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The NSW government and rail unions will once again re-engage in negotiations this week, after a messy industrial dispute that resulted in almost 150 drivers and guards not reporting for work on Wednesday.
As dialogue opens back up once again between the government and the workers, trains are back running close to the scheduled timetable, but commuters are advised to still plan ahead.
However, Sydney commuters have said all is forgiven for the recent train strikes and delays, after the public transport service teased the return of the MX magazine.
After months of industrial action resulting in delays across the network, public sentiment towards the union’s cause appeared to have plummeted earlier in the week. Leaving the rail workers with only one card to play.
“It really is amazing how quickly we turned millions of angry commuters into drooling subservient readers just by teasing this free magazine that we used to distribute on our carriages,” said Brett Hu (44), an administrative manager for Sydney Trains.
Hayden Welch (32), a long time commuter, has admitted that the hour long delays were water off a duck’s back now that they might bring back MX magazine.
“I don’t care if the delays are 5 hours, if they bring back the Overheard segment then the union has my full support for the rest of my life,” the 32 year old explained.
The overall reception to even just a tease of the return of the magazine has stunned train staff, who assumed the magazine had been long forgotten.
“Wait, why did we get rid of this magazine in the first place?” questioned the Director of Media for Sydney Trains.
One staff member admitted that they were considering re-launching the magazine as a distraction technique long before the strikes even started.
“We’ve had this card up our sleeve for a while now. It’s basically a cheat code for public forgiveness,” they revealed.
Social media has been flooded with nostalgic posts about the magazine, with many commuters reminiscing about their favourite segments.
“I haven’t thought about Vent Your Spleen for years, and now it’s all I want,” one commuter said.
Sources inside Sydney Trains have hinted that the magazine could return as early as next month, although they remained tight-lipped about the exact date.
“It’s all about timing. The winter months are particularly good for commuters falling in love with random strangers they saw drinking an ice tea of the Parramatta platform at 730 am”
