Huge change coming to public transport

Huge change coming to public transport as NSW government lifts coronavirus restrictions on buses and trains

  • From July 1 the capacity on public transport in NSW will double to around 50% 
  • There will still be green dots to show people where they can sit on all transport 
  • Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she still wanted people to avoid peak hours 
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

New South Wales will ease restrictions on public transport to allow more people to go back to work in the CBD from July 1. 

The cap of 12 people on a bus will be removed and more people will be allowed on trains.  

Social distancing will still be advised, with green dots showing customers where they can sit. 

New South Wales will ease restrictions on public transport. Pictured: Sydney peak hour last year before COVID-19

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she still wanted people to avoid peak hours if possible. 

In May the public transport network in Sydney was running at about 25 per cent of capacity. 

Ms Berejiklian said changes in July will allow this to double. 

‘We’re still encouraging people to travel outside the peak where possible, but now we will have extra capacity in the peak, almost doubling capacity in the peak from 1 July, which is great news,’ she said. 

In normal times 2.2million journeys are made on NSW public transport per day. 

In May the figure was at 570,000 which was maximum capacity while keeping passengers 1.5 metres apart. 

An employee disinfects a train in the central business district of Sydney on May 13

An employee disinfects a train in the central business district of Sydney on May 13

The NSW Government’s COVIDSafe Transport Plan 

Avoiding peak travel: If you are not already using public transport in the peak, please do NOT use public transport in the peak. Services are already close to capacity to allow for distancing at these times. Off peak times are between 10am and 2pm;

Deep cleaning and more hand sanitisers: Intense and ongoing cleaning will occur throughout the transport network and there will be a continued rollout of hand sanitiser at key transport hubs, including at high demand stations;

Boosting parking: Special event-style parking arrangements will be in place at Moore Park for people who are able to drive to work. Other locations will be rolled out soon. In addition car park operators will be offering special deals for all day parking;

More cycling and walking options: The Government is working with councils on establishing pop-up cycleways and enhancing pedestrian access to allow more people to find alternative routes to work;

‘No dot, no spot’: Distinctive green dots will be used on trains, buses and ferries to show passengers the safest places to sit and stand. A ‘No dot, no spot’ will see passengers asked to wait for the next service. School children will be given priority access;

More data: Customers to be given real time information through Apps, social media and Transport Info to see which services have space available to maintain physical distancing; and

More services: Changes will be considered to increase services eg; more ferries, water taxis and private vehicle passenger services on the water. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk