The Wire

Rail commuters in Sydney have been at the mercy of particularly bad management all this year – with trains delayed so often – that although it’s no longer a surprise when a train is late – it’s certainly no less frustrating. The Carr government in NSW has repeatedly tried to shift the responsibility for the grave mismanagement of this service with Transport Minister Michael Costa saying that a shortage of train drivers was the initial cause of the problem. But his plan of cutting 1000 weekend services 4 months ago to improve the frequency and reliability of weekday peak-hour services hasn’t worked. One commuter has decided to take a stand next Monday by urging all passengers not to buy tickets on that day. Michael Costa and Railcorp have got their respective knickers in a twist about the idea and are telling train guards to fine passengers without tickets – while the union is sticking up for rail staff and supporting the fare-free day. Cinnamon Nippard spoke to organiser of the protest and one angry commuter Rebecca Turner.

Shityrail
Institute for Sustainable Futures: Our Public Transport Report
Railcorp