By the morning of May 21, power was restored between Lidcombe and Ashfield, allowing for a gradual resumption of train services, although significant delays were still expected.

Collins acknowledged the disruption and expressed uncertainty about how long it would take to resolve the situation, apologizing for the inconveniences faced by commuters.

A power outage caused major disruptions to train services in Sydney, continuing for a second day after a live wire struck a train near Strathfield station on May 20, 2025.

The outage has left many passengers stranded during peak travel hours, creating chaos at major stations.

Commuters on the T1, T2, T3, and T9 lines are advised to seek alternative travel options and allow extra time for their journeys due to halted train services.

In response to the disruptions, Premier Chris Minns announced that public transport fees would be waived on May 26, 2025, as a gesture of goodwill.

Thousands of commuters faced long queues at train stations waiting for limited replacement bus services, which were further delayed by increased road traffic.

Premier Minns criticized the government's handling of the situation and promised an independent review of the train network's maintenance and communication protocols.

The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation, with efforts focused on safely isolating power and ensuring the safe return of stranded passengers.

Sydney's rail communication systems are outdated, relying on hand-delivered paper messages, which hampers effective crisis management.

Transport Coordinator-General Howard Collins stated that response teams were working to safely evacuate passengers near Strathfield station.

Collins emphasized the life-threatening danger posed by the high-voltage wires, which could cause immediate fatalities if touched.