Latest news with #NSWTrainLink
7NEWS
07-07-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Commuters to receive 48 hours free train travel as Minns government celebrates new deal with rail workers
Residents and those visiting New South Wales will soon enjoy 48 hours of free travel on all trains within the state as the Minns Government celebrates the successful rail Enterprise Agreement. More than a million metro and regional train passengers across NSW will travel free for two days on Thursday, July 31 and Friday, August 1, the NSW government announced on Sunday. The move, however, is not just an altruistic gesture, with the government using the opportunity to apologise to local business who were 'strained to breaking point' during a 'period of protected industrial action'. Transport Minister John Graham said the government is urging passengers to use the free fare to support local business and offer them a 'shot in the arm'. 'We want to acknowledge the period of protected industrial action took its toll on rail passengers,' he said. '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. 'We will continue to invest record amounts into improved maintenance and work to our plan to lift the level of reliability.' The rail Enterprise Agreement received the overwhelming support of the rail workforce in a ballot that closed on Saturday, the government said. More than 11,700 employees participated in the vote, with 92 per cent supporting the Enterprise Agreement, which will now be lodged with the Fair Work Commission for formal approval. The decision comes after months of fighting between the state government and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW over pay. The government said resolution of the matter will allow Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink and the combined rail workforce to focus solely on improving reliability and services for passengers. Win for rail staff The fare-free 48 hours is an 'invitation to workers' to travel into the Sydney or Parramatta CBDs, or other work and commercial centres across the state, to support the food and hospitality businesses that took a hit during months of disruption. Sydney Trains Chief Executive, Matt Longland, said the new agreement was a win for rail staff. 'This is a win for our staff, but an even bigger win for the travelling public,' he said. 'With this certainty, Sydney Trains can resume its focus on delivering a safe, reliable, and disruption-free service. Passengers can have renewed confidence that the trains they rely on will be there when they need them.' From 12.01am Thursday, July 31 to 11.59pm on Friday, August 1, travel will be free on all Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink, Airport Link, and Sydney Metro services. Opal gates and readers will be turned off during the fare free period, and passengers will not need to tap on and tap off. People who have bought tickets on NSW TrainLink services during the fare free period will be refunded. Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said recent disruption hit parts of rural and regional NSW hard. 'Regional passengers deserve this relief, and I encourage everyone to take full advantage of these two days by hopping aboard and seeing what our regional areas have to offer,' She said. 'These fare-free days are just the beginning of getting our regional rail network back on track, ensuring regional commuters get the reliable services they deserve.'
Time Out
06-07-2025
- Business
- Time Out
All metro and train services across Sydney and NSW will be free for two days this month
But there's light at the end of the tunnel, with rail workers agreeing this weekend to a new Enterprise Agreement that should bring the disruptions to an end. As an apology to the people of Sydney for the months of chaos, Transport for NSW is offering two full days of fare-free rail (and metro) travel across the state. Rather than scheduling the fare-free travel days immediately, they've been set for the end of the month to avoid coinciding with school holidays and to allow the maximum number of commuters to benefit. According to Transport for NSW, more than one million passengers are expected to take advantage of free journeys across the two days, with the NSW Government encouraging Sydneysiders to make the most of the network and support both Sydney's hospitality scene and regional businesses – without the travel costs. (NB: For NSW TrainLink journeys, you'll still need to book a ticket to secure your seat, and you'll be refunded on the day.) Free travel for two days is a bonus, but the real win here is the renewed stability expected across the NSW train network. After months of negotiations, 92 per cent of rail workers voted in support of the Enterprise Agreement, which will now be lodged with the Fair Work Commission for formal approval. Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said the outcome is 'a win for our staff but an even bigger win for the travelling public.' 'With this certainty, Sydney Trains can resume its focus on delivering a safe, reliable, and disruption-free service. Passengers can have renewed confidence that the trains they rely on will be there when they need them,' said Longland. Fare-free travel on all Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink, Airport Link, and Sydney Metro services will apply from 12.01am on Thursday, July 31, until 11.59pm on Friday, August 1, 2025. Fee travel will not extend to buses, ferries, or light rail services, and passengers using NSW TrainLink services will still need to present a valid ticket to score a refund.
ABC News
05-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Two days of free train travel for NSW after government, unions sign pay deal
Rail commuters will travel for free over two days as a peace offering from the NSW government after months of disruption due to its stoush with the unions over pay. On Saturday afternoon the government signed a three-year deal with the rail unions with 92 per cent of workers voting in favour of the new enterprise agreement. Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW secretary Toby Warnes described the result as "truly a majority", saying the voter turnout from members was a "historic high". He said the period of bargaining had felt long but what has been agreed upon was "something that people were really quite happy with". "But we're really glad we've been able to get this bargain agreement over the line, now we can carry on providing service to the people of New South Wales as our members love to do every day." Under the agreement workers will get a 12 per cent pay rise over three years plus back pay, they will also see an improvement to their conditions and technological advances. Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink will also become one entity. From Thursday July 31 and Friday August 1, metro and regional train trips across the NSW will cost nothing. Minister for Transport John Graham told ABC News it was a great result for rail commuters, adding it would allow for further investment into the reliability of the network. "We know this has been a big impact on people, we know it's been a huge inconvenience — that disruption is over," Mr Graham said. Four rail unions and the state government have been locked in an ongoing pay dispute for months. The unions had been demanding better pay and working conditions, with negotiations often clouded by multiple rounds of industrial action and legal proceedings. "These enterprise agreements have to run through the processes," Mr Graham said. "This is half the time it took to land the last agreement but for commuters it has been a big disruption." Last year, doubt was cast over whether Sydney's iconic New Year's Eve firework celebrations would go ahead, after the union threatened to bring the city's rail network to a halt. On several occasions, the network faced complete shutdowns, including four days of strike action in November last year. Saturday's landmark agreement, which is now submitted for formal approval with the Fair Work Commission, will last for three years. "We'll work really closely over these three years with the workforce, and I hope we're on good terms as we come to the next agreement," Mr Graham said. "But of course, rail workers at the end of this agreement will have the chance to renegotiate their pay and conditions." Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said it was a win for staff but an even bigger win for the travelling public. "With this certainty, Sydney Trains can resume its focus on delivering a safe, reliable, and disruption-free service," Mr Longland said. "Passengers can have renewed confidence that the trains they rely on will be there when they need them." The government hopes passengers will use the fare-free period to support local businesses hit hard by the industrial action. "Some of these businesses took a big hit during the period of disruption and they deserve a shot in the arm," Mr Graham said. Opal gates will be switched off for the 48-hour period at all Sydney trains, NSW TrainLink, Sydney Metro and Airport Line services. Buses, ferries and light rail trips will still come at a cost.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Sydney Trains delays and cancellations today: Warning issued
Trains and buses across NSW have been thrown into chaos after an intense weather 'bomb cyclone' struck the state. Sydney Train Commuters are being warned to check before they travel and be prepared for delays. On the Central Coast to Newcastle Line, trains were not running early on Thursday morning between Wyong and Fassifern due to overhead wiring repairs at Dora Creek. Limited buses replacements were introduced between the two stations and a shuttle train service has been put in place between Fassifern and Newcastle Interchange. NSW TrainLink North said response crews have attended to repair the overhead wiring but 'due to extensive damage, repairs may continue for the next two days'. 'Please delay non-essential travel if possible or consider using other transport,' the statement on social media said. 'If you must travel, allow plenty of extra travel time.'
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- News.com.au
Sydney commuters stranded as train network rocked by delays, power outages
Commuters have been left stranded at a busy Sydney train station ahead of peak hour as a power outage at Strathfield station in the city's west brings multiple lines to a halt. Those travelling on the T1, T2, T3 and T9 lines on Tuesday afternoon have been urged to allow plenty of time and look for alternative ways to get home. If you're travelling on @T1SydneyTrains #WesternLine & #NorthShoreLine, @T2SydneyTrains, @T3SydneyTrains and @T9SydneyTrains, please allow plenty of extra travel time or delay travel due to overhead power supply issues at Strathfield, and look at alternative ways to get home if… — Sydney Trains & NSW TrainLink Info (@TrainsInfo) May 20, 2025 A sign at one train station reads: 'No trains are currently operating between Central and Homebush.'
