed rail network.
Workers will stop cleaning waste, including bodily fluids such as urine and blood, from Thursday and every day next week.
RTBU members will also drop their tools ‘on the hour, every hour’ for five minutes next Thursday and Friday.
From next Wednesday, the union has planned an eight-day ban on ‘absolute signal blocking’ which is used to close sections of the tracks for maintenance.

Frustrated commuters crammed into the few trains that were operating on Wednesday after about 1,500 services were cancelled or significantly delayed
On January 28, trains will not be stopping at Kogarah and Summer Hill stations for a day, leaving commuters stranded.
The ban is a direct message to Premier Chris Minns and Transport Minister Jo Haylen as it targets constituents in their own electorates.
RTBU member’s will also stop mopping trains and platforms on January 30 as part of the industrial action.
The union has refused to lift its work bans unless the government resumes negotiations.
More to come…
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