Train strikes next week to impact thousands of Sydney commuters

Sydney's rail network will be hit by industrial action next week which will impact thousands of commuters.

Workers will walk off the job on Tuesday, December 7 as part of ongoing strikes for pay increases.

Heavily reduced services will operate on the T1 North Shore and Western, T2 Inner West and Leppington, T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra, T7 Olympic Park and T8 Airport and South lines.

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Trains will not be running on the T5 Cumberland line.

Buses will replace trains on the T3 line between Lidcombe and Bankstown.

The Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Newcastle lines will run to a weekend timetable.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) wants a 3.5 per cent pay increase per year while the NSW Government is only willing to provide 2.5 per cent.

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Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said it is a "disappointing outcome" for the rail network.

"We have been meeting with the unions regularly for six months, with more than 40 meetings having been held between the two agencies and unions," Mr Longland said.

"We have spoken about a 2.5 per cent per annum pay increase, inclusive of superannuation, and it is incredibly disappointing unions are pushing ahead with more disruptions."

The strike will heavily impact commuters on the multitude of lines running on a reduced timetable.

"As always, we will do everything we can to minimise impacts to customers but we implore the union to call off their disruptions and consider the impacts on the NSW community during this challenging time," NSW TrainLink chief executive Dale Merrick said.

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Customers are warned to expect significant delays on Tuesday as a result of the strike.

Commuters are also urged to plan their journey before they travel or consider alternative travel options.