Hundreds of additional transport staff are being deployed across the network to assist customers as more people return to work and students are back in the classroom full time.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said hundreds of Transport Officers, Security Officers and Marshalling Officers will be out from tomorrow to help customers physical distance and stay safe on the network.
“This week we announced the COVIDSafe Transport Plan and rolled out green physical distancing dots across the entire network to show customers the safest places to sit and stand,” Mr Constance said.
“These Marshalling Response and Support Teams will monitor physical distancing, assist with crowd management and provide extra guidance to customers to help them move through stations and interchanges safely.
“This could mean forming lines at bus stops or limiting the amount of people who can enter onto a platform.
Mr Constance said customers will see these teams out and about across all modes of transport from tomorrow’s morning peak.
“Initially, 20 teams will be rolled out at key interchanges and transport hubs across Sydney and other busy centres including at Newcastle, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains.
“We are using data to identify key interchanges where these teams will be deployed, including Wynyard, Blacktown, Hurstville and Chatswood.”
Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said these new teams bolster efforts in providing a safe and clean public transport system, especially with students returning to school full time.
“Transport has a vital role to play in getting students back to school and we want to assure parents and carers we are working hard to support this return,” Mr Collins said.
“Most importantly, no school student will be turned away from any public transport, even if this means physical distancing won’t always be possible.
“Cleaning has been ramped up across the metro and regional networks, with more than 700 extra cleaners hired since March.
“These cleaning efforts will now include new real-time cleaners across the public transport network.”
“Customers are already seeing Sanitisation and Hygiene Agile Response Cleaners (SHARC) boarding buses at Bondi Junction and Parramatta to clean high touch areas, including Opal Card readers and stop buttons, in preparation for the next service.
“I am pleased to announce this initiative will also be rolled out at Wollongong Station from next week, with SHARC teams to be rolled out regionally, including Newcastle and Lismore, in the coming weeks,” Mr Collins said.
Mr Constance reminded road users to remain vigilant saying we expect to see significant increased activity around schools from tomorrow.
“As we are asking everyone to consider their travel options, including driving, this is not the time to get complacent about road safety,” Mr Constance said.
“We want to remind everyone 40 km/h school zones are active on every NSW school day.
“We are doing everything we practically can to keep everyone safe but we also need them to play their part.
“Our frontline transport staff have been doing an amazing job during this unprecedented time and we urge you to keep giving them your respect and understanding.”
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