r/SydneyTrains • u/sasquatch6197 • 6h ago
r/SydneyTrains • u/VastOption8705 • 16h ago
They backflipped on the changes to the timetable
r/SydneyTrains • u/AutoModerator • 23d ago
Monthly Thread - October 2026
Monthly Thread - FAQs & Discussions
Anything related to employment, late running or general discussion should be posted in this thread.
Disclaimer
This sub is NOT AFFILIATED with The NSW Government, TfNSW, or Sydney Trains. You should provide feedback directly to them at Transport NSW Feedback .
General FAQs
I've been overcharged by Opal, what do I do?
- You need to contact Opal to request an adjustment / refund. This typically takes 24 hours.
Do Suburban trains have toilets?
- The Suburban trains do not have toilets on them. The OSCARS ( H Set) do have them however they are locked off when operating within the Suburban Network. (Note: While some OSCARS are now part of the Suburban Sets, they haven't all had their toilets removed yet)
Where can I apply to work for Sydney Trains?
- The I work for NSW page has regular job postings for Trainee Driver, Trainee Guard, CSA, Cleaner and more.
How do I see what train / type is running?
Why is there a Waratah going towards Newcastle?
- Both Millenniums (M Set) and Waratahs (A/B Sets) will travel either under their own power or loco hauled up the Main North to Cardiff where they undergo heavy maintenance that cannot be completed in Sydney.
Are quiet carriages not a thing anymore? Why don't people respect them?
- Quiet carriages on the Suburban Network are not a thing. On the intercity side they do exist however the general population don't always adhere to it. Yes, it is very frustrating, but there are worse things to be upset about.
What is happening with the K Sets ?
- They will run October 3 - 5 as an event by TFNSW.
The platform indicators are upside down, why?
- Occasionally they do get messed up, either through human error or software glitches.
What are some good Trainspotting locations?
- Passenger trains: Central, Redfern, Strathfield, Lidcombe
- Freight trains: Concord West, Homebush, Flemington, Sydenham, Rhodes
Trainee Driver/Guard/Misc FAQs
What can I do to prepare for video / panel interviews?
- Research the STAR method online and practice in front of a mirror at home to so on the day you aren't as nervous. SPACE behaviours is another subject to look up as it is part of the Sydney Trains corporate plan.
I've applied for a role but it says talent pool, what does this mean?
- While you may get through all the application process and pass the medical, it does not guarantee you have a position yet. It is highly recommended you not leave your previous job until you've got a start date in writing. Many people are in the talent pool and you can be waiting weeks, months or even a year for a position to become available.
What does the Vieple (Video Interview) contain?
- The Vieple Video interview usually contains a set of different questions, each giving 30 second prep and 60 seconds to record a response.
- No, you cannot redo these. It is important you practice ahead of time.
- No, the questions aren't the same for each interview.
What can I do to help prepare for interviews / general advice for any role?
- Focus around safety, communication, people skills, problem solving and dealing with failure (resolution). Dress professionally (smart/office wear) for your interviews as well as your video portions.
What does the typical schedule for a Trainee Driver look like?
- Day Zero (Your first day): Orientation at Petersham and general introductions / get to know you.
- Month 1 to 2 (approx): Typically 0800 to 1600 at Petersham in a classroom environment. Will consist of theory, practical and simulator use. Exams are both written and practical.
- Month 3 to 13 (approx): Assigned with a Driver Trainer each fortnight, rotating to a different trainer every fortnight. You work from their Depot and shift times. This means you are required to travel across the network to commence work. (Note: A list of the Depots is listed below) After you have completed each Sector, you will be required to complete both written and practical exams.
- Final stage: Once you have finished all 3 Sectors and passed all exams, you will need to pass a final practical assessment. This is over a 2 day period, it will include everything you've learned throughout training. You MUST pass this exam in order to become a Qualified Driver.
What happens once you become a Qualified Driver / Guard?
- After taking up, you will be placed at Central Depot and allocated a Line Number. Each fortnight you will rotate through the various lines and work the associated times and days of that line. This is known as a "Swinger". (Note: See below for more information about Rostering/Lines)
What are the medical requirements for Train Crew?
- You need to be able to pass a CAT 1 Medical for Driver or a CAT 2 Medical for Guard, there is information online for what this involves. Sleep apnea is now a more common talking point as the national guidelines for rail safety work has been updated.
How long do you typically wait after completing the medical?
- This can takes days or weeks depending on how busy things are. It is also done through a 3rd party which can impact time.
Does having pre-planned holidays affect training/talent pool?
- You will need to disclose any holidays you've got pre-planned before starting training. This may affect your start date. Discuss this with your hiring coordinator.
What are the different Unions and are they worth joining?
- RTBU – Operational Rail/Tram/Bus, focus on pay/safety/conditions
- ETU – Electricians/Signallers, Training/Support
- PSA – Admin/Back-office roles, pay/conditions
- PA – Engineers/Designers/Surveyors, professional advocacy
- Most people join (90–95%), typically from Day Zero at Petersham.
- Benefits: support person, legal representation, picnic day, workplace allowances, employee travel card (specific to RTBU).
Typically Day Zero at Petersham there will be an info session with a union delegate where you can ask questions and join if you desire so.
Qualified Driver/Guard FAQs
What are the Sectors / Depots of the Suburban Network?
- The Suburban Network is divided up into 3 Sectors. There are 13 Train Crew Depots spread across the Network. See below;
| Sector | Area | Depots |
|---|---|---|
| Sector 1 | Illawarra, Eastern Suburbs | Mortdale, Cronulla, Waterfall |
| Sector 2 | City, Inner West, SouthWest | Auburn, Flemington, Leppington, Campbelltown |
| Sector 3 | North & West | North Sydney, Hornsby, Blacktown, Richmond, Penrith |
| All Sectors | Suburban Network | Central |
What are the penalty rates / loading for working specific times / days?
| Day | Loading | O/T (1st 2nd) Shift | O/T (3rd 4th Shift) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 100% | +50% | +100% |
| Saturday | 150% | +50% | +50% |
| Sunday | 200% | +50% | +50% |
| Shift Work Loading | When |
|---|---|
| Early Morning Shift | Commences at or between 0400 and 0530 |
| Afternoon Shift | Commences after 1000 and concludes after 1800 |
| Night Shift | Commences at or between 1800 and 0359 |
How does rostering work once I'm qualified?
- After you have taken up, you will be based at Central Depot as a Swinger. You are allocated a line and then work the times of that line as per the Master Roster. Each fortnight you rotate through each line and follow the times / workings of said line. Each line for a swinger has a time on the Master Roster, eg 1000 SBY, however when receiving your actual fortnightly roster, this can swing +/- 2 hours. So you could be starting 0814 one day and 1157 the next.
Can I swap lines / shifts?
- Yes, you can; however, this is all coordinated privately between crew then pending approval by Rosters at Burwood.
How do transfer work?
- Transfers within the Suburban & Intercity Depots are all based off of Seniority. This mean those who have been on the job longer have the higher priority when applying for depot transfers. Each year you can apply for one or more depots. Based off of how many open positions at any given time in the year, they work down the list of those who have their name down for it and offer them the position. Some depots, like Waterfall and Blacktown, have extremely long waiting times due to their popularity and limited positions. (Note: There is no fixed time period, it all fluxuates based on positions available)
r/SydneyTrains • u/The__Anonymous__Guy • 1h ago
Why is the 311 so infrequent?
The 311 is so incredible infrequent for the area it serves.
It connects the CBD with Elizabeth bay, Potts point and Darlinghurst, but why is it so slow? It gets 15 minute frequencies during peak, 20 minute frequencies intrapeak and 30 minute frequencies all other times. And it doesn’t even run 24 hour with the last service ending just after 12am on weekdays and just before on weekends.
It’s an important link to get people in Potts point and Elizabeth bay either into the CBD or to King’s Cross station and the surrounding area as well as St Vincent’s Hospital. The area needs better connectivity as well as a night bus service that serves Potts point, Elizabeth bay, King’s Cross and Oxford street
r/SydneyTrains • u/Bearded-Hipster • 13h ago
Heating on the Tangara
Anyone else feel suffocated by the heating on Tangara’s of a morning?
There’s nothing like rush hour, chocker-block services with the heating cranked to what feels like a stifling 30 degrees, even if the temperature is only slightly cooler that day.
r/SydneyTrains • u/edmforever-990 • 6h ago
T4 and south coast future timetable change
Given the t4 and south coast still remain on the 2013 inaugural Sydney trains timetable. What does the future look like for this line over the next few years? At least since other lines have had changes over the decade but this line remains now stuck in the past in the early 2010s can we expect any change in the distant future in the next few years or are we just going to remain stuck on an outdated timetable for the remainder years into the future? I know the timetable changed for November was controversial. I’m just curious to know what happens next for this line. Do we remain stuck in the past or are we gonna go into the future at any point in the next few years at least now?
r/SydneyTrains • u/UnholyGhosticles • 13h ago
Waterfall Line and South Coast Line Question
I'm not any sort of expert on trains, but I am part of the very loud minority that uses the Waterfall line. It is a huge pain.
I was wondering if there's anything to the idea of just fully absorbing the Waterfall line into the South Coast Line? It would make the T4 much simpler at least. Personally, I always prefer to hop on a SCO over a T4 train and if we can't significantly up our frequency, I feel like it would be a good trade-off for people going into the CBD. Cronulla gets the more frequent T4 trains and Waterfall gets the less frequent but faster SCOs. Hopefully, it would also reduce the number of times I get stranded at Waterfall when coming up from the south coast.
Again, I don't know anything about trains and I'm really trying to be objective about the fact that my stations have super low usage, but I'm interested in if any of you guys have a take.
r/SydneyTrains • u/The__Anonymous__Guy • 11h ago
Possibility to restart services on the Unanderra–Moss Vale railway line railway line?
The railway ended scheduled passenger services in 1985, but since then Wollongong as well as the University of Wollongong has grown significantly
Obviously significant improvements to the stations and line need to be made, but by the time those have completed, hopefully the new R sets have come into service and you could hold 2 old endeavours captive on this line to run semi-frequent services between Moss Vale and Unanderra either timed to connect to northbound services or have the train run all the way to North Wollongong Station
r/SydneyTrains • u/Alternative-Sir-5620 • 1d ago
Sydney metro - bankstown line headways + distances
is it just me / im weird, or Is it cool how close the stations are on bankstown line, which is actually what metro is intended for, compared to other parts of metro, where it may take 7 mins to get between stations, here, its only spacing of 1-2 mins between stops.
r/SydneyTrains • u/-1-kokomi-1- • 16h ago
About the maximum journey time
According to the official Opal website, the maximum journey time for this type of train journey is 7 hours. However, as shown in the second screenshot, this journey from Scone to Kiama takes over 8 hours and still appears to be treated as a single journey for fare calculation.
Does anyone know why this is the case? Is the maximum journey time rule applied differently to certain routes, or am I misunderstanding how Opal calculates fares?
r/SydneyTrains • u/LukeDies • 1d ago
How many Sydney Trains staff does it take to change a light bulb?
The answer is six.
r/SydneyTrains • u/Alternative-Sir-5620 • 2h ago
Getting uber to bankstown metro station
Hi everyone
ill be getting uber to bankstown metro on friday, but im worried that the uber will get cancelled and Ill be stuck and miss the first train out of Bankstown. Thoughts? (i pre booked uber)
r/SydneyTrains • u/Pretty_Signature8665 • 1d ago
Tangara old door closing announcement voiceline
Tangara train old train announcement on cab N5117, T4 line to Bondi Junction.
r/SydneyTrains • u/lonelyhealer • 1d ago
Where can I catch Mercedes Benz O405 in revenue service?
As per title.
Visiting from Victoria. Free for the weekend. Would like to catch some O405s to hear the melodious ZF Ecomat before they're retired. Thank you :)
r/SydneyTrains • u/paleaussie • 1d ago
XPT Casino to Sydney worth it?
I’m in the north coast/northern rivers but originally from Sydney and I’m looking at going back down for a visit with my two kids aged 5 and 3. My eldest is obsessed with the Sydney trains and misses them so much it’s half the reason why we’re thinking about a trip but I was hoping someone might give me insight if the train down would even be worth the hassle with two kids. They’re very well behaved and easily entertained but I just don’t know if the cheap tickets are worth it or just fork out a few hundred dollars more for flights which they both get anxious about.
If anyone with kids has travelled that long on the train, did you regret it?
(I’m a single parent so just me)
r/SydneyTrains • u/Sydney_Stations • 2d ago
New Kings Cross Station over-station development
r/SydneyTrains • u/embers-game • 2d ago
Gifts for (replacement) bus drivers?
Hey all! I'm an SW1 commuter at present and my regular driver in the mornings has been incredible - so friendly and literally always on time (I don't know how he does it, given the majority of em LOL).
Are those staff allowed to take gifts? I was thinking of just giving him a box of chocolates or something next week before the buses end for the M1.
I did leave feedback about him a few months ago and was told that they had been able to identify the driver and pass on my compliments, so I'd just love any feedback on if those compliments actually get passed on and if I can hand him a little token thanks. TIA!
r/SydneyTrains • u/Next_Time6515 • 2d ago
Sydney metro extension Sydenham to Bankstown
When the Sydney metro extension Sydenham to Bankstown opens. Where is the first place you are going to go?
On Friday afternoon I am going to Belmore and to "Smeed" for Middle Eastern pastries. The maamoul is to die for.
r/SydneyTrains • u/arcticnighthawk • 2d ago
Would they order new metropolis sets for the M1, even though they're not built in Australia?
With the metro already reaching capacity on the north shore during peak hours, its obvious that they need to run more trains. Currently the M1 uses a fleet of 45 metropolis sets, which is enough to support 4 minute frequencies for the full line from Tallawong-Bankstown, however nowhere near the number they would need to increase the frequency. MTS's corporate plan for 2024-28 states that they expect to have 80 trains by June 2028, given we've heard nothing I'd say thats probably not happening.
The thing I'm stuck on is that with Minns Governments's flagship transport policy at the moment being locally building trains, would they ever choose to order new sets built in India or will they wait until it is possible to locally manufacture them in the 2040s? I've heard the argument before that a metro doesn't count as a train, and that feels pretty weak and would definetly be seen as a backflip on the policy. Is the decision on where to buy rolling stock from even up to the Government or are they bound by the contract with MTS? I'm struggling to find anything reliable on this anywhere.
Edit: I can't spell
r/SydneyTrains • u/agnci • 2d ago
Metro overflowing with people in peak hour
Taking the north west metro in the morning, it is so packed that you cannot moved inside and on top of that people at the next stops have to miss out because there is so little room inside the metro. Every 4 minutes during peak hour is unfortunately not enough, metros have half the space of a train having only one level, it needs to be every 2 minutes to manage the passenger load
r/SydneyTrains • u/qualiky • 2d ago
Winners & Losers - New T4 timetable Schedule
Did a bit of digging on the new T4 timetable change to visualise how things change for the entire line. All comparison between 11th and 18th of November, pre-change and post-change. All capacity numbers are on a per-day number.
TL;DR
- Wolli Creek seems to be the real loser in schedule change. Even when we include the increased T8 services now passing thru the airport tunnel, Wolli Creek loses out on all SCOs, reducing the total number of trains it gets per day from 350 to 336 TPD on a weekday.
- Penshurst, Loftus, Engadine and Heathcote lose on the occasional SCO service. Might not be a big deal, but this means SCO has been streamlined for every 15 minutes on peak weekday and won't stop anywhere before Sutherland and Waterfall.
- Sydenham is the new interchange in every way possible. No more pink buses to Bankstown and all SCOs stop at Sydenham .
- Como goes from 43 TPD to 85 TPD (according to new static-GTFS feed) - this is a 97.67% increase in frequency. Real winners of timetable change (!!!)
- Allawah and Carlton finally get some justice. 96 to 106 trains on a weekday, a decent enough increase, but 40 to 79 trains per day on weekends - finally, the 15 min frequency these dense, walkable suburbs need.
- Banksia, Arncliffe, and Tempe get a similar frequency increase. Greatest increase on weekdays from 75 to 106 TPD - and frequency the same as Allawah and Carlton on the weekend. This means every station north of Hurstville gets one train every 15 minutes at the latest, regardless of the time of the week except the second last and last service hour.
(This is purely based on TPD. I've been playing with GTFS-R for the last year for my research project, and based on what we have vs what we get, ignoring all the "longer journeys now muh" feedback, this seems to be a win for most of the places, anyways).
r/SydneyTrains • u/Muffin0nAPlate • 2d ago
we got metro bankstown extension before gta 6.
finally.
r/SydneyTrains • u/Demonkasu • 1d ago
Will they change the T6 line?
Wondering if liverpool or leppington will now shift to going towards bankstown?
r/SydneyTrains • u/BigBlueMan118 • 2d ago
Chris Minns: 30.10.2026 Metro Bankstown opens
facebook.comJust announced on his socials
r/SydneyTrains • u/the-amazing-pastaman • 2d ago