Sydney train travellers hit with delays caused by urgent overhead wiring repairs - The Australian

Large crowds gather in Sydney after train lines were closed. Source: NewsLocal

Large crowds gather in Sydney after train lines were closed. Source: NewsLocal

TRAINS heading away from the city on the North Shore Line are now operating from Wynyard to North Sydney, however buses continue to replace trains from North Sydney to Chatswood due to urgent overhead wiring repairs at Waverton.

Citybound trains on the North Shore Line continue to operate, however there are delays of up to 60 minutes to some services.

There are also flow-on delays of up to 30 minutes to trains across the CityRail network.

A flow-on delay of up to 20 minutes is also in place in both directions on the Western, Northern, Bankstown, Airport and East Hills Lines and Newcastle and Central Coast Line.

There are also delays of up to 30 minutes to buses heading out of the CBD via Clarence Street near Wynyard Station.

Angry commuters contacted The Daily Telegraph complaining of a disorganised, "ad hoc” scene in front of the station.

"They’re making it up on the spot with no organisation at all,” commuter Mary said.

"It’s incredibly ad hoc.”

Mary said she had witnessed a bus depart with as few as five people on it while members of the public crowded onto the street and attempted to get taxis to make work appointments.

"I bus arrived and we asked the driver where he was going and he just said ‘I don’t know’,” she said.

"They talked among themselves and decided it would go to Spit Junction … it had five people on it when it left.

Earlier, police were called in to control crowds after urgent overhead wiring repairs at Waverton forced commuters to take buses.

"Bedlam at wynyard station, and Clarence st bus stops, police here to control crowds. Nice work #cityrail,” Twitter user Mark T ‏(@dryasadingo) wrote.

Police media confirmed officers were at Clarence street attempting to set up barriers after the sheer number of pedestrians caused them to "spill out onto the road”.

The increased number of buses has also played havoc with roads out of the city, causing significant delays for motorists on Clarence street.

While citybound trains on the North Shore Line are unaffected shuttle train services replace trains from Chatswood to Hornsby and from Chatswood to Epping.

Sydneysiders have taken to Twitter to vent their anger.

"Seriously #cityrail can't you get your s*** together just once. I'm going to be horrifically late for work,” Twitter user Mike Cullen (‏@MikeCullen73) wrote.

Passengers on the Western Line headed for stations between Wynyard and Chatswood can change trains at Strathfield for a service to Epping, and then travel towards the city on the Northern Line via Macquarie Park.

It is unknown when normal services will resume.