NSW train chaos could continue tomorrow, commuters warned to 'avoid rail travel'

NSW's passenger train shutdown could continue into tomorrow, with unions and the state government still at loggerheads and commuters being warned to avoid rail travel.

Speaking shortly before 5pm, Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland — who made the decision to cancel all services today — said: "We are absolutely focused on resolving this."

"We have been at the Fair Work Commission all day today, and we will work into the evening if that's required to look at what we can do to get trains running again tomorrow across Sydney."

While he said he did not want a repeat of today's complete shutdown, Mr Longland told people to "avoid rail travel if you can" tomorrow.

Mr Longland's warning came after a day of drama on the state's train network.

Earlier, a war of words erupted between NSW's rail union and the state government, who accused each other of being behind the shutdown. 

It came after a breakdown in negotiations in the Fair Work Commission on Sunday night, when government lawyers tried to prevent the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) taking protected industrial action today.

Transport Minister David Elliott said the actions of the union were "nothing short of industrial bastardry".

"The people of NSW are rightfully upset today because the union movement has decided they are going to play silly games at short notice and put our services at risk," Mr Elliott said.

"This is not anything but a part of the Labor Party's campaign to bully the electorate into supporting their election. I don't think the people of New South Wales are going to buy it."

The RTBU denied rail workers were at fault and blamed the government for shutting down the network to "make a point".

RTBU NSW Secretary, Alex Claassens, said staff turned up to work this morning prepared to take part in low-level protected industrial action, which would not have impacted commuters, only to be told by management that trains would not be running today. 

Mr Claassens said the decision to shut down the network was the "most low and dastardly thing you can ever imagine a government doing".

"I just want to make the point straight up, we are not on strike, this is not a strike," he said.

"We're ready to work.

"They blocked out their workforce and they've inconvenienced the people of NSW."

Mr Elliott said the decision to close the network was made by Transport for NSW and was an "operational matter".

Transport for NSW is a state government agency, which Mr Elliott ultimately has responsibility for as minister.

"On what world would we be living if governments deliberately decided they were going to stop and inconvenience commuters on the day universities go back and the day foreign travellers return," Mr Elliott said.

Christopher Edwards has been stranded at Central Station, waiting to get home to the Central Coast after trains were cancelled.

Mr Edwards said he finished work at 5am and has been waiting for five hours for someone to pick him up.

"It felt like the movie, The Terminal. I felt a bit stuck, and I had nowhere to go," he said.

Mr Edwards said it's too expensive to catch a cab or an Uber home and is cheaper for his mother to drive 90 minutes from Woy Woy to pick him up.

"I will just give her the money for petrol."

Adam Johnson finished his 12-hour overnight shift as a security guard at 7am this morning.

As he arrived at Central Station, the Blue Mountains resident was told there was not a single train that could take him home. 

"I've asked all these Sydney trains people — how do I get home? No-one's got answers," he said.

"No-one really seems to care how it's actually affecting people." 

Mr Johnson's wife will now have to make the 3-hour round trip from the blue mountains to the CBD to pick him up and take him home. 

Georgia King and Saffron Scott travelled down from Newcastle to Sydney for a weekend getaway, but are now trapped in the city. 

The two girls said they were "pretty disappointed" they now have to cop the cost of an extra night of accommodation or a coach back to Newcastle. 

"Trying to get a hotel for the night or extra transport like Ubers … It's gonna be so much more expensive," Ms King said. 

Sydney resident Barbara Rose was planning on staying with her sister for a few months in the town of Junee near Wagga Wagga. 

However, as Ms Rose arrived at Central Station early this morning, she was shocked to find the luggage office was closed. 

"[The strike] has affected me big time," she said.

"I was quite shocked not to see a lot of people and not to see trains run," she said. 

Today's developments are the latest chapter in a lengthy dispute between the state government and the rail union over a new enterprise agreement.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said he was "incredibly disappointed".

"This is no accident. It's a concerted campaign by the unions and the Labor Party to cause mass disruption across our city," he said.

Mr Perrottet said the government had been negotiating with unions in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC).

"It was called back on Sunday, and they [the unions] didn't even turn up," Mr Perrottet said.

"This is a coordinated, concerted attack on our system here in Sydney."

The NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns has accused the state government of engaging in "disingenuous" negotiations with the rail union.

“You’ve got instead inflaming the situation from the Transport Minister,” Mr Minns said. 

“Pouring petrol on a combustible situation and refusing really to talk and fix this situation.”

Mr Claassens said members had only taken strike action twice since the previous agreement expired in May. 

"Other than that we've been put on a range of bans and limitations which makes life difficult for management, we get that," he said.

"But at the end of the day our members have got a right to negotiate a fair enterprise agreement.

"It's always been about safety issues, about protections against privatisation."

It was believed a deal had been struck with the RTBU that would minimise disruption this week.

However, last night the RTBU withdrew from negotiations following a disagreement, leaving Sydney Trains and NSW Train Link unable to safely operate train services.

Transport for NSW Secretary Rob Sharp said that, while additional buses would be available, the industrial action had left little time for people to make alternative plans.

"We are doing everything possible to minimise the impact to commuters and sincerely apologise to everyone inconvenienced by this industrial action," Mr Sharp said.

"This was a difficult decision to make but we cannot, and will not, compromise on safety." 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the union had thrown Sydney "into complete chaos".

"All I know about the unions today is in my home city of Sydney, they have shut down the city with a massive big strike and they're the international gateway for international tourists to Australia and the union movement has decided to set up a big welcome by shutting down the trains and causing gridlock around the city," Mr Morrison said.

Commuters have been urged to avoid travel wherever possible, use alternatives modes of transport and allow extra time for trips.

The closure of the rail network comes on the same day as the re-opening of the international border with more than 20 overseas flights expected to touch down at Sydney Airport today.