Sydney unmoved by free travel

Thousands of Sydney commuters took advantage of the day

Sydney commuters, angry over the city's poor rail network, have not been placated by a free day of travel.

Locals said they would rather pay than suffer more delayed services, according to the Australian Associated Press.

The free travel day was offered by the authorities after protesters threatened not to pay to travel.

Rail bosses have blamed the system's problems on ageing rolling stock and absenteeism by drivers who are campaigning for better wages.

"The trains still aren't on time, my train has just been delayed by another 12 minutes, so I think every day should be a free day at this rate," said Rolf, a commuter from Gosford, Sydney.

"I'd prefer to get a train on time and pay for it than get one for free and hang around."

Another commuter, law student Edwin Dyga, said he was still waiting to see if he would lose marks on an essay for handing it in late because his train was delayed.

I think the rail service has been bloody atrocious. It has got to be fixed up. It is the biggest problem we face Bob Carr, New South Wales Premier

Legal secretary Rebecca Turner, 24, who organised the campaign for a no-pay rebellion on the network, said the transport problems had more impact than inadequacies in any other public service sector, because there was no private-sector alternative.

"Everyone uses the trains," she said.

"The delays are shocking - people are losing jobs, people are being fired, people are being stuck on the dole. It's ruining people's lives."

The state government in New South Wales has admitted that train services in Sydney were "atrocious".

The BBC's correspondent in Sydney, Phil Mercer, says commuters have suffered for months, and for some, even the sight of a train arriving late is a relief on a network where many services are cancelled without warning.