Why 24-hour public transport in Sydney could become a reality

The NSW government is looking to run 24-hour public transport services on more occasions in Sydney after a successful trial over the Mardi Gras weekend where patronage on metro services surged 41 per cent.

For the first time, the Sydney metro ran 24 hours for the Mardi Gras parade on February 28, with services every five minutes from 5pm until midnight, every 10 minutes until 2am, then every 20 minutes until 5am. Light rail and train services also ran around the clock until 5am but at a lower frequency.

Compared with last year’s Mardi Gras parade, there was a 41 per cent increase in passenger boardings on the Sydney metro to 158,654 boardings, Opal figures obtained from Transport for NSW reveal. There were also more trips taken on buses and the light rail, each rising 2 per cent and 8 per cent respectively, but trips on trains and ferries dipped 2 per cent and 8 per cent.

Transport Minister John Graham said the trial for Mardi Gras was a success: “The new 6am trading hours for Mardi Gras went hand in hand with 24-hour transport.

“The extended transport meant there was less of a crowd rush to catch the last train after the parade. This is good for vibrancy and safety. We will continue to look for ways to improve public transport to support our nighttime economy.”

A spokesperson from Graham’s office confirmed work on future rollouts was under way but did not respond to questions on at what stage the considerations and planning were, costings or specific major events.

Graham told a budget estimates hearing on March 9 the government would “look to see what we can do and where else we can apply that”.

It is not the first time this possibility has been flagged. In 2019 a NSW parliament Committee on Sydney’s Night Time Economy recommended 24-hour weekend rail services. Seven years later, successive Coalition and Labor governments have not committed to any fledgling models.

A recent report from the government’s 24-hour economy office identified a lack of late-night transport options as one of three primary barriers to Sydneysiders going out in the past year. However, overall movement was up: Opal tap-offs at night surged by 28.5 million, or 23.6 per cent, since 2023.

The government previously said it would be unsustainable to run 24-hour heavy rail services because planned track maintenance takes place when stations are closed late at night. There are also logistical and cost challenges around staffing and keeping stations open around the clock.

“You don’t want to do this all the time, around the clock, because people aren’t out using the transport, but we can really service some of the areas that are going well,” Graham added during budget estimates. “Of course, all this is expensive and we’re working through it. But the success of the Mardi Gras transport and what it meant for venues is a really good sign.”

Currently, metro services run until 12.30am on weekdays and until 1.30am on weekends, resuming services just before 5am. Light rail, train and ferry timetables follow a similar schedule, while “NightRide” rail replacement buses run along select corridors between midnight and 4.30am.

Opposition transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward said if businesses knew in advance about late-night transport options there was “no reason we can’t plan for more opportunities” but stopped short of committing to any around-the-clock services should the Coalition win at the next state election in 2027.

“If you offer it, they will come – 24/7 services on special events enables the night-time economy to tailor events to different markets,” she said.

The NSW Productivity and Equality Commission found boosting transport services between 9pm and 6am could create $76.8 million a year in additional spending and $58.7 million in time savings.

Night Time Industries Association chief executive Mick Gibb said implementing regular 24-hour transport was a key mechanism “entirely at the state government’s disposal”.

“This is the base – let’s not make this a one-off but a business-as-usual,” he said.

Gibb pointed to sporting finals, Vivid Sydney and stadium concerts as major events 24-hour transport could support.

“[It] is a chicken-and-egg dynamic here – we need to incentivise more people to come out at night by demonstrating they can get home affordably and easily. They’re not going to go out at night if they feel they’re going to be trapped in the city and the only way home is a $150 ride-share or taxi,” he said.

NSW 24-hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said the government would continue assessing opportunities to expand 24-hour transport services, and that it was something industry had been calling on “for some time now”.

City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said while the city was “seeing the green shoots” of a thriving night-time economy, she would like to see the government offer 24-hour metro services.

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