Month: December 2023

Long distance rail travel continues to pique the public interest, with more than a million journeys made so far this calendar year on NSW TrainLink’s long-distance regional train services and patronage now around three percent higher than before the COVID period.

Patronage on all routes has steadily increased overall with around 107,000 journeys now made each month on regional trains including the XPTs and XPLORERS, compared to an average of around 42,000 in 2021.

In addition, more than 440,000 coach journeys have been made in 2023, with an average patronage of around 40,000 per month, or double the 2021 figure.

The sharpest increase in demand has been on the Melbourne to Sydney train route, with a 250 per cent increase in average monthly patronage compared to 2021 and a 47 per cent increase compared to 2022.

This included a spike in bookings in September around the AFL grand final, prompting NSW TrainLink to add a sixth carriage on Melbourne services for several weeks in September.

NSW TrainLink attributes the uplift in demand to factors including an advertising campaign which has generated more than 14,000 bookings in under two months. Travellers have also responded to rail’s value for money price in the face of cost of living pressures, including the high cost of fuel and airfares.

The NSW TrainLink campaign includes a television advertisement that highlights more than 365 destinations in NSW. The video features beautiful and inspirational scenery – from the red outback to rolling green hills, which passengers can see out the window as they travel across NSW and interstate.

As a result of the campaign, there has been a rise in the number of people paying full fare.

For the environmentally-aware traveller, rail offers other benefits namely that the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions for a full capacity XPT train trip from Sydney to Brisbane is around 44kg of CO2-e per passenger, compared to 73kg for flying and 134kg for driving a car.   

Demand during the cooler months was also strong this year, with all regional train journeys seeing an average 33 per cent increase during winter when compared to 2022.

On the Sydney and Melbourne XPTs, there were 90,000 passenger journeys combined for June, July and August this year, compared to 60,000 for 2022.

NSW TrainLink regional train and coach services are filling up fast, particularly going into the peak summer period and passengers are encouraged to book ahead as much as possible to avoid disappointment. The most convenient and cost-effective way to book is onlinelaunch.

There are online discounts of 10 percent off adult fares or 20 percent off adult fares for bookings made five or more days in advance.

Cheaper options are available through online saver fares sales on selected routes, which change every season, with discounts of up to 35 per cent.

Find more about online saver fareslaunch

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“We’re incredibly pleased to see passengers embracing what NSW TrainLink has to offer, including around 127 regional train services and 605 coach services each week.

“People are recognising that it is a unique, cost-effective way to sit back and enjoy the ride, taking in the stunning scenery out the window, without the stress of driving or catching a plane.

“We also see, particularly for popular routes like Melbourne and Brisbane, are valued because passengers arrive right in the heart of the city, without the need to transfer from an airport.

“Train travel offers passengers fantastic flexibility. They’re able to visit the buffet and stretch their legs, get on and off at multiple stops, breaking up their journey or visiting more places in regional NSW and Australia.”

Average monthly patronage for calendar year 2023*

Sydney to Melbourne – 31,000 – 250% higher than 2021, 47% higher than 2022

Sydney to Canberra – 23,700 -160% higher than 2021, 31% higher than 2022

Sydney to Brisbane – 10,400 – 146% higher than 2021, 34% higher than 2022

Sydney to Casino – 10,200 – 147% higher than 2021, 35% higher than 2022

Sydney to Armidale – 9,800 – 125% higher than 2021, 36% higher than 2022

Sydney to Grafton – 8,600 – 153% higher than 2021, 36% higher than 2022

Sydney to Dubbo – 8,100 – 85% higher than 2021, 30% higher than 2022

Sydney to Moree – 4,800 – 90% higher than 2021, 36% higher than 2022

Sydney to Griffith – 1,000 – 139% higher than 2021, 31% higher than 2022

Sydney to Broken Hill – 800– 64% higher than 2021, 37% higher than 2022.

*Data is approximate, and includes journeys in both directions

Sydney motorists and visitors to the city are being warned to plan ahead as vital roadworks, including on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, and annual traditions like extra traffic around the Sydney Fish Markets, Sydney Airport and Christmas shopping precincts will add challenges to getting around.

Transport for NSW is taking advantage of the quieter summer holiday period to work around the clock on a number of important construction tasks on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, including building new overpass bridge piers, installing a new bus on ramp and demolishing old retaining wall and drainage structures.

The work is be carried out between Boxing Day, Tuesday 26 December and Friday 26 January 2024 – but lanes will be opened up and works shut down to facilitate traffic on New Year’s Eve.

The price of the focused roadworks campaign will be multiple temporary lane closures in the freeway corridor between Cammeray, Neutral Bay and North Sydney.

The works will save the equivalent of 70 standard night shifts throughout the year and an additional six weekend shutdowns when work goes 56 hours straight.

While the summer holiday period is the quietest on Sydney roads, the Warringah Freeway is expected to have journey times that compare with normal peak times due to the lane closure impacts.

Motorists are urged to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journey. Those catching a flight should leave enough time to get to Sydney Airport and take note of recent changed traffic conditions around Sydney Gateway.

Meanwhile, the usual 36-hour seafood marathon will run at Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont from 5am 23 December until 5pm Christmas Eve, attracting more than 100,000 people and resulting in extremely heavy traffic around the markets and on approaches, including Anzac Bridge.

Motorists are reminded that double demerit points will be in force from Friday 22 December to Monday 1 January for all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.

You can find more details on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade portallaunch.

Minister for Roads, John Graham said:

“Construction works on the Warringah Freeway are necessary and specifically timed to take advantage of the time of year that delivers the lowest traffic volumes on the Sydney Harbour Bridge approach.

“But we need to be very clear that this will mean delays. In fact, travel times are expected to resemble peak times on the Warringah Freeway at certain times based on the forecasts of Transport for NSW.

“We want all Sydney motorists to be aware of this so they can plan trips and leave enough time to get to destinations like the Sydney Airport without being surprised that this 24/7 work effort is happening at a time when people may not expect to see heavy traffic.

“We ask for people’s patience as we take advantage of this time to jump forward with the project milestones and thank them for their understanding.

“We want everyone travelling on roads this festive season to reach their destination safely – please plan your trip, follow the signs and drive carefully.

“There will be a range of road closures in place for NYE festivities this year, so if you are coming into the CBD for celebrations consider getting public transport and leaving the car at home.

Coordinator General Transport for NSW, Howard Collins said:

“Heavy traffic and delays are expected entering and leaving Sydney over the holiday period, including on NorthConnex to the north, around Sydney Airport as well as slower journey times near major works precincts such as the Warringah Freeway.

“Make sure you’re well rested before you head out, stick to the speed limit, wear your seatbelt or helmet, put down the phone and never, ever drive if you’re affected by drugs or alcohol.

“If you’re heading to sporting matches, concerts and other big crowd events over summer, we’ll have extra public transport services running to make your journey even easier.”

The Minns Labor government has launched a new option to renew Working with Children Checks (WWCCs) online, the first of its kind in Australia and a step towards more digital identification solutions.

About 1000 WWCCs are renewed each day, and nurses, teachers and childcare workers are among the 1.9 million people in NSW who will save valuable time with the online renewal option.

The online WWCC renewal is the first major product being rolled out under the NSW Digital ID program and is a significant step in the NSW Government’s journey towards a convenient and secure digital identity for residents.

Online renewals remove the need to share copies of physical documents to prove an identity, using photo verification technology to securely verify a person’s identity and a liveness check to determine if a person is present in front of a mobile phone.

Service NSW will confirm the identity of a person by matching their live facial scan with the reference image associated with them, such as the photo that was taken when a driver licence was issued.

To preserve privacy and safeguard against fraud, photos used for verification are immediately and permanently destroyed after the real-time check is completed.

More than a million residents, or roughly 14 per cent of the state, do not hold a NSW driver licence but are holders of government issued photo cards. To make transacting with NSW Government even more inclusive for the community, those with a photo card will also be able to renew their WWCC online.

Renewing a WWCC using digital proof of identity is optional and people can still apply in-person at Service NSW. 

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“Being able to renew a Working with Children Check online will save a lot of time for our essential workers and remove the manual process of presenting documents in-person to prove their identity.”

“The new online option will particularly benefit the many hard-working social workers, teachers and health and childcare workers who live and work in remote areas who can’t conveniently get to a Service NSW Centre.”

“This is the first significant step towards a digital ID and sets the foundation for renewing other credentials online, helping residents access services faster, easier, and with confidence their personal information is protected.”

Minister of Families and Communities Kate Washington said:

“The Digital Working with Children Check Renewal makes it easier for essential workers to keep their essential clearances up to date.”

“Our government wants to make life easier for the 1.9 million people with Working with Children Checks who are helping create a safer state for our kids.”

The Minns Labor government is urging all motorists to renew their commitment to safe driving as we head into the Christmas and the summer holidays.

The government can reveal 1.3 million NSW drivers remain eligible to have a demerit point removed from their licence within 5 weeks if they remain infringement free.

The 1-year demerit point scheme trial to encourage safe driving comes to a close on 17 January 2024 – meaning those who have maintained an offence-free record since 17 January this year will have 1 demerit point scrubbed from their licence.

The NSW Government announced in June that the trial would come into effect 6 months earlier than first flagged, allowing drivers who maintain a spotless record the chance to shed a demerit point sooner.

At that time there were 1.7 million motorists eligible, with almost 400,000 having since committed an offence that carried at least one demerit point.

The trial has been embraced by the public and the demerit offer will remain in place in 2024.

The government is urging motorists to use the demerit return as an incentive to drive safely as the road toll has risen significantly in 2023 across Australia.

In NSW in the 12 months to 14 December, 337 people have died on the roads – an increase of 61 compared to the same 12-month period last year.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The demerit point trial is all about reducing the road toll and this comes at such a critical time as we urge all drivers to be as safe as possible heading into the end of the year and the summer holiday season when lots of us drive long distances.

“Our message is crystal clear: drive safely and you’ll get a point scrubbed from your licence. The more people who qualify for a point, the safer our roads will be.

“I am deeply concerned by the number of lives lost on NSW roads. The road toll is rising in other states so this is a shared problem across the nation, but we must do all we can here in NSW to make sure everyone gets home safely to their family.

“The NSW Government is investing almost $2.6 billion road safety programs like seatbelt compliance via our mobile phone detection cameras, as well improved infrastructure, education and fund police operations.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Drivers across NSW are used to the stick approach, so the demerit trial is an important carrot for them to maintain a clean record over this last 5 weeks of the trial period.

“If all 1.3 million motorists drive safely and within the speed limit then we will see fewer deaths at a time when we must focus on turning the road toll around.

“Road deaths are particularly hard for regional communities where people may have life-long ties to their area.

“Sadly, the fatality rate per head of population for country residents of NSW is almost 5 times that of metropolitan residents.

“Simple acts such as wearing your seatbelt and putting your phone away could just save yours or another road user’s life.

“As you embark on holiday journeys and festive adventures, be the driving force behind safer roads. Prioritise rest by taking regular breaks, obey speed limits, and follow the advisory signs. If you’re planning to drink, have a plan B.

“Be especially cautious near curves and bends, where more than half of all rural road fatalities occur.”

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Related ministerial media releases

Ministerial media release14 December 2023

Road safety funding boost for community groups across NSW

Grassroots groups across NSW are set to share in more than $400,000 worth of new funding thanks to Community Road Safety Grants delivered by the Minns Labor government.Ministerial media release13 December 2023

Phone power to the people – Liverpool Station leads the charge

The NSW Government is delivering on a key election promise, charging ahead with a new program delivering free, convenient phone chargers at Sydney train stations, with the first stand now switched on at Liverpool.Ministerial media release12 December 2023

Get set for a safe summer on NSW roads

Holiday makers are reminded to plan ahead and avoid peak travel times, for road trips with minimum stress and optimum cheer this summer festive season.

Children and families at Bear Cottage will be treated to a Christmas surprise today, with an early visit from Santa Claus.

With Rudolph and the reindeer in final preparations for Christmas Day, Santa enlisted the help of his friends at Toll Helicopter and NSW Ambulance to make the trip from the North Pole onboard the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter.

The Hon. Chris Minns MP, NSW Premier and Dr Dominic Morgan, Chief Executive of NSW Ambulance, will officially welcome the jolly man in red before helping him hand out presents to children with life-limiting illness and their families. The NSW Ambulance quintet will also be helping to spread the Christmas cheer, playing carols for guests.

Part of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Bear Cottage is the only children’s hospice in NSW, supporting 250 families a year and providing respite and end-of-life care in a home-like environment. The facility offers families an opportunity to take a break from the medical aspects of their child’s care and focus on creating lifelong memories.

This is the seventh consecutive year Santa has teamed up with the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter to make his special visit.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Bear Cottage is a special place for the children and their families who call it home.

“It is my privilege to be here with the children and families at Bear Cottage this festive season.

“I am so pleased Santa Claus is helping to delivering some festive spirit to these kids and their families.

“Thank you to Santa and the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter team for continuing their traditional Christmas visit from the North Pole to Bear Cottage.

“I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the team at Bear Cottage for supporting these families during 2023 at their home away from home.”

Dr Dominic Morgan, Chief Executive of NSW Ambulance, said:

“NSW Ambulance takes great pride in helping others in need, and that’s why our critical care doctors and paramedics, along with the Toll/Ambulance Rescue Helicopter pilot and staff, are here today to join Santa in bringing a smile to the faces of children who are being cared for by Bear Cottage.”

“For our NSW Ambulance crews who work in the Toll/Ambulance Rescue helicopters, this mission is by far their favourite each year.”

“We are honoured to be a part of this very special visit and thank the staff from Bear Cottage for creating events like this that bring so much joy to these special families.”

Cathryn Cox, Chief Executive of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, said:

“We are incredibly fortunate across both Bear Cottage and our children’s hospitals to have so many people in the community supporting our patients and their families at this festive time of year.”

“Being away from home can be really challenging, especially around the holiday season, but events like this go a long way to ensuring those special memories can be made no matter where our families are.”

Narelle Martin, Nursing Manager at Bear Cottage, said:

“Santa’s visit is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year at Bear Cottage, all our children and families look forward to it.”

“The ongoing support from the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter, NSW Ambulance and so many others in the community really showcases what the festive season is all about.”

An incredibly rare Loggerhead turtle came ashore on the NSW Mid North Coast to lay her precious egg cargo, which has now been moved to safety by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service’s marine wildlife team.

Long sandy tracks led NSW National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff and NSW Turtle Watch volunteers to the nest that had been laid in a precarious position in the open last week. It’s the first known turtle nesting of the season in NSW.

With forecast king tides peaking at 1.95m on Friday and above 2m after Christmas, it looked more likely than not the eggs could be inundated or washed away.

The nest, carrying 139 eggs, was carefully excavated and the eggs were transported to a new nest site that perfectly replicated the original, well outside the king tide mark.

A group of dedicated volunteers and NPWS staff will monitor the site and protect it from predation and accidental disturbance.

If all goes well, the hatchlings should emerge at the end of summer. In NSW, Loggerhead turtle eggs typically take 75 to 90 days to hatch, depending on the temperature of the nest. 

Loggerhead turtles are listed as an endangered species in NSW and in the last 10 years, only 19 have been recorded nesting on our beaches.

Relocating eggs from a turtle nest is a tricky business and is only done when the original nest location is deemed non-viable or under threat. Marine turtle nests aren’t common and survival of the nest is never guaranteed, so these actions to intervene early will continue to give this nest a fighting chance.

Nesting marine turtles are known to lay more than 1 clutch each season, so beachgoers should lookout for distinctive tracks and immediately report sightings to NPWS 1300-0-PARKSlaunch or NSW Turtle Watchlaunch.

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“It’s wonderful to see endangered Loggerhead turtles return to NSW beaches to lay their eggs.

“As an endangered species, every single egg is precious and represents hope for this species.

“The decision to move the nest to save it from forecast king tides demonstrates the commitment of volunteers and staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to giving this endangered species the best possible chance of survival.”