Melbourne train commuters are set to receive free travel twice this month due to planned industrial action. On Monday, August 12 and Monday, August 19 ticket barriers at Metro stations will stay open allowing commuters to simply stroll through without tapping their Myki.
In addition to barriers remaining open, staff will also refuse to check, sell or top-up Myki cards. Drivers will also refuse to run alternate services, operate trains without functional emergency passenger intercoms or skip stations. That means that at least for a short, blissful period, you won’t have to deal with “this train will no longer be going through the city loop” and the consequent rush for the doors.
The industrial action is being organised by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), with RTBU Victorian branch secretary Luba Grigorovitch saying the strike is designed to affect Metro Trains financially and not commuters. The union is hoping the action will win workers a six per cent pay rise (Metro has so far only offered a two per cent increase).