The state Labor government denies it has beholden to unions after making a concession to get Sydney Metro back on track. Industrial action threatening to delay the projects next stage was cancelled when the transport minister agreed to putting staff on board automated trains.

Train travel will be free ahead of footy finals and will commence from midnight. Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray told Sky News Australia there will be “special event services” and express trains operating from Central to Sydney Olympic Park.

Disruptions to Sydney’s rail network this weekend may not be as bad as feared, after workers called off some planned industrial action. The government has temporarily met one of their demands, with two days of free train travel.

It always seems like life is going swimmingly until you run into a kerfuffle with public transport, but Sydney commuters can breathe a sigh of relief following news that train travel will be free across the city this weekend.