Look at the image above. That’s the opposite of how Sydney’s train stations looked yesterday.
Sydney’s train system hasn’t been great for a very long time, but if yesterday’s pandemonium is anything to go by, people are pretty much done with the whole thing – and took to Twitter to let us all know about it.
This was in Gordon, where buses were called in to replace cancelled services.
Gordon station. That crowd runs all the way out of the station into the replacement bus queues. Am I the only one who thinks this level of overcrowding is dangerous? #SydneyTrains pic.twitter.com/H7eFgqO2JF
— Anita (@EvilxMidget) January 9, 2018
Meanwhile, plenty of folks were calling on the NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance, to resign.
Hey @AndrewConstance I hope you’re stepping down from your job as transport minister, the state of #sydneytrains is appalling. Delays EVERY DAY, terrible timetable, non air conditioned trains on 40 degree days, enough is enough.
— Igor J (@igzzz84) January 8, 2018
Mate @AndrewConstance do the honorable thing and resign
— Minimum Viable Choc (@noreasonspec) January 9, 2018
My mum an hour late for work this morning from Meadowbank to Guildford more #SydneyTrain cancellation, what a shambolic joke, I start work next Week if it happen to me I will go nuts, what a disgrace this stupid Liberal government. Please resign @AndrewConstance @LiberalNSW
— David Li (@Dave2307) January 10, 2018
Some were, understandably, calling on Opal to issue refunds to customers for all the delays.
I assume you will be refunding everyone’s opal card spend on trains both yesterday and today? We pay you to provide a service and you haven’t provided one – end of story. When should I expect a full refund? #SydneyTrains
— James Clay (@jamesroyclay) January 9, 2018
Channel 9’s NSW political reporter, Chris O’Keefe, confirmed that there would be no refunds for affected customers.
Transport Minister confirms there will be NO refunds on Opal fares on Sydney Trains over the last 48 hours. @9NewsSyd #nswpol
— Chris O’Keefe (@cokeefe9) January 9, 2018
People were stranded on platforms for hours with little updates on progress.
#SydneyTrains view at 7.30pm, no trains have arrived and crowding is becoming dangerous. No updates on trains to Beverly Hills. Absolutely ridiculous. Government should be ashamed. Sydney cannot be a world city with these issues. pic.twitter.com/mPi9ketr4g
— Chloe Alyce (@_chloealyce) January 9, 2018
As someone who dislikes crowds, just looking at these images makes me nervous.
Had enough with #SydneyTrains. We pay the most expensive fare in the world, enjoy the worst infrastructure service. Someone need to do something. @AndrewConstance pic.twitter.com/ZAQIOx7k3Y
— bonniehuang (@bonniehuang01) January 9, 2018
Even the train crew’s had had enough.
“We apologise as a train crew. We do not apologise for management’s stuff up”
I love you, Guard. Don’t let the bastards grind you down.#SydneyTrains
— Dave The Happy Singer (@HappySinger) January 9, 2018
Finger’s crossed that everything holds up better today, but it’s clear there are some pretty serious long-term problems that need to be taken care of, as noted by these particularly damning tweets from someone claming to be the brother of a Sydney train driver.
2/ My brother is a Sydney Trains driver, so this is first-hand knowledge. Sydney Trains have been severely understaffed for over a year. Not enough new drivers and train crew have been trained during this period as a cost-saving measure by the current government and middle mgt.
— Marina (@HappyNacho73) January 9, 2018
3/ Due to these severe staff shortages, all Standby and Swinger drivers and crew are working to cover sick staff and those on holidays/leave. These Standby and Swinger crew are essential to keep trains going for a number of reasons: drivers/crew being either sick or late to start
— Marina (@HappyNacho73) January 9, 2018
4/ or due to incidents/breakdowns on the network. With these specific staff already working, there are NO other emergency staff to run the trains when needed. Think about that. These drivers are working beyond their limits to keep the network running.
— Marina (@HappyNacho73) January 9, 2018
What a bloody nightmare. Did you have trouble getting home last night?