Trains have started moving across the Sydney network again after a “communication issue” hit every line just before peak hour, bringing the network to a standstill.
But commuter chaos is expected to last into the night with travellers warned to hold off from using Sydney trains and seek alternative transport to get home.
Sydney Train chief executive Matthew Longland has warned commuters to expect long delays on Wednesday night.
“The advice for customers is if you haven’t yet travelled and you need to travel on the rail network, think about delaying your trip until the service is fully restored,” he said.
People leave Town Hall Station in Sydney after the rail network closed on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short
“My advice would be if you’re able to delay your trip for around 60 to 90 minutes.
“Think about maybe travelling in the lighter peak periods, 5 or 6pm, and you’ll have a much less challenging journey.”
The shutdown started after about 2.45pm on Wednesday when Transport for NSW was advised the Digital Train Radio Sysntm (DTRS), which connects the train crew with the signaller and the Rail Operations Centre, had failed on the Sydney Trains network.
“As a result for safety reasons, we have had to halt trains at platforms until we can reboot the system,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“We have managed to move all trains to platform and there are no people trapped on trains.
“People were able to safely get off trains. Airconditioning and public announcement systems are working.”
People leave Town Hall Station in Sydney after the rail network closed on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short
Sydney Trains tweeted just after 4pm that trains had started running again.
“Allow plenty of extra travel time due to a train communication issue earlier. Stops & platforms may change at short notice,” it tweeted.
“Please listen for announcements & check information screens before getting on trains.”
Mr Longland said there would be gaps in train services across every line.
“Given that we’ve had this gap in service for over an hour, it’s meant the trains standing at platforms have been unable to connect to the timetable service that they would normally do.
“Hence we will have gaps in services across the (network).
“We will do our best to plug so we’re working with developer operation centre at the moment to look at everything we can do to provide services to customers can minimise these delays.”
Delays would depend “line by line” and “station by station”.
Commuters waiting for light rail in Sydney after the rail network shut down on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short
Mr Longland said initial reports found that the issue was not caused by a system upgrade undertaken on Tuesday night or by a cyber attack.
“We will fully investigate to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” he said.
Labor transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen blamed the shutdown on the government.
“The Liberal government’s neglect of our existing train network has left old infrastructure that breaks down too often, and when it does, the entire network is disrupted leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded,” she said.
“Our existing rail network needs investment. It needs new rolling stock and new infrastructure. Instead the Liberals have neglected it and ran it down.”
Commuters leave Town Hall Station and wait for light rail in Sydney after the rail network closed on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short
People leave Town Hall Station in Sydney after the rail network closed on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short
Commuters told NCA NewsWire that official announcements told them that trains were at a “standstill”.
People leave Town Hall Station in Sydney after the rail network shutdown. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short
Sydney Trains informed customers of the issue just before 3pm on Wednesday, not long before peak hour is set to begin when workers head home.
“Trains are currently not moving,” one tweet to passengers said.
Commuters were quick to take to social media to speak about being trapped on trains or facing huge waits to get home.
All Sydney trains are at a complete standstill. No cabs at Hurstville, big queues
— katie🌞 (@_____katieeeee) March 8, 2023
@TrainsInfo Network is down. Reports that all trains have stopped. Some commuters lucky to be let off at stops. Uber fares from Nth SYD to CBD have jumped from $20 average to over $50 due to “increased demandâ€. Not long before peak hour…. This will be interesting! #SydneyTrains
— Bradley Seehusen (@bradleyseehusen) March 8, 2023
Allow plenty of extra time with zero notice? Do you know how backwards that is #sydneytrains?
— 🪷🌿 (@absurdiem) March 8, 2023
For those who have managed to make it off the train, it may be an expensive trip home with reports of Uber prices surging due to increased demand.
The unexpected shutdown of the Sydney train network cause chaos and demand for Uber. NCA NewsWire.
“Uber fares from Nth SYD to CBD have jumped from $20 average to over $50 due to ‘increased demand’,” commuter Bradley Seehusen said on Twitter.
Read related topics:Sydney