Love on the Lines: Train Strikes Spark Romance in the Shire

Skye Waverley | Social Reporter | Sutherland Shire Gazette

17 January 2025

In a heartwarming twist amidst the chaos of Sydney's recent train strikes, the Sutherland Shire has witnessed an unexpected phenomenon: commuters letting down their usual guards and embracing a new wave of camaraderie—and maybe even a little romance.

What began as an infuriating commute soon turned into a social experiment, with stranded Shire residents turning to one another for solace. With train services crawling along slower than a toddler on a tricycle, frustrated travelers decided to make the best of a bad situation. 

Instead of the usual headphone-clad, don’t-look-at-me vibe, commuters actually started chatting, laughing, and even—gasp—sharing cabs.

“It was like a scene out of a rom-com,” said Miranda Jacobs, a Cronulla resident. “I was fuming at first, but then this guy next to me cracked a joke about being on the ‘train to nowhere,’ and we just hit it off. Before we knew it, we were sharing an uber back to the Shire.”

And it wasn’t just the cabs. As delays stretched into hours, local pubs around train stations became impromptu dating hubs. “People were grabbing cold beers, swapping stories, and bonding over their mutual hatred for the situation,” noted one bartender at The Union Hotel Jannali. “It was like speed dating, but with more swearing about public transport.”

Even traditionally stoic commuters were swept up in the love-fueled frenzy. “I’ve been taking this same train for years and never spoke to anyone,” admitted Peter Daniels from Miranda. “But yesterday, I met someone, we shared a beer while waiting for the next train, and now we’re planning to grab dinner.”

Social media has exploded with tales of newfound friendships—and a few budding romances. The hashtag #StrikeLove has been trending locally, with posts of meet-cutes, shared cab rides, and group selfies at pubs flooding the feeds.

As train services slowly return to normal, Shire residents are left wondering if the love-in will continue. “Maybe we should have train strikes more often,” one commuter joked. “It’s way better than Tinder.”