Commuters are being urged to ‘avoid travel’ on Sydney‘s train network as major delays and cancellations cause widespread chaos.
The network came to an abrupt standstill on Tuesday afternoon after a passing train became entangled in fallen high-voltage wires suspended above the tracks near Strathfield station in Sydney’s inner-west, which triggered a power outage.
Major disruptions across the train network have continued into this morning, with buses still replacing trains on several lines throughout the city.
Transport for NSW warned commuters early Wednesday that significant delays and cancellations would continue to plague Sydney’s rail services throughout the day, including the T1, T2, and T3 lines.
‘Passengers planning on travelling on the rail network this morning are advised to avoid travel or use alternative transport if possible,’ Transport for NSW said.
‘If you need to travel on the network there will be limited shuttles operating.
‘If passengers must travel, plan ahead and allow extra travel time. We have trains running on all lines, but at a reduced frequency.
‘Sydney Trains teams have been working hard overnight and have removed a defective train and completed repairs to the overhead wiring that caused major disruption on the rail network yesterday.’
Commuters are being urged to ‘avoid travel’ on the Sydney train network as significant delays and cancellations continue to plague the network after a train became entangled with live wires
About 22 bus services will be supplementing trains between Lidcombe and Ashfield from 6am.
‘Sydney Trains apologises again to passengers for the inconvenience of the continuing disruption,’ Transport for NSW said.
‘It’s expected the work will be completed later this morning and we will look to transition to normal timetabled services for the afternoon peak services.’
About 300 passengers on board the packed train hit by live wires were stranded for three hours before they were evacuated by carriages one by one.
NSW Transport Minister John Graham described the situation as dangerous and life-threatening as a 1500-volt power connector was sitting on top of the train.
This is a very serious incident, right in the heart of Sydney’s train network,’ Mr Graham told ABC News.
Mr Graham said the train’s pantograph collided with overhead wires, causing the damage.
Footage showed impacted passengers being escorted off the train and walking along the tracks to safety.
About 300 passengers on board the packed train hit by live wires (pictured)
The power outage caused three other trains to come to a halt, with staff arriving on site to evacuate the passengers.
Strathfield is a major interchange for multiple lines, with the incident affecting every line on the Sydney metro except for the T4 line.
The Metro, light rail and local buses weren’t impacted.
Crews will be making final checks on Wednesday morning before restarting power over six tracks at Homebush and commencing operations.
