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Sydney buses to the rescue

Sydney bus operators came to rescue once again amidst major rail disruption that ensued despite a major strike being called off last month

Coordinator General Marg Prendergast says although the planned industrial action had been suspended by the Fair Work Commission, customers should continue to plan ahead and expect disruption as the network returns back to normal operations.

Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink continue to negotiate to reach and agree with relevant unions and avoid further network disruptions to customers.

Prendergast says despite the strike not proceeding, customers should prepare for reduced services over the long weekend.

“We are very pleased with this result, and planning to return back to a regular train timetable,” she says.

“It takes time to change the train timetables we had put in place due to the previously planned industrial action, so we’re asking customers to be patient and allow that little bit of extra travel time.”

She advised commuters to monitor the transportnsw.info website for the latest information.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance thanked customers for their extreme patience after major incidents affected train services across the network.

“Understandably our customers were tested and we apologise for the major inconvenience caused,” he says.

“I’ve asked Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins and Transport Secretary Rodd Staples to report to me on how the network can better recover from major incidents with cumulative impacts like we’ve seen over the last few days,” Constance says.

The report is likely to include staffing contingency levels to swiftly recover from weather and other uncontrolled events; potential minor adjustments to services if required to improve recovery time from delays; resource allocation to ensure staff and trains are best positioned across the network.

“Mr Collins and Mr Staples will report back to me on their recommendations which will be public”

“Last November we implemented 1500 extra weekly train services to cope with rapidly growing demand. Everyone acknowledges we need more and more public transport services, which is why $1.5 billion is being spent on the new timetable and 24 extra trains. We’re also continuing to recruit extra staff.”

Additionally, the NSW Government is investing up to $20 billion in a new metro railway for Sydney to ease congestion and expand the transport network.

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