If you are a Sydneysider, you are no stranger to train delays. If anything, they have become an expectation of your daily commute.
But this morning’s network collapse might have pushed us over the edge.
At 5:20am a train broke down at Town Hall station in the CBD (aka probably the second busiest, if not the busiest, station in the network) that’s caused some hectic delays. We’re talking, up to 2 hours. We’re talking, people still haven’t started their days.
Why? Because there was a “loose hatch on top of a train [that] is close to overhead wiring” so electrical crews have to isolate power from the track to fix it.
Initially, the glitch led to the closure of the North Shore line between Town Hall and North Sydney and commuters were encouraged to walk across the Harbour Bridge instead. Thank you, next. Have you been outside this morning?
From there, basically, every other line was cooked because of what a bloody inconvenience a bloody breakdown of the bloody network at this bloody station would bloody be.
I mean, look at this madness.
#sydneytrains this line weaves around to Kent St (two blocks) pic.twitter.com/XVVmcMbks3
— lou (@sydneyapprentic) August 22, 2019
#sydneytrains No one’s getting on! Trains full four hours after a breakdown. Newcastle intercity turned into an all station pic.twitter.com/2GIRWzJ4Bg
— Doon’n’Jen (@doonnjen) August 22, 2019
But it’s amazing how a disaster can bring people together. And in true cynical Sydney spirit, this one has brought some of the city’s human spirit out to play. Twitter blew up, some straight up ripping into our dope Premier, and others the network. Some ripped into crying babies, while some of them were just being absolute funny buggers, and some seemed to be experiencing an existential crisis mid-commute. But most of them were just too damn relatable.
Should have prepared some food and water with me before broading #sydneytrains let’s see what I have…..at least I have 3 sweet potatoes with me, I guess I can survive for a few days
— Gloria Chu (@GloriaLOTR) August 22, 2019
someone in my carriage just about to blow another hatch off the roof oofta #sydneytrains
— NOON (@nunez_m8) August 22, 2019
Developing countries need to see the loopholes in the public transport system of developed countries. This is certainly not an amazing transport system. One train wreck causes a stop in the entire #sydneycbd. That’s how bad #sydneytrains is. pic.twitter.com/ZJFK8CIJvf
— Mandeep Singh (@mandeep7987) August 22, 2019
Been on #sydneytrains so long this morning we’ve formed a dystopian society. #snowpiercer pic.twitter.com/ZxOfPggtzp
— Mabristow (@Mabristow) August 22, 2019
Me catching #sydneytrains this morning pic.twitter.com/bjNSeLySYQ
— Amy McCann (@amybythewindow) August 22, 2019
#sydneytrains
Thomas did not like what he saw in Sydney pic.twitter.com/EYY8QiITL3— Lannistertron (@sirenywitch) August 22, 2019
Just goes to show if a butterfly flaps its wings in Town Hall the @GladysB #sydneytrains network collapses. ?
— Antfarmer (@antfarmer) August 22, 2019
If #sydneytrains can whack passengers with a fine for not paying the correct fair, then we should be able to fine them back for fucking up our day
— MystifiedMe (@MystifiedMe1) August 22, 2019
If #sydneytrains refunded me for every delay I probably wouldn’t need a tax return.
— Michael Kiossev (@mikeyninety) August 22, 2019
Welcome to Sydney. If it rains the trains stop. If it’s too hot the trains stop. Electrical work at Town Hall station – THE WHOLE DAMN NETWORK STOPS #SydneyTrains https://t.co/J5vXFsAhqB
— Maddalena Scordia (@MaddiScordia) August 22, 2019
so, #sydneytrains huh? at Wynyard staff told our entire train to disembark, then told everyone to get back on. now we’re just…sitting here pic.twitter.com/cFvoj8KCib
— sam langford (@_slangers) August 22, 2019
I’ve been on this train for so long now. Was there ever a time when I *wasn’t* in carriage 1515? The memories are hazy. This is my home now. I live here. #sydneytrains
— Chloe Barber-Hancock (@wordnerdchloe) August 22, 2019
#sydneytrains just a regular morning in Sydney… Thanks pic.twitter.com/02VkpI1CP9
— SamSamSam (@SammySammySame) August 22, 2019
And the pièce de résistance of this masterpiece symphony of discontent:
Me: wow busy day today might head into the office and get a head start on things!!!
Sydney trains: pic.twitter.com/DpNvBiKWtt— Harrison Cartwright (@hazandstuff) August 22, 2019
Love your work, Sydney. Don’t let shit transport networks get you down!
Image Source: Twitter, GIPHY
