Following yesterday’s chaos on Sydney’s train network, the Opposition is calling on the Minns Government to implement a fare free day next Monday to apologise to impacted commuters.
In February 2022 then Opposition Leader Chris Minns supported providing a fare free Monday following a shutdown of the train network during a period of negotiations with trade unions. [1]
Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward said “the Premier and Transport Minister need to step up and be accountable for what occurred yesterday”.
In February 2022 responding to similar incident Transport Minister Jo Haylen commented:
“The lights are out across our train network, and they are also out in the Transport Minister’s office,”
“It’s clear there is no accountability. No one knows who’s in charge and passengers are yet again paying the price.”[2]
Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward continued:
“In the past week we have seen the Premier and Transport Minister on leave with looming industrial action hanging over the State, the transport system grind to a halt and no one from the Government bothering to front up and provide answers on what they plan to do about it,” Ms Ward said.
“The Transport Minister launched a review promising to ‘fix’ Sydney trains, yet all we have seen is commuters inconvenienced and now the train system unable to function as a result of a single person phoning in sick.”
“The job of Government is to ensure the trains run on time, not issue press releases and reviews, The Government has a lot to answer for.”