Six-Day Transport Strike From 27 November Expected to Disrupt 1.2 Million Commuters

With unions confirming a six-day strike starting on November 27, 2025, Australia is preparing for one of the worst transportation disruptions in recent memory. An estimated 1.2 million commuters may find it difficult to go to work, school, and other important appointments as a result of the strike, which is predicted to affect trains, buses, and ferries in many states.

This strike occurs during a crucial period of the year when a lot of people commute for work, shopping, and school. Authorities are advising commuters to make advance plans, think about alternate modes of transportation, and keep abreast of service modifications.

Long-standing disagreements over wages, staffing shortages, and working conditions at the root of the strike. Union officials stress that the action is required to guarantee equitable treatment and safer working conditions for public transportation workers.

Quick Info

Item	Details
Start Date	27 November 2025
Duration	6 Days
Services Affected	Trains, buses, ferries
Estimated Commuters Affected	1.2 Million
Reason for Strike	Pay disputes, staffing shortages, working conditions
Advice to Commuters	Plan alternate routes, allow extra travel time, monitor updates
Potential Impacts	Severe delays, overcrowding, travel disruptions

Why the Strike Is Happening

The strike is the result of months of fruitless talks between government officials and transportation unions. Employees are requesting:

• higher compensation to keep up with growing living expenses.
• sufficient personnel to avoid tiredness and guarantee secure operations.
• Better safety precautions and consistent scheduling are examples of improved working conditions.

According to union officials, the strike is necessary to compel authorities to solve these issues and guarantee the long-term viability and security of public transportation systems.

States and Services Most Affected

State / Territory	Affected Services	Major Impact Areas	Expected Disruption
New South Wales (NSW)	Sydney Trains, NSW Buses, Ferries	Sydney CBD, Central Station, Circular Quay, Parramatta, Bondi Junction	Severe delays, overcrowding, partial cancellations
Victoria (VIC)	Metro Trains, Regional Trains, Trams, Bus Routes	Melbourne CBD, suburban lines, major universities	Limited service schedules, crowded trams, delayed buses
Queensland (QLD)	CityTrain, Buses, Ferries	Brisbane CBD, South Bank, University of Queensland, Regional Towns	Service reductions, delays up to 2 hours, partial route cancellations
South Australia (SA)	Metro Trains, Bus Routes	Adelaide CBD, Outer Suburbs	Reduced frequency, delays, possible overcrowding
Western Australia (WA)	Train Lines, Bus Routes	Perth CBD, Suburban Areas	Limited service, schedule changes, minor overcrowding
Tasmania (TAS)	Buses, Ferries	Hobart, Launceston	Partial service disruptions, delayed routes
Northern Territory (NT)	Buses, Ferries	Darwin, Palmerston	Reduced service, limited disruption in regional areas

Impact on Commuters

The strike is the result of months of fruitless talks between government officials and transportation unions. Employees are requesting:

• higher compensation to keep up with growing living expenses.
• sufficient personnel to avoid tiredness and guarantee secure operations.
• Better safety precautions and consistent scheduling are examples of improved working conditions.
• According to union officials, the strike is necessary to compel authorities to solve these issues and guarantee the long-term viability and security of public transportation systems.

Advice to Workers and Employers

During the strike, employers are urged to provide remote work or flexible work schedules. Important suggestions consist of:

• Start timings are spaced out to ease traffic during rush hours.
• letting workers work from home to reduce the burden of travel.
• adjusting daily schedules to account for any delays.

Due to the possibility of delays or cancellations on buses and trains that serve school zones, parents and students are also urged to make travel plans.

Alternative Travel Options

Since most public transportation is severely affected, travelers are advised to think about:

• Carpooling can help cut down on traffic and travel expenses.
• Ridesharing and taxi services are in high demand, but they may be costly.
• For shorter distances, walk or ride a bicycle.
• flexible work schedules to avoid the busiest commute periods.

Potential Long-Term Effects

In the event that the strike lasts the entire six days:

• Economic Impact: Companies that depend on commuters using public transportation may experience a decline in productivity.
• Worker Difficulties: Workers might not be able to get to work, appointments, or school on time.
• Traffic Congestion: As more people drive, pollution and traffic congestion may increase.
• Delays in Services: There may be delays in vital services including healthcare, shopping, and education.

Analysts caution that if the strike results in delayed services or persistent operational problems, disruptions may continue throughout the next week.

Economic and Social Implications

The strike emphasizes how difficult it is to achieve a compromise between the requirements of the general public and workers’ rights. While employees want safe working conditions and fair compensation, the interruption impacts:

• Businesses: Employees may not show up at all or come late.
• Families: Parents balancing job and school obligations.
• Emergency services and healthcare: Employees may experience delays in reporting for work.

Economists caution that protracted strikes may cause economic slowdowns in the impacted areas, particularly in large cities where public transportation is the primary means of transportation.

Advice for Commuters During the Strike

Authorities recommend the following to lessen the impact:

• Make a route plan in advance: Be aware of the services that will be available and the alternatives.
• Give yourself more time to get there because there may be delays of several hours.
• Think about using ridesharing services, biking, or carpooling as other modes of transportation.
• Keep abreast: Keep an eye on social media and official transportation notifications.
• Be patient: During a six-day strike, delays and congestion are inevitable.