Train delays, light rail outage cause public transport chaos across Sydney
Sydney commuters are facing a transport nightmare with long lines, delays and crowded services amid the aftermath of the union's strike and light rail service cancellations.
Photos show guards placing barricades on the stairs leading to platforms at Town Hall Station due to overcrowding.
Elsewhere, the L2 Randwick and L3 Juniors Kingsford light rail services were cancelled for about an hour because of urgent track repairs as a result of damage caused by wet weather.
READ MORE: Full list of upcoming train strikes and what lines are affected in August
Guards places barricades to platforms at Town Hall Station. Jessica Chandra
Light rail cancellations and strikes caused peak hour chaos. Jessica Chandra
Now, commuters are facing the flow-on impacts of the cancelled services at both light rail and train stations.
Other images show trains packed full of commuters during peak hour.
'Breakthrough' in union vs government negotiations
Meanwhile, the transport union and NSW government have made a "breakthrough" in negotiations following the most disruptive day of striking.
Thousands of rail workers walked off the job at 10am until 4pm which caused major delays on the North Shore, Northern and Western Line, Blue Mountains Line, Central Coast Newcastle Line, and all regional lines, except stations south to Melbourne.
About 180 suburbs and towns in New South Wales were affected.
Thousands of Sydney rail commuters are being impacted by industrial action on major lines today. Nine
Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW secretary Alex Claassens there has been a "breakthrough" in negotiations with the state government in relation to a safety agreement for the New Intercity Fleet (NIF) which could end the rolling strikes.
The major sticking point at the forefront of the union's industrial action is the safety concerns about the NIF. The union is worried about blind spots in surveillance on the fleet.
The union wants a signed agreement from the government to fund safety improvements on the NIF and keep guards on the trains instead of a CCTV surveillance system.
"I can say this morning we had a meeting and that part of the process (the deed) is moving forward," Claassens said.
"Sometime tomorrow or in the next few days there will be a breakthrough on the deed."
READ MORE: 7-Eleven to double the price of its famous coffee
Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW secretary Alex Claassens said there may have been a breakthrough in negotiations. Nine
Claassens acknowledged commuters are frustrated by the delays but said the rolling strikes are to get the government to listen to the union.
Commuters unimpressed by strike action
Commuters were not impressed this morning by the extensive delays.
"I'm over it, I'm over it," one man said.
Sydneysiders cast blame on both the union and government for the delays.
"I think the unions are to blame this time, it's a bit too much," another commuter said.
"I'm not happy, it's the government that needs to pick up the ball," a commuter added.
Claassens said even if the government signs the deed in the next 24 hours, the strike action planned for Thursday will go ahead.
READ MORE: John Farnham in hospital after cancer diagnosis
Treasurer Matt Kean condemned the union's strike action and the impact on commuters.
"Thousands of school kids are late to school, their parents are late to work because of the industrial warfare," Kean said.
"I've put a billion dollars on the table to meet the union demands with regards to the new trains.
"It's completely unacceptable that they are holding the public for ransom."
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
