Delays warning as train network recovers from industrial action

“I acknowledge that when you’re standing on a platform and there is no train, that means that you paid for a service that you did not get,” Transport Minister Jo Haylen told 2GB on Friday morning.

Rail workers have been offered a 14 per cent pay rise over four years, which includes a 1 per cent rise from savings from the merger of the state’s two passenger rail operators. Haylen said on Wednesday that it was a “final pay offer”.

On Friday morning, commuters vented their frustration after two days of commuting hell. Many Sydneysiders were late to work, missed shifts, or just stayed at home to avoid the chaos this week.

At 7am, most trains from Strathfield station were running on time. However, quiet platforms suggested many commuters had stayed away.

Axel Greer chose to drive to work yesterday to avoid the train chaos, after it took him three hours to reach Blacktown from Marrickville on Wednesday.

“But I’d heard they’ve cancelled the strike so I’m back on the train today,” he said at Strathfield on Friday.

Asked about the industrial dispute, he admitted he hasn’t been following it closely.

“But I do think it’s unreasonable, especially given other public sector pay,” he said.

Cleaner Punam Adhikari, who commutes from Harris Park to Epping, said the pay increase sought by rail workers was “too much”.

She said the delays to train services caused by the industrial action were unreasonable for people who rely on public transport to get to work. Adhikari had been late to work as a result.

“If we’re late we are threatened with dismissal,” she said.

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