Hoping for the best but planning for the worst, Sydneysiders who rely on public transport are dreading the next few days of train chaos as the state government plans to shut down the city’s rail network.

But commuters have made it clear they place the blame for the proposed shutdown firmly on the shoulders of the state government – not the Rail, Tram and Bus Union – for failing to come to an acceptable resolution.

With their Friday and weekend plans in limbo, many have been making alternative plans as they await to hear the outcome of Thursday afternoon’s high-stakes last-minute negotiation.

Commuter Wendy Xin, a PhD student at the University of Sydney, said her weekend plans for a birthday party had to be rearranged, but that she’s not angry at the railway workers.

“I support the strike, it’s just that I’m frustrated towards the government, not the workers. It’s annoying, but I’m not angry at them,” she said.

In Strathfield, 19-year-old student Nishchit Thapa spent Thursday morning planning tomorrow’s commute from home to Fairfield, anticipating the journey would take an additional 30 minutes.

“I hope there will be a bus running for me to catch,” he said. “Otherwise, if I take Uber, it’s gonna be expensive because everyone is taking an Uber.”

He said it was “kind of sad” that the network would be shut – but because it was out of his control, he would have to wake up extra early.