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Sydney trains have been brought to a standstill for the second time in a week as floods cause major delays across the network.
Commuters have been warned that every major line on Sydney Trains network on Friday night is affected by flooding across the tracks at various locations.
Friday night marks the opening of the Vivid Festival and large crowds had been expected.
Trains are still running on most lines with reduced services but on some lines services have stopped.
One city worker told Daily Mail Australia they had left their office at 5pm and were still waiting for a train at Wynyard station at 6:30.
Earlier this week hundreds of thousands of commuters across the city experienced two days of disruption to rail services when a train hit an overhead power line at Strathfield station.
Premier Chris Minns said $1.5 billion a year was spent on rail infrastructure and maintenance so punters should expect a more reliable network.
‘This is nowhere near good enough, we’ve let the travelling public down,’ he told Sydney’s 2GB radio.
‘I saw (media) today which was damning of the government, and it said it was a shame for Sydney, I have to agree.’
Warnings for major delays are in place across every train line in Sydney
Friday May 23 marked the first night of Sydney’s annual Vivid Festival
Transport for NSW said replacement buses were at full capacity trying to supplement for the lack of trains.
‘It’s not like flicking a switch and getting the timetable operating instantly,’ rail operations executive Jas Tumber said.
‘We have to go through a gradual build-up of matching crew and trains to provide the frequency of service that we need.’
Heavy rainfall caused widespread delays and disruptions across Sydney’s rail network.
In the 24 hours leading up to 9am Friday, Richmond recorded over 200mm of rainfall, while Camden saw around 90mm.
Katoomba received more than 50mm, and Sydney Airport registered at least 75mm.
Meanwhile, in the Illawarra, places including Clover Hill, received more than 200mm of rain, resulting in flooding.
100mm of rain is expected in Sydney and the Blue Mountains over the next 24 hours, with Warragamba Dam now at 97 per cent capacity.
Flooding in Parramatta (pictured) saw delays across Ferry Services
Users on social media share their negative experiences while trying to get home
Howard Collins, Transport for NSW’s coordinator-general, advised Vivid festivalgoers to delay their visit if possible.
“If you can come early next week instead, please consider doing that,” he said.
“You won’t get to see it all in one night , plan your Vivid Sydney experience over a few nights.”
Lines impacted included Leppington, Liverpool, Inner West, Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra, Hunter, Southern Highlands, and South Coast services.
Lewisham Station was temporarily closed due to flooding, with crews working to pump out water from the premises.
‘Residual delays’ are expected to continue across the majority of Sydney’s train network for the rest of Friday.
Timetables have been changes to come every 15-minutes across all lines, aside from the Intercity and Eastern Suburbs.
The NSW government announced a fare-free day as compensation on Monday.
15 minute intervals are in place across all lines except the Intercity and Eastern Suburbs lines
Vivid Festival attendees have been urged to reconsider visiting this weekend
