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Public transport was the way to go to ring in the new year, with data from Transport for NSW revealing more than 700,000 journeys were made to and from Sydney’s CBD on train, bus, ferry and light rail services for the big night.

With most harbour vantage points not ticketed this year, Sydneysiders and travellers flocked into the city to watch the world-class New Year’s Eve fireworks. 

The vast majority of revellers caught public transport to and from the CBD, as passengers took the operational advice to leave the car at home, leave plenty of travel time,  and hop on services to get  where they needed to go.

Transport for NSW had an extra 1000 trains running day and night on New Year’s Eve, plus an extra 1200 buses, and light rail services were running every 10 minutes until 4am.   

Metro services  doubled in frequency with services running until 4am.

Key statistics

From 4am on 31 December 2023 to 4am on 1 January 2024, there were 416,049 trips into Sydney’s CBD and surrounding precincts, based on Opal data:

• Bus – 59,873
• Ferry – 22,158
• Light Rail – 44,794
• Train – 289, 224
• Total – 416,049

From 4am on 31 December 2023 to 4am on 1 January 2024, there were 325,613 trips out of Sydney’s CBD and surrounding precincts, based on Opal data:

• Bus – 46,510
• Ferry – 22,279
• Light Rail – 45,443
• Train – 211,381
• Total – 325,613

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“New Year’s Eve is by far the biggest day on the Transport calendar. This year, we saw a 20% increase in the number of people arriving into our city by train, compared to last year’s celebrations.

“Moving hundreds of thousands of people in and out of the city over a small period of time isn’t easy, but everyone was patient, in good spirits and listened carefully to our staff on the ground.

“I want to thank the thousands of Transport for NSW staff at stations, on trains, buses, ferries and light rail who kept people moving. I also want to thank the Maritime teams who were out on our harbour, ensuring everyone on the water could enjoy the incredible display safely.

“New Year’s Eve was a big test for Sydney’s public transport and follows months of important work our Government has been doing to improve reliability and performance. I’m thrilled to say our New Year’s Eve public transport network, like the incredible fireworks display, was a roaring success.”

Secretary of Transport for NSW Josh Murray said:

“The big crowds that built up over more than 12 hours on Sunday were safely dispatched home in around an hour and a half from city stations, with 1000 extra trains and 1200 extra buses.

“Revellers overwhelmingly caught public transport and we want to thank our passengers for leaving the car at home, for treating our transport workers with patience and respect as they worked through the night to get everyone to their parties or vantage points and back again.”

NSW Health is reminding people to protect themselves from mosquitoes when they are out and about during the summer holidays.

NSW Health’s Acting Director of Environmental Health, Paul Byleveld, said with more people spending time outdoors, it was important to take steps to reduce mosquito bite risk.

“Mosquitoes thrive in wet, warm conditions like those that much of NSW is experiencing,” Byleveld said.

“Mosquitoes in NSW can carry viruses such as Japanese encephalitis (JE), Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE), Kunjin, Ross River and Barmah Forest. The viruses may cause serious diseases with symptoms ranging from tiredness, rash, headache and sore and swollen joints to rare but severe symptoms of seizures and loss of consciousness.

“People should take extra care to protect themselves against mosquito bites and mosquito-borne disease, particularly after the detection of JE in a sentinel chicken in Far Western NSW.

The NSW Health sentinel chicken program provides early warning about the presence of serious mosquito borne diseases, like JE. Routine testing in late December revealed a positive result for JE in a sample from Menindee. 

A free vaccine to protect against JE infection is available to those at highest risk in NSW and people can check their eligibility at NSW Healthlaunch.

People are encouraged to take actions to prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of acquiring a mosquito-borne virus by:

• Applying repellent to exposed skin. Use repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Check the label for reapplication times.
• Re-applying repellent regularly, particularly after swimming. Be sure to apply sunscreen first and then apply repellent.
• Wearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts, long pants and covered footwear and socks.
• Avoiding going outdoors during peak mosquito times, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (mosquito coils should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas)
• Covering windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no gaps.
• Removing items that may collect water such as old tyres and empty pots from around your home to reduce the places where mosquitoes can breed.
• Using repellents that are safe for children. Most skin repellents are safe for use on children aged three months and older. Always check the label for instructions. Protecting infants aged less than three months by using an infant carrier draped with mosquito netting, secured along the edges.
• While camping, use a tent that has fly screens to prevent mosquitoes entering or sleep under a mosquito net.

Remember, Spray Up – Cover Up – Screen Up to protect from mosquito bite. For more information go to NSW Healthlaunch.

The Minns Labor government is taking a major step forward in putting an end to the former government’s toll mania that saw Sydney become the most tolled city on earth, with a $60 weekly toll cap officially starting today.

Across the state, almost three-quarters of a million motorists are expected to benefit from the toll relief scheme, a key initiative to support families with the rising cost of living.

Motorists in Western Sydney, who are paying some of the highest toll rates in the state will benefit the most, including more than 60,000 eligible accounts in Lakemba, Kellyvillle, Baulkham Hills, Winston Hills, Greystanes, Moorebank and Blacktown.

Customers eligible for the scheme can register and claim rebates through Service NSW from April 2024.

The scheme assesses spend on a weekly basis. Quarterly rebates will be transferred to an account holder’s nominated bank account and toll relief will begin accruing from today.

This includes any private trips taken on a NSW toll road, excluding those on the M5 South-West for customers registered for the M5 South-West Cashback Scheme at the same time.

Drivers who spend on average $200 per week from their individual tag or licence plate on tolls can expect to receive approximately $7280 in rebates per year.

A “fair use” provision will ensure the integrity of the scheme, with motorists able to claim up to $400 in tolls – or a maximum rebate of $340 a week. Anything above this limit will not be refunded.

Rideshare, taxis, cars registered with businesses and heavy vehicles are not eligible for the rebate.

To assist in getting trucks off local roads and to prioritise the efficient movement of goods, a truck multiplier also comes into effect from today.

The ‘truck multiplier’ rebate includes all NSW and interstate registered trucks that travel on the M5 East and M8 with a valid E-Toll, Linkt or Eastlink account.

These trucks will receive a rebate for a third of their trip travelled on the M5 East and M8, costing an estimated $54 million over the 2-year trial.

Customers registering for the truck rebate from April 2024 will automatically see the toll cap credits applied to their toll account each quarter.

To find out if you are eligible for the $60 toll cap rebate visit Service NSWlaunch.

The $60 toll cap scheme is set to run as a trial for 2 years.

The NSW Government continues to undertake an independent review of toll roads, led by Professor Allan Fels AO and Dr David Cousins AM who will report back with recommendations to make the NSW toll system simpler, fairer and more efficient into the future.

Acting Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“The Minns Labor government’s number 1 priority is helping people across NSW with the rising cost of living.

“Capping tolls to $60 a week is a key part of our commitment to ease the financial burden being faced by many families.

“This toll cap will provide toll relief where it is needed most, to families who are doing it tough, particularly across Western Sydney.”

Acting Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“The $60 toll cap was a key election promise. Nearly three-quarters of a million people will be better off as we’ve delivered on our promise.

“This is another initiative the Minns government has put in place to help people with reducing the cost of living.”

Motorists heading for a summer break in regional NSW are being reminded to be on high alert for wildlife and livestock straying onto country roads.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said regional NSW was a great destination over the Christmas and New Year holidays but warned city motorists they could encounter unfamiliar hazards while driving.

“Wildlife and livestock might be an uncommon occurrence on busy city roads but can be familiar sight on roads, particularly at dawn and dusk when many animals are at their most active,” Ms Aitchison said.

“It’s simply a matter of being aware there could be animals around and remaining vigilant when driving on rural and regional roads, and knowing what to do if you come across a kangaroo, echidna or even an emu in your path.

“The first thing is to brake if it’s safe to do so and, most importantly, resist the urge to swerve to miss the animal.

“It’s safer to strike an animal than to swerve and risk losing control of the vehicle – twice as many people are killed and injured in crashes resulting from swerving.”

Between 2017 and 2021 there were 557 reported collisions with animals on western region roads that resulted in 165 serious injuries and, sadly, six deaths.

Kangaroos and wallabies pose the most common risk to drivers, but wild horses and livestock can also be regularly found on the road.

“Regional drivers are reporting an increase in the number of animals on western roads and also animals strikes, possibly attributed to drier weather conditions this year forcing animals to move about more seeking food and water,” Ms Aitchison said.   

“When animals do stray onto the road they will often move very quickly and their behaviour can be quite unpredictable, so it is important to give them plenty of room.

“And when you’re driving on country roads, always take note of warning signs alerting you to the presence of animals in the area. If you see these signs, slow down, stay alert and be prepared to stop if required.”

Safe driving on country roads:

• Reduce your speed: Slow down and be on the lookout for wildlife on or near the road.
• Stay alert: Animals can be more active near waterholes and creeks and harder to see at sunrise and sunset.
• Brake safely: Apply your brakes in a careful, controlled manner.
• Don’t swerve: You may lose control of your vehicle if you swerve too harshly.
• Follow the signs: Take note of warning signs alerting you to the presence of animals in the area.
• Report injured wildlife: Call WIRESlaunch on 1300 094 737 or use the IFAW Wildlife rescue applaunch to find a suitable wildlife rescue organisation for your location.

For more information, visit the Animals On Country Roadslaunch website.