But not on Thursday morning.

With just four carriages, rather than the usual eight, the 6.40am train was standing room only before it left Wollongong.

The crowding was so great, one woman opted to get off the train.

One stop later, at North Wollongong, commuters were forced to stand in the aisles and sit on the stairs.

At Thirroul, it seemed station staff would have to push people into the train.

Some opted to get off at Thirroul and catch the express bus to Central, but were angry when there was only one bus and it would be a half-hour before the next one arrived.

One commuter took out his frustration on staff but many others seemed to accept their fate – they would be late to work.