As part of their action, railroad workers on Tuesday limited train speeds to 60 km / h, prompting further disruption to long-distance intercity and regional services.
Some services on the T2 Inner West and Leppington, T3 Bankstown and T8 Airport and South lines were delayed until one hour on Tuesday morning.
RTBU Secretary General of State Alex Claassens said the dispute had dragged on for so long that only the Prime Minister could resolve it.
“If the prime minister is taken seriously to try to resolve the situation, please contact us. We are more than happy to try to find a solution to the dispute,” he said.
“I think the only person who can now intervene and resolve the current crisis would be the Prime Minister himself. It is in his hands.”
Loading
Claassens said he understood the train network had operated relatively smoothly on Tuesday as his union engaged in some industrial measures, but warned of more serious disruptions later this week.
“While it has caused some inconvenience, the trains have been able to run reasonably well. Friday will obviously be harder, it won’t be nice,” he said.
Transport for NSW said there was minimal overcrowding on trains on Tuesday morning despite longer journey times, less frequent services and changes in stop patterns as a result of industrial action.
The interruption of training services on Tuesday coincided with a strike by nurses and midwives, which will be followed on Thursday by teachers from public and Catholic schools.
The state transportation agency has warned that industrial actions planned by railroad workers on Thursday and Friday are likely to reduce rush hour services by up to 75 percent.
The union has also threatened to repeat the ban on operating foreign-built trains, which account for 75 percent of the state’s passenger fleet, on Wednesday and Friday next week.
Opposition transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen said the government should listen to the concerns of railway workers and make changes to the long-distance fleet.
“The chaos facing passengers on our train network this week is the Prime Minister’s responsibility. None of this should have happened,” he said.
Our breaking news alert will let you know of important breaking news when they happen. Get it here.