Sydney commuters are facing a second day of commuter chaos as the premier confirms train services will not return to normal for the afternoon peak.

NSW Premier Chris Minns told the media train services will still be impacted this afternoon with limited shuttle services running to get people home from work.

There will be long service gaps and delays that will not appear in travel apps so commuters need to check when the next train is at their local station.

Trains usually run every four minutes in peak periods, however, this afternoon there will be a minimum 25-minute wait.

“I regret to inform everybody we are expecting shuttle services for the rest of the day, there will still be disruptions into the afternoon,” Minns said.

“We will not be returning to normal timetables for trains in NSW in the afternoon peak, there are crews and trains in different parts of the system it’s not possible to promise a return to the timetable.

“We expect it to be in place as of tomorrow morning’s peak.”

He urged anyone who managed to make it into work today to leave early to avoid the massive queues that were seen at train stations all across Sydney last night. 

Minns said commuters would get a fare-free day on Monday next week as an apology for the delays.

“Frankly, that’s the least we can do, I don’t expect it to make up for the chaos of the last 24 hours,” he said.

The premier also said he would look at an independent review into the current transport system focusing on three aspects – maintenance, punctuality of the network and communications from Transport for NSW with everyday commuters.

Sydney Trains has confirmed ongoing power supply issues at Strathfield will continue even though the repair works are now complete.

“Repairs to power supply has been completed and all lines at Strathfield are now open,” it said.

“Delays, service gaps and reduced services will continue across most lines this morning. Please consider delaying your travel.

“If you must travel, allow plenty of extra travel time.”

Emergency crews and engineering teams worked through the night to try to fix the problem at Strathfield and although most train lines through the station reopened at 6.30am, delays and gaps still remain.

Part of a train’s rooftop power connector became tangled with overhead powerlines near Homebush just before 2.30pm yesterday, triggering delays on 80 per cent of Sydney’s train network.

About 3am, Transport for NSW was still urging commuters on the T1, T2, T3, T5, T6, T8, T9 and Bathurst lines to delay non-essential travel.

“Train services on most lines will be impacted this morning due to power supply issues at Strathfield,” Transport for NSW said.

“Trains will continue to operate on all lines but will not run to timetable and the frequency of service will be reduced. You may also need to change trains to continue your journey.

“Limited buses are supplementing trains between Lidcombe and Ashfield.”

Affected passengers were urged to delay non-essential travel or use other transport.

“If you must travel by train, please allow plenty of extra travel time, listen to announcements, and check information screens and transport apps before getting on trains,” Transport for NSW said.

“Repair crews have worked throughout the night, and we expect all lines at Strathfield to be open again around 6.30am.

“Delays and gaps in service are likely to be experienced for the duration of the morning peak period.”

The chaos kicked off yesterday afternoon when a train became entangled in overhead lines, bringing down a 1500-volt line onto one of its carriages, trapping 300 passengers inside.

Transport for NSW head Howard Collins said power to the train was isolated so that passengers could be safely evacuated.

The 300 passengers were later seen walking on the tracks towards the station, escorted by staff members.

“We were on the train for, I think, two and a half hours before one of the electricians came out and said, ‘You better hop off, because we don’t know what’s happening’,” one told 9News. 

With disruptions across train lines, some commuters turned to the Metro, with large crowds seen at Victoria Cross.

Queues were also seen at Central, with cones and tape set up to control crowds.

Transport Minister John Graham apologised on behalf of the government.

“This is a very serious incident in a critical part of the rail network and we apologise to all train passengers affected and trying to get home tonight,” he said in a statement this evening.

“The position of the train at Strathfield is a major artery of the network and has caused huge disruption.

“Passengers have now been taken off the stranded train that was entangled in wiring, as well as three other trains that were stopped with passengers onboard.”