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CANBERRA - They don't call Sydney the Big Smoke for nothing.
But on Wednesday you would have been forgiven for thinking the haze clouding the skies over Australia's biggest city had come from the steaming necks of furious commuters trapped on the Harbour Bridge for hours aboard trains
without air conditioning or adequate toilets.
As the city's transport system descended into chaos, tens of thousands of others fumed as other peak-hour trains backed up because of the bridge blockage, or sat waiting helplessly in cars queued nose-to-tail through the CBD.
This was far from the first time. Transport is becoming a regular headache for Sydneysiders.
Drivers still gnash their teeth over the cross-city tunnel designed to whip cars under the CBD in minutes, but which instead has led to bottlenecks and choke-points as traffic is funnelled into the tunnel and forced to pay exorbitant tolls.
Last month chaos also ruled as roads were shut down for the cavalcade of United States Vice-President Dick Cheney, and the transport system groaned under the weight as the public packed the harbour to see the superliner Queen Mary 2.
Elsewhere the row continues over pollution controls for fumes from the new Lane Cove tunnel, due to open on March 25.
And it is set to get worse in September when the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation summit arrives in town.
Some of the world's most powerful leaders will be in town - including US President George W. Bush and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
As well as the cavalcades of the mighty, roads will be packed with vehicles carrying 6000 lesser delegates, 1500 media and 800 business leaders, all protected by the biggest security screen the nation has seen.
On Wednesday, commuters had had enough.
"[NSW Premier] Morris Iemma, you suck, your Government sucks and your public transport system sucks," one stranded passenger, Jaqueline, told the Sydney Morning Herald.
The newspaper's website was flooded with indignation.
"We were stuck in the North Sydney tunnel for nearly 1.5 hours," said a reader calling herself Jenny.
"Women were urinating outside of the back carriage and there was no [air-conditioning]."
Another, Tony, wrote: "I was stuck on that train last night, with no A/C, no indication from rail staff as to what was happening, and witnessing people endure the indignity of going to the toilet where they were sitting, as they could not hold on."
The system collapsed during the afternoon rush hour when a pantograph - which connects trains to overhead electricity wires - became entangled at about 5.45pm.
As the train ground to a halt, 14 others were halted on the North Shore line, delays spread to other lines, and a number of vehicle accidents added to chaos on the roads.
State Transport Minister John Watkins - facing an election in two weeks - promised a full investigation.
But while most respondents to a poll on the smh.com.au website said the breakdown would not affect their vote, many still indicated they would punish the Government - with the Greens the most likely beneficiary.
"Even Vietnam has better trains than us," Aden wrote.
Added Alistair: "The gravy train for the [Labor Party] stops here."
Lines Tangled
A train became entangled in overhead wires on Wednesday, resulting in a power failure that shut down the city's northern and western lines for four hours. Commuters were stranded for more than two hours. NSW Premier Morris Iemma has promised an investigation into the fault and the poor communication between railway staff and stranded passengers.
Tunnel Vision
The Sydney cross-city tunnel designed to whip cars under the CBD in minutes has instead led to bottlenecks and choke-points. Traffic has been funnelled into the tunnel and forced to pay exorbitant tolls.
Visitation Rights
Last month roads were shut down for the cavalcade of US Vice-President Dick Cheney and the transport system groaned under the weight of Sydneysiders packing the harbour to see the superliner Queen Mary 2.
Worse To Come
Traffic will again be a problem in September when the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation summit hits town.
