Major delays for Sydney commuters as rail strike begins

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said he was "disappointed" in the train worker strikes disrupting commuter travel across Sydney today. 

There are warnings of major delays across Sydney's rail network as train drivers begin their strike.

People who travel by train in Sydney are being urged to stay home today and Transport for NSW is reporting "significant delays" after the industrial action began.

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"We believe that our wages policy in NSW is fair and reasonable," Mr Perrottet said. 

"This is at a time when over the last few months we've had 250,000 people in NSW lose their jobs." 

Mr Perrottet said while the "difficult decision" to implement a pay pause had been made last year, this year's budget had brought back a 2.5 per cent increase to public sector pay. 

"It is more generous than other states around the country," he said.

The NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union is refusing to staff any privately built trains on the network in protest of further privatisation of services.

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They are also asking for a 3.5 per cent pay rise.

The industrial action has shut down 70 per cent of the city's trains, impacting workers but also students who have just returned to school.

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"My advice is if you don't have to travel tomorrow (Wednesday) please stay away from public transport," Howard Collins from Transport for NSW warned today.

"There will be delays - we've got a few extra buses on board, but you need thousands of buses to replace train services."

The strike is expected to cause significant delays and commuters are being asked to only use the network if it is essential.

The trains that are available will offer a basic level of service, with some running on a Sunday timetable.