Sydney’s public transport meltdown has continued through peak hour, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and furious over massive delays.
The busy network was brought to its knees on Tuesday morning after around 70 workers called in sick, and wild weather damaged signal equipment.
But the effects were still being felt several hours later, as train platforms in the city centre overflowed with peak-hour commuters struggling to find their way home.
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Sydney’s public transport meltdown has continued through peak hour, with passengers reporting delays of more than an hour, while some services have been cancelled altogether
The busy network was brought to its knees on Tuesday morning after around 70 workers called in sick, and wild weather damaged signal equipment
The effects were still being felt several hours later, as train platforms in the city centre overflowed with peak-hour commuters struggling to find their way home
Passengers reported being delayed by more than an hour, with some services being cancelled altogether, 9 News reported.
Rail users vented their anger at Sydney Trains during the day, following similar problems on Monday.
New South Wales Opposition leader Luke Foley slammed the Berejiklian Government, the new timetables, and the state’s ‘shambolic’ train service.
‘The timetable is not worth the paper it is written on,’ he told reporters at a press conference.
There was very little room to move on platforms as they became crowded with frustrated commuters
Some services were cancelled altogether after the Sydney Trains workforce was crippled by workers calling in sick
Those lucky enough to make it onto a train were forced to deal with packed cabins
Sydney Trains chief executive Howard Collins defended the network’s six-week-old timetable on Tuesday afternoon, saying the changes were necessary
‘The government has to invest in public services. How is it there aren’t enough drivers to drive the trains on the timetable so 18 trains are cancelled yesterday?
‘Employ more drivers. How about a government that concentrates on the delivery of transport services, instead they’re prioritising a $2billion stadium splurge.’
But Sydney Trains chief executive Howard Collins defended the six-week-old timetable on Tuesday afternoon, saying the changes were necessary.
‘It’s a good thing to do. We need to do it. It’s going to be tight but we believe we can run it,’ he said.
Passengers reported being delayed by more than an hour, with some services being cancelled altogether
Rail users vented their anger at Sydney Trains during the day, following similar problems on Monday
One social media user reported missing flights worth $1500 due to the delays (pictured)
‘Whether you have 100 drivers or a thousand, when things happen, it’s more difficult to pull it all back together again.’
Affected lines include the North Shore, Northern and Western lines, due to a lightning strike at Gordon, and the Olympic Park Line due to staff availability.
The Carlingford Line also has trains suspended due to staff shortages, and the Liverpool, Inner West and South lines are all experiencing major delays.
One furious passenger took to Twitter to complain about missing a flight due to train delays on Tuesday morning.
New South Wales Opposition leader Luke Foley (pictured) slammed the Berejiklian Government, the new timetables, and the state’s ‘shambolic’ train service
Rail users vented their anger at Sydney Trains as morning delays continued into the afternoon, following similar problems on Monday
This Twitter user took a photo of frustrated commuters, a scene replayed throughout Sydney
Passengers took to social media to vent their anger over the delays and cancellations (above)
‘Seriously F*** you Sydney Trains for making us miss our flights because you had no driver, f*** you for costing us $1500 for your incompetence,’ he wrote.
‘Is this Sydney Trains 60-70 drivers calling in sick a kind of general strike due to the new timetable? Is that what this is? Anyone know a train driver?’ wrote another.
‘This is the second train I haven’t been able to board due to overcrowding. What a joke,’ wrote another next to a photo of a packed platform.
‘Stuck in the city circle tunnel now 20 minutes and counting,’ said another customer in reply to a Trains Info tweet.
‘Our train driver said our train this morning was delayed “due to people getting on and off” I wonder what Sydney Trains expect to do with trains??!’ said one perplexed passenger on Tuesday.
The delays continued from early in the morning with problems getting worse early afternoon
At 9am every single train on the vital City Circle was delayed by 41 minutes, leaving commuters furious
Sydney Trains wrote on Twitter the delays are due to ‘staff availability’ and commuters should allow extra travel time for ‘flow on delays’.
About 70 train drivers called in sick Tuesday with Sydney Trains CEO Howard Collins telling reporters the drivers have proper illnesses.
There were also 18 train cancellations across the city on Monday because of staff calling in sick and lack of staff to cover the shifts.
‘We are seeing high levels of sickness of our train drivers … but we are managing that well,’ Mr Collins told 7 News.
Frustrated passengers bemoaned Sydney’s rail network, many calling it the worst in the world
Others called for an investigation, as transport apps shows trains either cancelled or delayed
Commuters are reportedly being turned away from catching their train due to overcrowding
Some commuters are arriving hours early to beat delays but have been stuck on slow services