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Sydney train breakdown,.PAP bagus!!!! SMRT Bagus!!!!! 70% was right on PAP..ang mor land no good.
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Sydney's light rail construction erases public artwork in Chinatown
By Michelle Brown
Posted1 hour ago, updated53 minutes ago
IMAGEThe artwork lies under this bitumen.(ABC News: Jonathan Hair)
The Sydney light rail project has been hit by more controversy, this time with valuable public artwork being removed during construction.
One of Australia's foremost contemporary artists, Lindy Lee, was commissioned to create the artwork called Cloud Gate about five years ago.
The integrated design installed in Chinatown's Thomas Street is valued at around $500,000.
Now part of the artwork — brass cloud shapes inlaid into the footpath — has been dug up and covered over with bitumen.
IMAGEArtist Lindy Lee with the bronze clouds built into the footpath in Thomas Street.(Supplied: Transforming Chinatown)
Lee said she would inspect the damage in person when she arrived in Sydney today.
"It was a very expensive project, because it's two streets of Chinatown, you can imagine, a lot of the budget went to infrastructure, so you'd think after all this expense they'd figure out a way of going around [it]."
Sydney Council has written to Transport for New South Wales to advise that it intends to restore the artwork and requires the department to provide the funding.
The council says it understands Transport for New south Wales will seek compensation from Acciona, the Spanish-based company building the light rail.
The NSW Government is locked in anacrimonious legal battle with Acciona over long delays in delivering the project.
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Sydney's light rail construction erases public artwork in Chinatown
By Michelle Brown
Posted1 hour ago, updated53 minutes ago
The Sydney light rail project has been hit by more controversy, this time with valuable public artwork being removed during construction.
One of Australia's foremost contemporary artists, Lindy Lee, was commissioned to create the artwork called Cloud Gate about five years ago.
The integrated design installed in Chinatown's Thomas Street is valued at around $500,000.
Now part of the artwork — brass cloud shapes inlaid into the footpath — has been dug up and covered over with bitumen.
Lee said she would inspect the damage in person when she arrived in Sydney today.
"It's very disappointing because it was an awful lot of effort on my part," she said.
"It just feels like the left hand wasn't speaking to the right hand."It was a very expensive project, because it's two streets of Chinatown, you can imagine, a lot of the budget went to infrastructure, so you'd think after all this expense they'd figure out a way of going around [it]."
Sydney Council has written to Transport for New South Wales to advise that it intends to restore the artwork and requires the department to provide the funding.
The council says it understands Transport for New south Wales will seek compensation from Acciona, the Spanish-based company building the light rail.
The NSW Government is locked in anacrimonious legal battle with Acciona over long delays in delivering the project.
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Sydney Light Rail will not be completed until May 2020, construction company reveals
BY NOUR HAYDARUPDATED THU 4 OCT 2018, 3:40 PM AEST
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PHOTO
The Sydney Light Rail is more than a year behind schedule.
ABC NEWS: JERRY RICKARD
The civil construction company building Sydney's troubled light rail has revealed the project has been delayed again, and will not be complete until May 2020.
Key points:
- Sydney's light rail project has been plagued by delays and court battles
- It was supposed to be finished before the March 2019 State election, but has been delayed several times
- Last month, the Premier said she was confident it would be open by the end of 2019
Last month, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was hopeful the project — which runs from Circular Quay to Randwick — would be open by late 2019.
It was initially supposed to be finished before the State Election, in March 2019.
Mr Noonan told the committee he was "sincerely sorry" for the disruption and pain caused by the project.
"I would like to assure the committee, residents and businesses that we regret the delays, disruption, and impacts that the Sydney Light Rail project has caused," he said.
Acciona is suing the NSW Government for more than $1 billion over claims of "misleading and deceptive" conduct.
The litigation relates to changes in guidelines provided by electricity company Ausgrid.
Mr Noonan said Acciona's biggest challenge had been dealing with Ausgrid's power assets and underground pits in George Street.
"This has had the greatest impact on the lack of certainty of the works and ultimately the disruption overall and impact on residents and businesses," he said.
PHOTO The project has caused major disruption in the Harbour City's CBD.
AAP: MICK TSIKASChanging guidelines sparked delays
He said shortly after contracts were signed, Acciona received new Ausgrid guidelines.
"Acciona advised the Government that the new requirements set out in the Ausgrid Guidelines were completely different to what we had together developed ... and would result in a substantial change to the contract scope," Mr Noonan said.
"Acciona estimated at that time, it would result in a delay of 865 days... and an additional cost of $426 million, to the civil works only."
He described Ausgrid's new guildlines as the "root cause" of the project's delays.
"The new pit sizes pushed the excavation works into areas which had not been investigated by the Government for utilities," he said.
"We were then discovering utilities that had not been expected."
Mr Noonan said the Government had "vastly misunderstood" the risk related to gas, electricity and sewerage utilities.He told the inquiry Acciona also faced other "major scope changes" directed by the Government around 12 months after Acciona entered into a contract.
In total there have been more than 60 unexpected changes including alterations to lane widths and lengths on Anzac Parade and changes to tram stops at the QVB and the University of NSW.
Premier a 'liar': Foley
Transport for NSW's deputy secretary for infrastructure, Stephen Troughton, told the Upper House inquiry that he has "rejected their [Acciona's] schedule".
The last formal notification to Transport Minister Andrew Constance advised the project would be complete in March, Mr Troughton said.
"I haven't advised the minister of the formal time of when we are going to complete at the moment," Mr Troughton told the inquiry.
"I'm still holding them to March 2020 … I believe through our negotiations that we will improve on that date."
Opposition Leader Luke Foley has branded the Premier a "liar" and promised to launch a judicial inquiry to investigate the light rail "conspiracy" if elected in March.
"The public has been lied to by Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister Constance repeatedly on timetable, on cost, on the benefits of the project, on what's underground," he said.
He said it is the worst-delivered infrastructure project in the history of the state.
"You have to say at the very least there has been criminal neglect here by the people who presided over this project."
POSTED THU 4 OCT 2018, 11:41 AM AEST
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Sydney light rail construction filled Kensington home with diesel fumes, inquiry hears
BY NOUR HAYDARUPDATED WED 3 OCT 2018, 3:53 PM AEST
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PHOTO
Many local residents have complained that the ongoing construction has robbed them of sleep.
SUPPLIED: SYDNEY LIGHT RAIL
A frustrated resident living near the new light rail route in Sydney's south-east has told an inquiry that his life has been endangered by construction workers on several occasions.
Key points:
- The inquiry is assessing the Berejiklian Government's response to construction impacts
- One resident says his home has become unliveable, another details impact to her family
- Premier says compensation has been offered, says she's already apologised
"I woke up at midnight and my home was full of diesel fumes," Mr Jordan said.
"I found and photographed an offending portable light generator which was set up directly below my home with prevailing northerly wind blowing all the fumes from the diesel generator into the home.
"It took five phone calls between midnight and 1:00am to get the thing turned off."
Mr Jordan said safety was also compromised when fire escapes to his property were repeatedly blocked.
"I live less than 10 metres from the construction zone [and] in some cases they've been working 20 centimetres from my property.
The CBD to South East Light Rail has been plagued by problems and is currently set to be completed in March 2020 — a year behind schedule.
The project has had an impact on all levels of life, Mr Jordan told the inquest, and he has put in more than 200 calls to the complaints line to record various "breaches".
"My home has become unliveable due to the workers being able to work 120 hours a week."
PHOTO Tree lopping near Centennial Park as part of light rail construction.
FACEBOOK: DAVID GOLDSTEIN
He said disruptive and noisy work had caused him excessive sleep deprivation and he is calling for independent noise monitoring to be implemented at all times.
Mr Jordan also wants to see the project stripped of its critical infrastructure tag, claiming this status has allowed it to get away with "blue murder" and not be held accountable.
He said he has been offered alternative accommodation at a total of more than $30,000 since late 2017 but has turned it down.
"I will not take it because it is substandard," he said.
"$200 a night would not get me any decent room in Sydney … at 30 minutes' notice."
PHOTO Diana Argirellis says there is no reprieve from the noise or flood lights.
ABC NEWS: BRIGID GLANVILLE
Mr Jordan is one of 10 residents and business owners giving evidence before the inquiry which is probing the adequacy of the financial and social response by the Berejiklian Government.
Randwick resident Diana Argirellis was reduced to tears while telling the inquiry how the noise, dust and vibration from the nearby Randwick stabling yard had impacted her young family.
She said an acoustic wall designed to keep out noise had been "completely ineffective".
"The Kensington stabling yard facility which I refer to as my backyard will be a 24-hour, seven day-a-week transport hub with no escape from the noise or flood lights," she said.
She said residents had been "cherry picked" for sound-proofing and air-conditioning while her property on Doncaster Avenue had been neglected.
"I cannot understand why our homes were never mitigated prior to the commencement of work."
Construction leading some to depression, anxiety
PHOTO Construction in Surry Hills outside Bollywood Mirch Masala which has now closed.
SUPPLIED: SYDNEY LIGHT RAIL
Distraught business owners vented to the inquiry about the emotional and financial toll of the protracted project.
Former Surry Hills Cafe owner Emanuel Tzirtzilakis said he lost many of his patrons after heavy building work began and is now heavily in debt.
He said the experience had a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of his whole family and he is "borderline checking into a psychiatric facility".
"It's posing such stress and anxiety and depression upon me that I'm on every medication there is," he said.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it is regrettable that people feel let down.
She said agencies overseen by Transport Minister Andrew Constance have provided millions of dollars in compensation to businesses.
"We can't take away from some of the personal stress that some of those businesses feel," she told reporters in Sydney.
"I've apologised on a number of occasions and do again for us taking a bit longer outside some of those businesses."
POSTED WED 3 OCT 2018, 1:26 PM AEST
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NSW Government was warned Sydney light rail would be poor value and overcrowded
BY GREG MISKELLYUPDATED TUE 18 SEP 2018, 8:09 PM AEST
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PHOTO
The assessment declared the line, which went through George Street, was poor value and would increase congestion.
AAP: DAN HIMBRECHTS
Australia's peak infrastructure body rejected a $500 million funding request for the Sydney light rail, saying the project would increase congestion and did not stack up economically.
Key points:
- The assessment claimed "the light rail system does not generate time savings for commuters".
- It identified potential overcrowding, saying the system "would be at capacity immediately and would not be able to accommodate growth".
- The document warned against ignoring the impact on small businesses, claiming "disturbance costs are likely to be substantial and are not included in the current economic appraisal".
The NSW Government asked IA — which independently assesses the national infrastructure projects — to help fund the light rail, which has since been plagued by problems and delays.
The assessment reveals IA thought the line from Circular Quay to Randwick was poor value, and would be overcrowded and increase congestion on city roads.
It was sent to Transport for NSW officials.
Despite the negative findings, the State Government pushed on without federal support, funding the project with $220 million grant from Sydney City Council.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the light rail would have 15 services per hour between 7am and 7pm in both directions.
"Since the start of construction in 2015 we have already seen a 12 per cent drop in traffic entering in the CBD in the AM peak," they said.
"This is due to the traffic arrangements put in place to prepare for light rail. At the same time public transport use is up by 11.4 per cent."
EXTERNAL LINKSydney light rail assessment exposes doubts of project's benefits
Blowouts and delays
The project has been plagued by delays from complex excavation of underground cables, and a $550 million budget blowout.
The final cost to taxpayers may be over $3 billion, if a $1.2 billion damages claim by Acciona, the principal contractor, is awarded in the Supreme Court.
The 2013 assessment also took issue with the State Government's economic modelling and said the project's own figures suggest that trams may quickly clog Sydney's busy streets, and that taxis, cars and bus-lanes might offer better solutions.
"Congestion within Sydney's CBD could worsen with a light rail system by 12 per cent ... and congestion would also be worse along Anzac Parade," the report warned.
The assessment also stated that the project was "not supported by Infrastructure NSW", which was set up in 2011 to assist the NSW Government in identifying and prioritising big projects.It said Infrastructure NSW believed the plan "could be financially costly" and "disruptive" to businesses.
The assessment also asked why less costly options, such as an alternative plan for buses in the CBD, or "congestion tolling" of cars and road users in Sydney — similar to London — were not considered by the State Government.
"There does not appear to be a substantive consideration of options outside of light rail", the report concluded.
POSTED TUE 18 SEP 2018, 4:03 PM AEST
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Now it's Melbourne tat fuck up..
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Sandringham line suspension causes commuter chaos in Melbourne after woman killed by train
UPDATED ABOUT 2 HOURS AGO
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0:00
VIDEO 0:44 Melbourne commuters endure long delays
ABC NEWS
Commuters using the Sandringham train line in Melbourne endured long delays on Monday night after an elderly woman was hit and killed by a train, causing the line to be suspended.
The woman was struck at a pedestrian crossing between Brighton Beach and Hampton stations about 4:00pm.
Long queues stretched from the Arts Centre, where replacement buses were departing, all the way across Princes Bridge to Flinders Street Station.
Passengers queue across Princes Bridge in Melbourne
PHOTO The Sandringham line was suspended about 4:00pm.
ABC NEWS: JAMES OATEN
Passengers were waiting more than half an hour to get a seat on a replacement bus.
Trains on the line resumed about 6:30pm, but delays continued well into Monday evening as trains were positioned and the backlog of travellers were cleared.
Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman Georgia Main admitted many travellers had faced "a very tough trip home".
The disruptions on the Sandringham line came on top of planned service changes on the Frankston, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
Buses were replacing trains on those lines between Flinders Street Station and Caulfield to allow for construction work to be carried out.
On Twitter, Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen described the combination of events as "the perfect disruption storm".
Mat Burhop was left queuing for a replacement bus to Sandringham for more than an hour.
"All I want to do is get home and watch Game of Thrones," Mr Burhop said.
"I would wager I might get home in three hours.
"The Metro system always seem to fall apart. Whenever there is a crisis everything turns to shit. Getting home's a nightmare."
Passengers queue across Princes Bridge in Melbourne.
PHOTO Trains resumed on the Sandringham line about 6:30pm.
ABC NEWS: JAMES OATEN
Amy Welsh is usually on the Frankston line, but decided to drive to Ripponlea and take the Sandringham line thinking it would be quicker.
She was queuing for over an hour and said the lack of communication was frustrating.
"They haven't told us where the line actually is. I had to go back 200 metres behind me and re-join the [queue for buses for the] Sandringham Line," she said.
Passengers queue for replacement buses near the Arts Centre in Melbourne.
PHOTO The Sandringham line was suspended at a time when buses were already replacing trains on three other lines.
ABC NEWS: JAMES OATEN
"They need more people to tell us where everything is going."
Miles Kendall, who was trying to get to Gardenvale, said he was confused by the situation.
"It's chaos everywhere," he said as he queued for a bus.
"It's a very slow moving line. I'm not sure there is enough buses up there."
POSTED ABOUT 7 HOURS AGO
NEWS HOME
Sandringham line suspension causes commuter chaos in Melbourne after woman killed by train
UPDATED ABOUT 2 HOURS AGO
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0:00
VIDEO 0:44 Melbourne commuters endure long delays
ABC NEWS
Commuters using the Sandringham train line in Melbourne endured long delays on Monday night after an elderly woman was hit and killed by a train, causing the line to be suspended.
The woman was struck at a pedestrian crossing between Brighton Beach and Hampton stations about 4:00pm.
Long queues stretched from the Arts Centre, where replacement buses were departing, all the way across Princes Bridge to Flinders Street Station.
Passengers queue across Princes Bridge in Melbourne
PHOTO The Sandringham line was suspended about 4:00pm.
ABC NEWS: JAMES OATEN
Passengers were waiting more than half an hour to get a seat on a replacement bus.
Trains on the line resumed about 6:30pm, but delays continued well into Monday evening as trains were positioned and the backlog of travellers were cleared.
Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman Georgia Main admitted many travellers had faced "a very tough trip home".
The disruptions on the Sandringham line came on top of planned service changes on the Frankston, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
Buses were replacing trains on those lines between Flinders Street Station and Caulfield to allow for construction work to be carried out.
On Twitter, Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen described the combination of events as "the perfect disruption storm".
Mat Burhop was left queuing for a replacement bus to Sandringham for more than an hour.
"All I want to do is get home and watch Game of Thrones," Mr Burhop said.
"I would wager I might get home in three hours.
"The Metro system always seem to fall apart. Whenever there is a crisis everything turns to shit. Getting home's a nightmare."
Passengers queue across Princes Bridge in Melbourne.
PHOTO Trains resumed on the Sandringham line about 6:30pm.
ABC NEWS: JAMES OATEN
Amy Welsh is usually on the Frankston line, but decided to drive to Ripponlea and take the Sandringham line thinking it would be quicker.
She was queuing for over an hour and said the lack of communication was frustrating.
"They haven't told us where the line actually is. I had to go back 200 metres behind me and re-join the [queue for buses for the] Sandringham Line," she said.
Passengers queue for replacement buses near the Arts Centre in Melbourne.
PHOTO The Sandringham line was suspended at a time when buses were already replacing trains on three other lines.
ABC NEWS: JAMES OATEN
"They need more people to tell us where everything is going."
Miles Kendall, who was trying to get to Gardenvale, said he was confused by the situation.
"It's chaos everywhere," he said as he queued for a bus.
"It's a very slow moving line. I'm not sure there is enough buses up there."
POSTED ABOUT 7 HOURS AGO
Last edited:
This is what you get without Desmond Quek. Desmond should volunteer his services to the Aussies.
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Sydney Light Rail will not be completed until May 2020, construction company reveals
BY NOUR HAYDARUPDATED THU 4 OCT 2018, 3:40 PM AEST
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PHOTO
The Sydney Light Rail is more than a year behind schedule.
ABC NEWS: JERRY RICKARD
The civil construction company building Sydney's troubled light rail has revealed the project has been delayed again, and will not be complete until May 2020.
Key points:
Bede Noonan, the Managing Director of Acciona Infrastructure Australia, told a parliamentary inquiry the NSW Government was informed of the two-month delay in August.
- Sydney's light rail project has been plagued by delays and court battles
- It was supposed to be finished before the March 2019 State election, but has been delayed several times
- Last month, the Premier said she was confident it would be open by the end of 2019
Last month, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was hopeful the project — which runs from Circular Quay to Randwick — would be open by late 2019.
It was initially supposed to be finished before the State Election, in March 2019.
Mr Noonan told the committee he was "sincerely sorry" for the disruption and pain caused by the project.
"I would like to assure the committee, residents and businesses that we regret the delays, disruption, and impacts that the Sydney Light Rail project has caused," he said.
Acciona is suing the NSW Government for more than $1 billion over claims of "misleading and deceptive" conduct.
The litigation relates to changes in guidelines provided by electricity company Ausgrid.
Mr Noonan said Acciona's biggest challenge had been dealing with Ausgrid's power assets and underground pits in George Street.
"This has had the greatest impact on the lack of certainty of the works and ultimately the disruption overall and impact on residents and businesses," he said.
PHOTO The project has caused major disruption in the Harbour City's CBD.
AAP: MICK TSIKASChanging guidelines sparked delays
He said shortly after contracts were signed, Acciona received new Ausgrid guidelines.
"Acciona advised the Government that the new requirements set out in the Ausgrid Guidelines were completely different to what we had together developed ... and would result in a substantial change to the contract scope," Mr Noonan said.
"Acciona estimated at that time, it would result in a delay of 865 days... and an additional cost of $426 million, to the civil works only."
He described Ausgrid's new guildlines as the "root cause" of the project's delays.
"The new pit sizes pushed the excavation works into areas which had not been investigated by the Government for utilities," he said.
"We were then discovering utilities that had not been expected."Mr Noonan said the Government had "vastly misunderstood" the risk related to gas, electricity and sewerage utilities.
He told the inquiry Acciona also faced other "major scope changes" directed by the Government around 12 months after Acciona entered into a contract.
In total there have been more than 60 unexpected changes including alterations to lane widths and lengths on Anzac Parade and changes to tram stops at the QVB and the University of NSW.
Premier a 'liar': Foley
Transport for NSW's deputy secretary for infrastructure, Stephen Troughton, told the Upper House inquiry that he has "rejected their [Acciona's] schedule".
The last formal notification to Transport Minister Andrew Constance advised the project would be complete in March, Mr Troughton said.
"I haven't advised the minister of the formal time of when we are going to complete at the moment," Mr Troughton told the inquiry.
"I'm still holding them to March 2020 … I believe through our negotiations that we will improve on that date."
Opposition Leader Luke Foley has branded the Premier a "liar" and promised to launch a judicial inquiry to investigate the light rail "conspiracy" if elected in March.
"The public has been lied to by Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister Constance repeatedly on timetable, on cost, on the benefits of the project, on what's underground," he said.
He said it is the worst-delivered infrastructure project in the history of the state.
"You have to say at the very least there has been criminal neglect here by the people who presided over this project."
POSTED THU 4 OCT 2018, 11:41 AM AEST
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If the Chinese were to build this, it would have been done long ago. Ah Tiong is the best.
Sydney train delays and cancellations after breakdown at Town Hall
Sydney's rail network is in meltdown again
VIDEO 0:55 Replacement buses have choked roads through Sydney's CBD. ABC NEWS
Sydney's rail network is in meltdown again, with widespread delays and cancellations, after repairs had to be made to a train during peak-hour at Town Hall Station.
There are major disruptions to services on the T1, T2, T3, T8 and T9 lines, at least 16 cancellations and some commuters say they have been stuck on trains for two hours.
A Sydney Trains spokesperson said the train at Town Hall had a loose hatch on its roof that was close to overhead wiring.
People around the city were told to get on busses to complete their journey, but the situation on them was not much better.
Queues for replacement bus services could be seen extending for several blocks at many stations including Wynyard, Newtown and Rhodes.
A gridlock with dozens of busses on the city side of the Harbour Bridge only added to the chaos.
workers next to a train on a platform
PHOTO A loose hatch on top of a train was blamed for a rail network meltdown. TWITTER: @T3SYDNEYTRAINS
One commuter complained on social media they had been told to walk over the Harbour Bridge from Wynyard.
Repairs were completed at 9.00am but the delays are expected to continue until around midday.
Commuter Mick Bock got off a train at Newtown after it did not move for almost an hour.
"My trip from Lewisham to Central is usually 15 minutes but after 45 minutes the driver basically told us to get off at Newtown, as the delay was only getting worse," he said.
"All the information I had said that there was worse to come.
"If I can be honest, my boss is a good guy and is understanding, as this happens all the time.
A woman falls while people cram onto a train.
PHOTO A woman falls while people cram onto a train during peak hour mayhem. TWITTER: EMI
Platforms are packed with very little room to move and one passenger fell at North Strathfield Station while trying to board a full train.
Ubers are in high demand so prices have surged, with one commuter telling the ABC a 2.6 kilometre journey was priced to $66.
Outraged commuters were also demanding refunds on their trip.
"One train needs mechanical repairs and apparently shuts down the whole Sydney train system causing delays. How come I'm paying almost $10 a day for opal again?" wrote one Twitter user.
screenshot of timetable showing late trains
PHOTO The backlog on the Bankstown line was extensive this morning. SUPPLIED: TRIPVIEW
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins apologised for the inconvenience and admitted the system was "ancient".
He said because the loose hatch was close to overhead wires, power had to be isolated while crews conducted repairs.
"Because we've got a pretty ancient system, we have to send people down into tunnels to pull old-fashioned switches to turn the power off just at this platform," he said.
"We're diverting trains around the City Circle, we are providing trains over the [Harbour] bridge by reversing those trains at Wynyard ... but it will be slow. I apologise to everybody who is involved."
Mr Collins said a "huge investigation" would be undertaken as hatches rarely become loose due to attached safety catches.
"We really want to understand who last worked on it," he said.
Posted about 2 hours ago
Sydney's rail network is in meltdown again
VIDEO 0:55 Replacement buses have choked roads through Sydney's CBD. ABC NEWS
Sydney's rail network is in meltdown again, with widespread delays and cancellations, after repairs had to be made to a train during peak-hour at Town Hall Station.
There are major disruptions to services on the T1, T2, T3, T8 and T9 lines, at least 16 cancellations and some commuters say they have been stuck on trains for two hours.
A Sydney Trains spokesperson said the train at Town Hall had a loose hatch on its roof that was close to overhead wiring.
People around the city were told to get on busses to complete their journey, but the situation on them was not much better.
Queues for replacement bus services could be seen extending for several blocks at many stations including Wynyard, Newtown and Rhodes.
A gridlock with dozens of busses on the city side of the Harbour Bridge only added to the chaos.
workers next to a train on a platform
PHOTO A loose hatch on top of a train was blamed for a rail network meltdown. TWITTER: @T3SYDNEYTRAINS
One commuter complained on social media they had been told to walk over the Harbour Bridge from Wynyard.
Repairs were completed at 9.00am but the delays are expected to continue until around midday.
Commuter Mick Bock got off a train at Newtown after it did not move for almost an hour.
"My trip from Lewisham to Central is usually 15 minutes but after 45 minutes the driver basically told us to get off at Newtown, as the delay was only getting worse," he said.
"All the information I had said that there was worse to come.
"If I can be honest, my boss is a good guy and is understanding, as this happens all the time.
A woman falls while people cram onto a train.
PHOTO A woman falls while people cram onto a train during peak hour mayhem. TWITTER: EMI
Platforms are packed with very little room to move and one passenger fell at North Strathfield Station while trying to board a full train.
Ubers are in high demand so prices have surged, with one commuter telling the ABC a 2.6 kilometre journey was priced to $66.
Outraged commuters were also demanding refunds on their trip.
"One train needs mechanical repairs and apparently shuts down the whole Sydney train system causing delays. How come I'm paying almost $10 a day for opal again?" wrote one Twitter user.
screenshot of timetable showing late trains
PHOTO The backlog on the Bankstown line was extensive this morning. SUPPLIED: TRIPVIEW
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins apologised for the inconvenience and admitted the system was "ancient".
He said because the loose hatch was close to overhead wires, power had to be isolated while crews conducted repairs.
"Because we've got a pretty ancient system, we have to send people down into tunnels to pull old-fashioned switches to turn the power off just at this platform," he said.
"We're diverting trains around the City Circle, we are providing trains over the [Harbour] bridge by reversing those trains at Wynyard ... but it will be slow. I apologise to everybody who is involved."
Mr Collins said a "huge investigation" would be undertaken as hatches rarely become loose due to attached safety catches.
"We really want to understand who last worked on it," he said.
Posted about 2 hours ago
Oh yes..ah tiong land backyard is very well built....they going to build glass houses soon?
If these fucking Ang Mohs think they can take on the might of China they must be delusional. China can crush them like ants.
Sydney Trains boss tells people to leave work early amid fears of more chaos
Sydney's rail network is in meltdown again
VIDEO 0:55 Replacement buses have choked roads through Sydney's CBD. ABC NEWS
Sydney's rail commuters are being urged to leave work before peak hour today as the city's train network grapples with cascading delays from this morning's meltdown.
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins said a loose hatch on a train that blocked a line at Town Hall this morning was to blame for the problem.
There were major disruptions to services on the T1, T2, T3, T8 and T9 lines, at least 16 cancellations and some commuters said they had been stuck on trains for two hours.
Mr Collins warned travellers to leave for home earlier than normal, because of ongoing delays in clearing the backlog of trains.
"Just bear with us, but if you need to travel home tonight — if you've got an urgent appointment or you need to see your kids, look at some of the alternatives," he said.
"We're doing our best, but a big railway like this, with all the interconnections, may take some time."
People around the city were told to get on buses to complete their journey, but the situation on them was not much better.
workers next to a train on a platform
PHOTO A loose hatch on top of a train was blamed for a rail network meltdown. TWITTER: @T3SYDNEYTRAINS
Queues for replacement bus services were seen extending for several blocks at many stations including Wynyard, Newtown and Rhodes.
A gridlock with dozens of buses on the city side of the Harbour Bridge had only added to the chaos.
One commuter complained on social media they had been told to walk over the Harbour Bridge from Wynyard.
Repairs were completed at 9.00am but there are still some delays.
Commuter Mick Bock got off a train at Newtown after it did not move for almost an hour.
"My trip from Lewisham to Central is usually 15 minutes but after 45 minutes the driver basically told us to get off at Newtown, as the delay was only getting worse," he said.
"All the information I had said that there was worse to come.
"If I can be honest, my boss is a good guy and is understanding, as this happens all the time."
A woman falls while people cram onto a train.
PHOTO A woman falls while people cram onto a train during peak hour mayhem. TWITTER: EMI
Platforms were packed with very little room to move and one passenger had fallen at North Strathfield Station while trying to board a full train.
Ubers prices had surged, with one commuter telling the ABC a 2.6 kilometre journey was priced to $66.
Outraged commuters demanded refunds on their trip.
"One train needs mechanical repairs and apparently shuts down the whole Sydney train system causing delays. How come I'm paying almost $10 a day for opal again?" wrote one Twitter user.
screenshot of timetable showing late trains
PHOTO The backlog on the Bankstown line was extensive this morning. SUPPLIED: TRIPVIEW
Mr Collins apologised for the inconvenience and admitted the system was "ancient".
He said because the loose hatch was close to overhead wires, power had to be isolated while crews conducted repairs.
"Because we've got a pretty ancient system, we have to send people down into tunnels to pull old-fashioned switches to turn the power off just at this platform," he said.
Mr Collins said a "huge investigation" would be undertaken as hatches rarely become loose due to attached safety catches, but the problem appeared to be "external".
"As everyone knows who was in the city last night, it was pretty windy, it could've been a branch or a rock," he said.
Posted about 5 hours ago
Sydney's rail network is in meltdown again
VIDEO 0:55 Replacement buses have choked roads through Sydney's CBD. ABC NEWS
Sydney's rail commuters are being urged to leave work before peak hour today as the city's train network grapples with cascading delays from this morning's meltdown.
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins said a loose hatch on a train that blocked a line at Town Hall this morning was to blame for the problem.
There were major disruptions to services on the T1, T2, T3, T8 and T9 lines, at least 16 cancellations and some commuters said they had been stuck on trains for two hours.
Mr Collins warned travellers to leave for home earlier than normal, because of ongoing delays in clearing the backlog of trains.
"Just bear with us, but if you need to travel home tonight — if you've got an urgent appointment or you need to see your kids, look at some of the alternatives," he said.
"We're doing our best, but a big railway like this, with all the interconnections, may take some time."
People around the city were told to get on buses to complete their journey, but the situation on them was not much better.
workers next to a train on a platform
PHOTO A loose hatch on top of a train was blamed for a rail network meltdown. TWITTER: @T3SYDNEYTRAINS
Queues for replacement bus services were seen extending for several blocks at many stations including Wynyard, Newtown and Rhodes.
A gridlock with dozens of buses on the city side of the Harbour Bridge had only added to the chaos.
One commuter complained on social media they had been told to walk over the Harbour Bridge from Wynyard.
Repairs were completed at 9.00am but there are still some delays.
Commuter Mick Bock got off a train at Newtown after it did not move for almost an hour.
"My trip from Lewisham to Central is usually 15 minutes but after 45 minutes the driver basically told us to get off at Newtown, as the delay was only getting worse," he said.
"All the information I had said that there was worse to come.
"If I can be honest, my boss is a good guy and is understanding, as this happens all the time."
A woman falls while people cram onto a train.
PHOTO A woman falls while people cram onto a train during peak hour mayhem. TWITTER: EMI
Platforms were packed with very little room to move and one passenger had fallen at North Strathfield Station while trying to board a full train.
Ubers prices had surged, with one commuter telling the ABC a 2.6 kilometre journey was priced to $66.
Outraged commuters demanded refunds on their trip.
"One train needs mechanical repairs and apparently shuts down the whole Sydney train system causing delays. How come I'm paying almost $10 a day for opal again?" wrote one Twitter user.
screenshot of timetable showing late trains
PHOTO The backlog on the Bankstown line was extensive this morning. SUPPLIED: TRIPVIEW
Mr Collins apologised for the inconvenience and admitted the system was "ancient".
He said because the loose hatch was close to overhead wires, power had to be isolated while crews conducted repairs.
"Because we've got a pretty ancient system, we have to send people down into tunnels to pull old-fashioned switches to turn the power off just at this platform," he said.
Mr Collins said a "huge investigation" would be undertaken as hatches rarely become loose due to attached safety catches, but the problem appeared to be "external".
"As everyone knows who was in the city last night, it was pretty windy, it could've been a branch or a rock," he said.
Posted about 5 hours ago
Sydney Trains chaos continues as commuters queue to enter city stations
Packed trains in Sydney after a day of cancellations and massive delays
VIDEO 0:10 Packed trains in Sydney after a day of delays and cancellations ABC NEWS
Dozens of commuters are queuing just to get onto platforms at Sydney's main train stations, as a day of chaos on Sydney's rail network continues.
Those trying to leave the city are now stuck in single-file queues to get on platforms at Central Station, as the city's train network grapples with cascading delays from this morning's meltdown.
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins said a loose hatch on a train that blocked a line at Town Hall this morning was to blame for the problem.
A track circuit failure at Central Station was also delaying the network's recovery, Mr Collins said.
Many commuters have expressed frustration at the delays and called for the today's fares to be refunded.
In a tweet tonight, Sydney Trains said it would assess requests for compensation "on a case-by-case basis".
Major disruptions continue to services on the T1, T2, T3, T8 and T9 lines and Mr Collins earlier urged commuters to leave for home earlier than normal.
"Just bear with us, but if you need to travel home tonight — if you've got an urgent appointment or you need to see your kids, look at some of the alternatives," he said.
"We're doing our best, but a big railway like this, with all the interconnections, may take some time."
Staff at Town Hall were limiting passengers' access to the platforms to avoid overcrowding, while at Wynyard commuters struggled to board train carriages that were already full.
One passenger, who did not wish to be named said after a full day of delays commuters seemed "confused and exhausted".
"I had to wait for multiple trains to leave because they were too packed to board," he said.
"I'm trying to get to Penrith but as far as I can tell they've cancelled every train to Penrith.
"There's a kid in my carriage crying that she needs to go to the bathroom but her and her mother are stuck on the train."
People crowd into a train carriage.
PHOTO Commuters cram onto a train at Wynyard. TWITTER: @RX4KID
Other commuters vented their frustration on social media, with some complaining of trains "randomly switching routes once people have boarded" and "no information on boards".
Others questioned how one troubled train could cause such a delay and have a huge knock-on effect.
This morning people around the city were told to get on buses to complete their journey, but the situation on them was not much better.
Queues for replacement bus services were seen extending for several blocks at many stations including Wynyard, Newtown and Rhodes.
A crowded platform of a train station.
PHOTO Central Station is already crowded as commuters try to avoid the afternoon peak. ABC NEWS: KEVIN NGUYEN
A gridlock with dozens of buses on the city side of the Harbour Bridge had only added to the chaos.
One commuter complained on social media they had been told to walk over the Harbour Bridge from Wynyard.
Repairs were completed at 9.00am.
Commuter Mick Bock got off a train at Newtown after it did not move for almost an hour.
A woman falls while people cram onto a train.
PHOTO A woman falls while people cram onto a train during peak hour mayhem. TWITTER: EMI
"My trip from Lewisham to Central is usually 15 minutes but after 45 minutes the driver basically told us to get off at Newtown, as the delay was only getting worse," he said.
"All the information I had said that there was worse to come.
"If I can be honest, my boss is a good guy and is understanding, as this happens all the time."
Platforms were packed with very little room to move and one passenger had fallen at North Strathfield Station while trying to board a full train.
Uber's prices had surged, with one commuter telling the ABC a 2.6 kilometre journey was priced to $66.
Outraged commuters demanded refunds on their trip.
"One train needs mechanical repairs and apparently shuts down the whole Sydney train system causing delays. How come I'm paying almost $10 a day for opal again?" wrote one Twitter user.
Mr Collins apologised for the inconvenience and admitted the system was "ancient".
He said because the loose hatch was close to overhead wires, power had to be isolated while crews conducted repairs.
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Video 0:55
Replacement buses have choked roads through Sydney's CBD.
ABC News
"Because we've got a pretty ancient system, we have to send people down into tunnels to pull old-fashioned switches to turn the power off just at this platform," he said.
Mr Collins said a "huge investigation" would be undertaken as hatches rarely become loose due to attached safety catches, but the problem appeared to be "external".
"As everyone knows who was in the city last night, it was pretty windy, it could've been a branch or a rock," he said.
Posted about 9 hours ago
Packed trains in Sydney after a day of cancellations and massive delays
VIDEO 0:10 Packed trains in Sydney after a day of delays and cancellations ABC NEWS
Dozens of commuters are queuing just to get onto platforms at Sydney's main train stations, as a day of chaos on Sydney's rail network continues.
Those trying to leave the city are now stuck in single-file queues to get on platforms at Central Station, as the city's train network grapples with cascading delays from this morning's meltdown.
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins said a loose hatch on a train that blocked a line at Town Hall this morning was to blame for the problem.
A track circuit failure at Central Station was also delaying the network's recovery, Mr Collins said.
Many commuters have expressed frustration at the delays and called for the today's fares to be refunded.
In a tweet tonight, Sydney Trains said it would assess requests for compensation "on a case-by-case basis".
Major disruptions continue to services on the T1, T2, T3, T8 and T9 lines and Mr Collins earlier urged commuters to leave for home earlier than normal.
"Just bear with us, but if you need to travel home tonight — if you've got an urgent appointment or you need to see your kids, look at some of the alternatives," he said.
"We're doing our best, but a big railway like this, with all the interconnections, may take some time."
Staff at Town Hall were limiting passengers' access to the platforms to avoid overcrowding, while at Wynyard commuters struggled to board train carriages that were already full.
One passenger, who did not wish to be named said after a full day of delays commuters seemed "confused and exhausted".
"I had to wait for multiple trains to leave because they were too packed to board," he said.
"I'm trying to get to Penrith but as far as I can tell they've cancelled every train to Penrith.
"There's a kid in my carriage crying that she needs to go to the bathroom but her and her mother are stuck on the train."
People crowd into a train carriage.
PHOTO Commuters cram onto a train at Wynyard. TWITTER: @RX4KID
Other commuters vented their frustration on social media, with some complaining of trains "randomly switching routes once people have boarded" and "no information on boards".
Others questioned how one troubled train could cause such a delay and have a huge knock-on effect.
This morning people around the city were told to get on buses to complete their journey, but the situation on them was not much better.
Queues for replacement bus services were seen extending for several blocks at many stations including Wynyard, Newtown and Rhodes.
A crowded platform of a train station.
PHOTO Central Station is already crowded as commuters try to avoid the afternoon peak. ABC NEWS: KEVIN NGUYEN
A gridlock with dozens of buses on the city side of the Harbour Bridge had only added to the chaos.
One commuter complained on social media they had been told to walk over the Harbour Bridge from Wynyard.
Repairs were completed at 9.00am.
Commuter Mick Bock got off a train at Newtown after it did not move for almost an hour.
A woman falls while people cram onto a train.
PHOTO A woman falls while people cram onto a train during peak hour mayhem. TWITTER: EMI
"My trip from Lewisham to Central is usually 15 minutes but after 45 minutes the driver basically told us to get off at Newtown, as the delay was only getting worse," he said.
"All the information I had said that there was worse to come.
"If I can be honest, my boss is a good guy and is understanding, as this happens all the time."
Platforms were packed with very little room to move and one passenger had fallen at North Strathfield Station while trying to board a full train.
Uber's prices had surged, with one commuter telling the ABC a 2.6 kilometre journey was priced to $66.
Outraged commuters demanded refunds on their trip.
"One train needs mechanical repairs and apparently shuts down the whole Sydney train system causing delays. How come I'm paying almost $10 a day for opal again?" wrote one Twitter user.
Mr Collins apologised for the inconvenience and admitted the system was "ancient".
He said because the loose hatch was close to overhead wires, power had to be isolated while crews conducted repairs.
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Video 0:55
Replacement buses have choked roads through Sydney's CBD.
ABC News
"Because we've got a pretty ancient system, we have to send people down into tunnels to pull old-fashioned switches to turn the power off just at this platform," he said.
Mr Collins said a "huge investigation" would be undertaken as hatches rarely become loose due to attached safety catches, but the problem appeared to be "external".
"As everyone knows who was in the city last night, it was pretty windy, it could've been a branch or a rock," he said.
Posted about 9 hours ago
Sydney Trains chaos continues as commuters struggle amid delays, crowding on trip home
Packed trains in Sydney after a day of cancellations and massive delays
VIDEO 0:10 Packed trains in Sydney after a day of delays and cancellations ABC NEWS
Commuters are battling to make their way home amid packed carriages and overcrowded platforms, as a day of chaos on Sydney's rail network continues.
Large crowds queued just to get onto platforms at Sydney's main train stations, as the city's train network grapples with cascading delays from this morning's meltdown.
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins said a loose hatch on a train that blocked a line at Town Hall this morning was to blame for the problem.
A track circuit failure at Central Station was also delaying the network's recovery, Mr Collins said.
Many commuters have expressed frustration at the delays and called for the today's fares to be refunded.
In a tweet tonight, Sydney Trains said it would assess requests for compensation "on a case-by-case basis".
Major disruptions continue to services on the T1, T2, T3, T8 and T9 lines and Mr Collins earlier urged commuters to leave for home earlier than normal.
"Just bear with us, but if you need to travel home tonight — if you've got an urgent appointment or you need to see your kids, look at some of the alternatives," he said.
"We're doing our best, but a big railway like this, with all the interconnections, may take some time."
Staff at Town Hall were limiting passengers' access to the platforms to avoid overcrowding, while those trying to enter Central Station were forced to queue in single-file lines.
At Wynyard, commuters struggled to board train carriages that were already full.
One commuter said a large crowd was waiting at Erskineville station for half an hour before staff thought to advise them that no trains were stopping there.
Another passenger, Sammii, said during her trip from Mascot to Macarthur she was crammed into a rail carriage after waiting for a train that was delayed for 45 minutes.
She said there was poor communication, and Sydney Trains should compensate by providing a day of free travel.
"I finally got on a train and literally I was hanging on to another person so I wouldn't fall out of the carriage.
"We were just crammed in, it was horrible … it was upstairs through the carriages … there were just people literally sitting on top of each other, standing on top of each other. It was bad."
Another passenger said after a full day of delays commuters seemed "confused and exhausted".
"I had to wait for multiple trains to leave because they were too packed to board," he said.
"I'm trying to get to Penrith but as far as I can tell they've cancelled every train to Penrith.
"There's a kid in my carriage crying that she needs to go to the bathroom but her and her mother are stuck on the train."
People crowd into a train carriage.
PHOTO Commuters cram onto a train at Wynyard. TWITTER: @RX4KID
Other commuters vented their frustration on social media, with some complaining of trains "randomly switching routes once people have boarded" and "no information on boards".
Others questioned how one troubled train could cause such a delay and have a huge knock-on effect.
This morning people around the city were told to get on buses to complete their journey, but the situation on them was not much better.
Queues for replacement bus services were seen extending for several blocks at many stations including Wynyard, Newtown and Rhodes.
A crowded platform of a train station.
PHOTO Central Station was crowded as commuters tried to avoid the afternoon peak. ABC NEWS: KEVIN NGUYEN
A gridlock with dozens of buses on the city side of the Harbour Bridge had only added to the chaos.
One commuter complained on social media they had been told to walk over the Harbour Bridge from Wynyard.
Repairs were completed at 9.00am.
Commuter Mick Bock got off a train at Newtown after it did not move for almost an hour.
A woman falls while people cram onto a train.
PHOTO A woman falls while people cram onto a train during peak hour mayhem. TWITTER: EMI
"My trip from Lewisham to Central is usually 15 minutes but after 45 minutes the driver basically told us to get off at Newtown, as the delay was only getting worse," he said.
"All the information I had said that there was worse to come.
"If I can be honest, my boss is a good guy and is understanding, as this happens all the time."
Platforms were packed with very little room to move and one passenger had fallen at North Strathfield Station while trying to board a full train.
Uber's prices had surged, with one commuter telling the ABC a 2.6 kilometre journey was priced to $66.
Outraged commuters demanded refunds on their trip.
"One train needs mechanical repairs and apparently shuts down the whole Sydney train system causing delays. How come I'm paying almost $10 a day for opal again?" wrote one Twitter user.
Mr Collins apologised for the inconvenience and admitted the system was "ancient".
He said because the loose hatch was close to overhead wires, power had to be isolated while crews conducted repairs.
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Video 0:55
Replacement buses have choked roads through Sydney's CBD.
ABC News
"Because we've got a pretty ancient system, we have to send people down into tunnels to pull old-fashioned switches to turn the power off just at this platform," he said.
Mr Collins said a "huge investigation" would be undertaken as hatches rarely become loose due to attached safety catches, but the problem appeared to be "external".
"As everyone knows who was in the city last night, it was pretty windy, it could've been a branch or a rock," he said.
Posted earlier today at 6:57am
Packed trains in Sydney after a day of cancellations and massive delays
VIDEO 0:10 Packed trains in Sydney after a day of delays and cancellations ABC NEWS
Commuters are battling to make their way home amid packed carriages and overcrowded platforms, as a day of chaos on Sydney's rail network continues.
Large crowds queued just to get onto platforms at Sydney's main train stations, as the city's train network grapples with cascading delays from this morning's meltdown.
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins said a loose hatch on a train that blocked a line at Town Hall this morning was to blame for the problem.
A track circuit failure at Central Station was also delaying the network's recovery, Mr Collins said.
Many commuters have expressed frustration at the delays and called for the today's fares to be refunded.
In a tweet tonight, Sydney Trains said it would assess requests for compensation "on a case-by-case basis".
Major disruptions continue to services on the T1, T2, T3, T8 and T9 lines and Mr Collins earlier urged commuters to leave for home earlier than normal.
"Just bear with us, but if you need to travel home tonight — if you've got an urgent appointment or you need to see your kids, look at some of the alternatives," he said.
"We're doing our best, but a big railway like this, with all the interconnections, may take some time."
Staff at Town Hall were limiting passengers' access to the platforms to avoid overcrowding, while those trying to enter Central Station were forced to queue in single-file lines.
At Wynyard, commuters struggled to board train carriages that were already full.
One commuter said a large crowd was waiting at Erskineville station for half an hour before staff thought to advise them that no trains were stopping there.
Another passenger, Sammii, said during her trip from Mascot to Macarthur she was crammed into a rail carriage after waiting for a train that was delayed for 45 minutes.
She said there was poor communication, and Sydney Trains should compensate by providing a day of free travel.
"I finally got on a train and literally I was hanging on to another person so I wouldn't fall out of the carriage.
"We were just crammed in, it was horrible … it was upstairs through the carriages … there were just people literally sitting on top of each other, standing on top of each other. It was bad."
Another passenger said after a full day of delays commuters seemed "confused and exhausted".
"I had to wait for multiple trains to leave because they were too packed to board," he said.
"I'm trying to get to Penrith but as far as I can tell they've cancelled every train to Penrith.
"There's a kid in my carriage crying that she needs to go to the bathroom but her and her mother are stuck on the train."
People crowd into a train carriage.
PHOTO Commuters cram onto a train at Wynyard. TWITTER: @RX4KID
Other commuters vented their frustration on social media, with some complaining of trains "randomly switching routes once people have boarded" and "no information on boards".
Others questioned how one troubled train could cause such a delay and have a huge knock-on effect.
This morning people around the city were told to get on buses to complete their journey, but the situation on them was not much better.
Queues for replacement bus services were seen extending for several blocks at many stations including Wynyard, Newtown and Rhodes.
A crowded platform of a train station.
PHOTO Central Station was crowded as commuters tried to avoid the afternoon peak. ABC NEWS: KEVIN NGUYEN
A gridlock with dozens of buses on the city side of the Harbour Bridge had only added to the chaos.
One commuter complained on social media they had been told to walk over the Harbour Bridge from Wynyard.
Repairs were completed at 9.00am.
Commuter Mick Bock got off a train at Newtown after it did not move for almost an hour.
A woman falls while people cram onto a train.
PHOTO A woman falls while people cram onto a train during peak hour mayhem. TWITTER: EMI
"My trip from Lewisham to Central is usually 15 minutes but after 45 minutes the driver basically told us to get off at Newtown, as the delay was only getting worse," he said.
"All the information I had said that there was worse to come.
"If I can be honest, my boss is a good guy and is understanding, as this happens all the time."
Platforms were packed with very little room to move and one passenger had fallen at North Strathfield Station while trying to board a full train.
Uber's prices had surged, with one commuter telling the ABC a 2.6 kilometre journey was priced to $66.
Outraged commuters demanded refunds on their trip.
"One train needs mechanical repairs and apparently shuts down the whole Sydney train system causing delays. How come I'm paying almost $10 a day for opal again?" wrote one Twitter user.
Mr Collins apologised for the inconvenience and admitted the system was "ancient".
He said because the loose hatch was close to overhead wires, power had to be isolated while crews conducted repairs.
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Video 0:55
Replacement buses have choked roads through Sydney's CBD.
ABC News
"Because we've got a pretty ancient system, we have to send people down into tunnels to pull old-fashioned switches to turn the power off just at this platform," he said.
Mr Collins said a "huge investigation" would be undertaken as hatches rarely become loose due to attached safety catches, but the problem appeared to be "external".
"As everyone knows who was in the city last night, it was pretty windy, it could've been a branch or a rock," he said.
Posted earlier today at 6:57am
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