NSW's passenger train shutdown could continue into tomorrow, with unions and the state government still at loggerheads and commuters being warned to avoid rail travel.
Key points:
Transport for NSW said it was "impossible" to safely operate passenger services today
The union said workers were ready to drive trains as soon as they were allowed
Unions and the government will continue negotiating tonight
Speaking shortly before 5pm, Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland — who made the decision to cancel all services today — said: "We are absolutely focused on resolving this."
"We have been at the Fair Work Commission all day today, and we will work into the evening if that's required to look at what we can do to get trains running again tomorrow across Sydney."
While he said he did not want a repeat of today's complete shutdown, Mr Longland told people to "avoid rail travel if you can" tomorrow.
Mr Longland's warning came after a day of drama on the state's train network.
Earlier, a war of words erupted between NSW's rail union and the state government, who accused each other of being behind the shutdown.
It came after a breakdown in negotiations in the Fair Work Commission on Sunday night, when government lawyers tried to prevent the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) taking protected industrial action today.
Transport Minister David Elliott said the actions of the union were "nothing short of industrial bastardry".
"The people of NSW are rightfully upset today because the union movement has decided they are going to play silly games at short notice and put our services at risk," Mr Elliott said.
"This is not anything but a part of the Labor Party's campaign to bully the electorate into supporting their election. I don't think the people of New South Wales are going to buy it."
A man gestures to a train staff member
Commuters arrive at Sydney's Central Station this morning to find services have been cancelled.(ABC News: Danielle Mahe)
The RTBU denied rail workers were at fault and blamed the government for shutting down the network to "make a point".
RTBU NSW Secretary, Alex Claassens, said staff turned up to work this morning prepared to take part in low-level protected industrial action, which would not have impacted commuters, only to be told by management that trains would not be running today.
Mr Claassens said the decision to shut down the network was the "most low and dastardly thing you can ever imagine a government doing".
"I just want to make the point straight up, we are not on strike, this is not a strike," he said.
"We're ready to work.
"They blocked out their workforce and they've inconvenienced the people of NSW."
Train drivers stood on a platform
Train drivers say they are ready to work when the state government allows them to.(ABC News: Alison Xiao)
Mr Elliott said the decision to close the network was made by Transport for NSW and was an "operational matter".
Everything you need to know about NSW's train shutdown
The union and the NSW government are blaming each other for today's state-wide passenger train shutdown — this is what you need to know about the conflict.
Sydney trains
Read more
Transport for NSW is a state government agency, which Mr Elliott ultimately has responsibility for as minister.
"On what world would we be living if governments deliberately decided they were going to stop and inconvenience commuters on the day universities go back and the day foreign travellers return," Mr Elliott said.
Christopher Edwards has been stranded at Central Station, waiting to get home to the Central Coast after trains were cancelled.
Mr Edwards said he finished work at 5am and has been waiting for five hours for someone to pick him up.
Christopher Edwards
Christopher Edwards has been sitting outside Central Station since he finished work at 5am.(ABC News: Danielle Mahe)
"It felt like the movie, The Terminal. I felt a bit stuck, and I had nowhere to go," he said.
Mr Edwards said it's too expensive to catch a cab or an Uber home and is cheaper for his mother to drive 90 minutes from Woy Woy to pick him up.
"I will just give her the money for petrol."
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