NSW's free train days revealed after unions vote for wage deal
Travellers will not have to tap on at any stations on Thursday July 31 and Friday August 1, as recognition for the disruption and frustration caused by the industrial action during the recent pay dispute with rail unions.
Of the 11,735 workers who participated in a vote on the new pay agreement, 92 per cent voted in favour of the government's 12 per cent pay rise offer over three years, with essentially another four per cent thanks to back pay to May 2024.
Opal readers will be turned off across the network, including at metro stations, and TrainLink customers will be refunded the price of tickets booked for those days. Full fares will still apply to buses, light rail and ferries.
The result will be welcome news for commuters after the rail union's campaign of industrial action, sparked last September, brought chaos to the network.
The fare-free days were to recognise patience of the travelling public as well as the cafes, shops and other small businesses that were the 'collateral damage' of the disruptions, a government statement said.
'Some of these businesses took a big hit during the period of disruption and they deserve a shot in the arm,' Transport Minister John Graham said.
'We want to acknowledge the period of protected industrial action took its toll on rail passengers but today we also look forward with optimism to a train system that will benefit from the entire workforce and management pulling in the same direction and the introduction of new technology to improve reliability and recovery times when disruption occurs.'
The industrial action, which included 'go slow' edicts and bans across a range of work activities threatened major events including New Year's Eve, and left passengers stranded on packed platforms and carriages during the summer.
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Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
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The Age
3 days ago
- The Age
Sydney had free trains for 54 hours. A lot of us went whale watching
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