There are widespread issues on the rail and roads networks today due to flooding and extreme weather. People who need to travel are urged to leave plenty of additional time and plan ahead, as impacts are expected for the remainder of the day.
This is a fast-moving situation, rail passengers are advised to check www.transportnsw.info or live travel apps, and motorists are advised to check www.livetraffic.com before travelling.
Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink passengers travelling on the T8 Airport & South, and Central Coast & Newcastle Lines, are advised to avoid non-essential travel as heavy rain is causing localised flooding on the rail network.
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said, “We have emergency crews deployed across the network to address rising flood waters. We are monitoring key locations and intervening to reduce impacts to passenger services.”
Passengers on the T8 Airport & South Line between Revesby and Turrella, and the Central Coast Line between Newcastle and Morrisett are advised to seek alternative travel if possible as buses are replacing trains.
10 replacement buses are in operation between Revesby and Turrella to assist with passenger movements due to flooding between Bardwell Park and Bexley North.
Trains in or near the affected area will stop on platforms or between stations for longer than normal while the incident is ongoing. Trains departing Macarthur heading to the city will be diverted via other lines to the city.
On the Central Coast & Newcastle Line, Cockle Creek has continued to flood, with water over the rail and affecting signal equipment.
Between Kotara and Cardiff, there has been a substantial landslip. We have crews on the ground now assessing the damage.
Buses are replacing trains from Newcastle to Morrisett and Wyong in both directions.
Passengers on the T2 Leppington & T3 Liverpool and Inner West, T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Lines, Hunter Line, Southern Highlands Line and South Coast Lines are also seeing impacts from the extreme weather.
Hunter Line
Sandgate is flooded, we have limited buses replacing train services between Maitland, Dungog and Scone. Nine buses are in operation.
Southern Highlands Line
Train services are currently suspended between Picton and Moss Vale in both directions due to reports of flooding near Mittagong. Shuttle trains are operating between Campbelltown and Picton.
South Coast Line
At Helensburgh the rainfall monitors there are in warning mode, we are watching this, trains are being warned and slowing down through the area, resulting in minor delays.
T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra
Trains are experiencing minor delays due to water over the track earlier at Oatley, minor delays in both directions as a result.
T2 Leppington & T3 Liverpool and Inner West Lines
Passengers on these lines are experiencing flow on delays and some service gaps travelling away from the city, due to the flooding on the T8.
Blue Mountains
A failed freight train on the Blue Mountains line has been removed but passengers may experience some flow-on delays.
Roads
There are widespread impacts across the road network, with several major closures in place on the Mid North Coast, in the Hunter and across parts of Sydney.
In addition to state managed roads, many local roads managed by councils are also affected.
Floodwater is extremely dangerous, especially for drivers. If the road is flooded, forget it. Roads can close and reopen at short notice. Motorists should continue to avoid non-essential travel in flood-affected areas and visit www.livetraffic.com for the latest information.
Vivid Sydney
Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins said, “If you are heading in tonight to see Vivid Sydney please allow plenty of extra travel time and check your transport apps before heading out.
“The city is no place for cars during Vivid Sydney with road closures and parking restrictions in place each night on roads around the Harbour and surrounding Vivid Sydney precincts.”
For the latest public transport information, visit www.transportnsw.info or download a live travel app like the Opal app.