Sydney train passengers urged to allow extra travel time, with rail ...

Sydney's train passengers have faced delays due to planned industrial action and rail workers electing not to work.

Late on Thursday night, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) confirmed that its negotiations with the government had fallen through.

The union advised that its industrial action — where trains are expected to run 23 kilometres an hour slower than usual — would now go ahead as planned.

It's expected the industrial action will continue until Wednesday week.

Impacts are expected for all lines, with Sydney's inner-city services predicted to be the most affected, alongside no train services for the South Coast line.

According to Sydney Trains, 465 train services have been cancelled so far, which accounts for about a quarter of total services.

The T2 and T8 lines were facing "particular impacts".

According to one commuter, there were hundreds of people stranded on Sydney's Central station, with minimal staff and announcements being made.

There have also been some frustrations with commuters heading to Sydney airport.

Three buses are running between Wollongong and Kiama and one bus running between Kiama and Bomaderry to help move passengers.

Transport Minister John Graham said more than 350 train staff did not turn up to to work.

He said the government would be lodging applications in the Fair Work Commission in a bid to stop the strike.

The RTBU's NSW Secretary Toby Warnes advised that the train disruptions were centred around 5,000 "lockout" notices, also known as 471 notices, issued to Sydney Trains and NSW Trains workers last week, in response to proposed industrial action, that came into effect at midnight for the length of the industrial action.

Those notices, Mr Warnes argued, directed workers to either come into work and complete their full duties or not come into work at all.

'F--k the network up'

Prior to the train delays, both text messages and posts on social media appeared to advise workers to stay at home on Friday if possible, with the text message obtained by the ABC signed by an RTBU convenor.

"Let's f--k the network up."

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Warnes distanced himself from this messaging, saying no formal direction was given to any of the RTBU members and that the union does not seek to control its delegates.

"We instructed our members what their rights were, what their obligations were, what would happen if they didn't go to work. That's what we do," he said.

"None of these text messages would exist if the government hadn't issued 5,000 lockout notices to 5,000 individual employees."

Issues at the centre of Sydney trains negotiations collapse

According to a NSW government spokesperson, negotiations collapsed after the RTBU suddenly pushed for a $4,500 bonus payment for every rail worker, something the union disputes.

Mr Warnes said the state government had agreed to the $4,500 payment in its last enterprise agreement.

"The nature of enterprise agreements is that once something goes in, either party has to bargain to either improvement or take it out."

The transport minister also acknowledged the "key issue" in negotiations was the one-off $4,500 sign on bonus.

Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said the government had been sent a text message asking about the sign on bonus on Wednesday night amidst negotiations.

"This is the first time that that has been raised in the negotiations," he said.

Mr Murray said the sign on bonus would cost the government $60 million in total.

Mr Graham said the government had put forward "a fair offer" and was still open to negotiations.

"The concern here is, if the government agreed to this most recent demand, when would this end?" Mr Graham said.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said today's industrial action was a "bad faith move" from the union.

"I think what they're saying to the public and what they're saying to the government and what they're saying to the courts is clearly very different to what they're saying to their own members."

'Industrial action can be unpredictable'

Transport for NSW urged commuters to check latest travel updates online before embarking on their journey.

A NSW government spokesperson said it's currently looking at its options including urgent legal action, adding that there is a "fair and reasonable pay offer on the table" for rail workers.

Sydney Trains CEO Matthew Longland urged commuters to find alternate modes of transport, especially if passengers are heading to the airport, and to use travel apps.

Sydney Trains Executive Director Rail Operations Jas Tumber said the delays could extend into the weekend.

Discussions on the new enterprise agreement will continue ahead of a Fair Work Commission hearing on Monday.