The New South Wales government has taken the railroad union to court over plans to turn off Opal card readers.

The New South Wales government is set to take the railroad union to court this week over plans to turn off opal card readers.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) will indefinitely suspend gated Opal card readers from 3pm to 7pm every weekday starting Thursday.

Unions and the government have been in heavy negotiations for months over a new corporate deal that has left Sydney’s commuters at the mercy of numerous strikes and delays.

Transport Minister David Elliott said the measures were “unprotected” and the government would seek damages for lost revenue.

“I will go to federal court to seek damages and reimbursement from RTBU for the loss of income that NSW taxpayers will lose in the course of this lawsuit,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“I am calling on RTBU to put this action aside.

“You are only risking the lives of commuters and denying taxpayers NSW revenue.”

RTBU chief Alex Claassens said turning off Opal card readers is the only industrial action that won’t disrupt commuters.

“The NSW government has repeatedly shown it is more interested in spending taxpayers’ money on legal fees than in reaching agreements that ensure the safety of commuters,” Mr Claassens said. .

“Governments are doing everything except sitting down and reaching a real deal.”

Elliott confirmed that the government cannot stop free public transportation, but hopes the federal court case will help recover some of the lost revenue it creates. increase.

“It could be tens of millions of dollars,” Elliot said.

“Unions need to think very carefully about that because if they are caught up in recovering costs and losing revenue, unions will be in a lot of financial trouble.

“I make no apologies for that.”

Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland cautions customers that not all Opal readers will be disabled.

“Customers tapping with a reader at one station and not tapping at another station,” says Longland.

“Once the reader is on, tap and hold your Opal card. Do whatever you can in the background with the Opal system to manage your customer impact.”

Three-quarters of Sydney stations without gated Opal readers will remain open, Longland said.