Sydney's rail network will grind to a halt between Thursday and Sunday due to industrial action. The industrial action will impact Sydney inter-city and suburban lines only between 10pm on Thursday to 6am on Sunday. Transport for NSW is preparing for alternative services, including buses for major events over the weekend and school services.
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TVTranscript
00:00A rejected offer threatening to bring Sydney's rail services grinding to a halt.
00:07I need to inform the travelling public that there will not be train services between Thursday
00:13and Sunday this week.
00:15The rail union had put an ultimatum to the state government to either run 24 hour services
00:20on all lines Thursday to Sunday or face a complete shutdown.
00:25If we continue to try and run 24 hour services over the weekend the fact is that it will
00:32eventually lead in the failure of our rail network.
00:35The government agreed to a 24 hour trial last weekend but proposed to limit that to the
00:40T1 line this week.
00:42At this stage that proposal has not been accepted, the bans have not been lifted and we're now
00:48just over 24 hours away from that action kicking in.
00:51Union members are now expected to walk off the job.
00:54If not enough, running that one line between Strathfield and Hornsby to make us drop our
01:03action that calls for 24 hour running.
01:06But the union says its shutdown will only impact services on two days not four.
01:12There may be some disruption on Friday and Saturday but there shouldn't be any disruption
01:17to the commuters of Sydney on Thursday or Sunday.
01:21The face off comes amid a broader stalemate over pay.
01:24We want this bargain done before Christmas.
01:27So it is incumbent on the government, the ball is in the government's court now to come
01:31and sit with us at the bargaining table and get this deal done.
01:35Commuters are dreading the possible shutdown.
01:38Not helpful that's for sure.
01:39I have my walk at the weekend.
01:41I don't know maybe I'll just take my car which is obviously not the best outcome.
01:45To add to the chaos, rock band Pearl Jam is expected to perform to 40,000 fans in the
01:50Sydney Olympic Park and thousands more are expected at A-League football matches at Moor
01:55Park.
01:56Transport authorities say those events will be very difficult to pull off without the
02:01rail network.
02:02It will be a very challenging night at Olympic Park unless there are train services operating.
02:06A weekend of chaos for millions of commuters.