‘Not possible’: New blow in train disaster
Written by admin on November 21, 2024
The NSW Premier, key MPs and bureaucrats will again meet union leaders on Thursday in attempts to avert massive train shutdowns which will stymie Sydney for more than 48 hours.
The prospect of more than a million commuters having to find some other way to get around looms large on the harbour city, with Pearl Jam hitting the stage Saturday, and plenty of professional sport across the greater Sydney area.
A NSW government spokesperson confirmed Thursday’s meeting would take place after attempts to break the pay negotiation deadlocked on Wednesday.
Sydney Trains commuters across Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and out to the Blue Mountains are being warned to prepare as the 48-hour train shutdown looms closer.
From 4.15 Friday morning, all trains will stop running as part of protected industrial action by the RTBU, who are deadlocked in negotiations with the state government over a new enterprise agreement.
Services will not recommence until midmorning Sunday November 24.
Buses, ferries and light rail services will continue as usual, with some extra services expected to be made available.
The Metro will run as normal on Friday, but will be shut for unrelated maintenance on Saturday and Sunday. The new half of that Metro line will be operating between Tallawong and Chatswood but not from Chatswood to Sydenham through the CBD as a result.
Despite the government scrambling to fill whatever gaps possible, commuters have been warned to avoid any travel if they can, with the continuing services and roads expected to be heavily congested.
“Prepare to make alternative arrangements,” Transport Minister Jo Haylen said on Wednesday.
“If you can, change your working arrangements, that would be best.
“We want to make sure that people can get where they need to go, and we know that there is going to be significant pressure on the alternative transport options, the limited alternative transport options that are available as well, of course, as our road network.”
Ms Haylen has ruled out taking the union to court in a bid to stop the strike action.
“Right now our focus is having these conversations, negotiating in good faith and resolving this agreement as quickly as possible. We know that’s the best path,” the Transport Minister said.
“Of course, government will keep its options open, but right now, our focus is to bring this together, not to take court action and to drive it apart.”
More to come
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