Fury as millions of commuters brace for three day Sydney Trains rain shutdown – what you need to know

Sydneysiders are on course for travel chaos as the city’s rail network comes to a standstill for three days after negotiations between the NSW government and the transport union collapsed.

Millions of travelers will remain stranded this weekend after the state government resisted the Rail Tram and Bus Union’s (RTBU) demand for a 32 per cent pay rise.

The trains will stop running at 10pm on Thursday and will remain out of service until 6am on Sunday unless an 11am compromise is reached.

Further industrial action could impact midweek services next week.

Commuters, including those with tickets to major rock concerts and football matches this weekend, expressed their anger on Tuesday evening, with the vast majority blaming the union.

Many unleashed a furious rant, expressing their frustration at the impending destruction, with one person writing on X: ‘F*** all these RTBU transport union workers… constantly striking for extra money.

“You press stop/start on a ****** train or drive a bus, you don’t have PhDs – automate everything like the Sydney Metro, fuck ’em.”

News of the closure came after the RTBU rejected an offer from the NSW government to run one line from Strathfield to Hornsby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The union had demanded 24-hour rail lines as a tactic in its ongoing dispute over wages and working conditions with the state.

The government initially agreed, but told the RTBU this week that only a 24-hour service between Hornsby and Strathfield would be possible.

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the union rejected the compromise at a meeting on Tuesday and would launch a strike that will throw Sydney’s public transport system into chaos.

“We have respectfully asked the unions to withdraw these bans,” Ms Haylen said. “Unfortunately, they have yet to do that.

‘These bans make it increasingly difficult for us to operate our train network and mean passengers can expect disruptions later this week.

“That could mean a complete cessation of activities on the rail network.”

But RTBU secretary Toby Warnes accused the minister and Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland of being insincere with their comments.

‘The CEO of Sydney Trains wrote to RTBU NSW on Tuesday morning saying they would be operating one partial line for 24 hours this weekend, citing vague concerns about ‘maintenance’ as a reason to deprive Sydneysiders of the benefit of 24-hour running, he said.

‘We wrote back immediately – at 9.40am – to let them know they had misunderstood our actions. If there are any maintenance requirements, they should let us know and we will consider how to work around this.”

Mr Warnes said the Government is responsible for what happens to Sydney Trains in the coming days.

“If the NSW Government chooses to shut down the rail system at any time this week, that will be entirely their decision.”

Ms Haylen said the closure will cause ‘major disruption to millions of train passengers’.

“This will significantly disrupt people’s lives and the operation of our city.”

Commuters are being urged to avoid peak hours this Friday and over the weekend.

Transport for NSW is preparing to deploy replacement services, including buses for major weekend events and school services.

The RTBU has been locked in a standoff with the NSW government for six months in a bid to win higher wages and better conditions.

Furious commuters and people with tickets to major rock concerts and football matches vented their anger on Tuesday evening, with the vast majority blaming the union.

The union is demanding a 32 percent pay increase over four years, which equates to an 8 percent pay increase per year, and a 35-hour working week.

But the state government has offered railway workers a much lower pay rise of 9.5 per cent over three years.

Mr Longland said the strike would cause chaos on the network used by more than a million commuters every day.

“Right now we have to prepare for no train services,” he said.

‘I ask people to think about traveling far outside rush hour, to make alternative arrangements, to plan far in advance.’

He said Sydney Trains had asked Sydney Metro to run extra services on Thursday and Friday before the metro closes for maintenance this weekend.

“That will be an additional factor as we look ahead to the weekend we will have no metro services to add to a disruption to Sydney Trains,” he said.

Among those affected are an estimated 70,000 fans of the American rock band Pearl Jam who go to Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday and Saturday evenings.

Football fans attending the United Round of the A-League at Allianz Stadium this weekend will also be affected, including the local derby between crosstown rivals Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday evening.

While the match will take place at Moore Park, the lack of trains will have a major impact on fans trying to get to the match from western Sydney.

Among those affected are the 70,000 fans of American rock band Pearl Jam (pictured) who go to Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday and Saturday evenings.

Many people used foul language to express their frustration about the coming train chaos

Mr Longland urged concertgoers and sports fans to make alternative travel plans.

“We will not have buses for major events at this stage, we will respond to parking, carpooling and ride-sharing services,” he said.

NSW Transport Minister Josh Murray warned alternative services would not be able to carry the same number of rail passengers.

“A million people a day are transported by the Sydney Trains network and it is simply not possible to accommodate them on alternative services, regardless of mode,” he said.

He said passengers should plan ahead for the disruption and consider traveling outside peak hours to get to work or appointments.

‘I now ask people to think about traveling well outside rush hour to make alternative appointments, to plan urgent appointments well in advance in the period from Thursday to Sunday and to be kind and patient to each other… and for our transport staff. ‘

Ms Haylen has urged the RTBU to come back to the negotiating table.

“My door is always open and I would appreciate it if the union lifted these bans at any time,” she said.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said commuters are being let down by a “weak” Premier Chris Minns.

“The Minns Labor government’s failure to keep its union colleagues in check will once again strand commuters and throw the city into chaos once again,” he said.