Coasties intending to head for Sydney on New Year’s Eve are being urged to ditch their cars and take advantage of thousands of extra high-frequency public transport services to get them into the city and home again.
Most harbour vantage points are not ticketed this year, meaning people can secure spots on a ‘first in, best dressed’ basis and spectators are encouraged to arrive early to avoid missing out.
Check the Sydney NYE website before heading out for the latest updates on vantage points.
Transport for NSW Coordinator General Howard Collins said customers should consider all available journey options, especially those travelling from areas impacted by essential road and rail works.
“We’re expecting to move hundreds of thousands of people into and around the city for the fireworks, so we want customers to plan their journeys and aim to arrive at their destinations early,” he said.
“With thousands of extra train and bus services running from about 2pm on New Year’s Eve, public transport is your key to unlocking a stress-free way to travel.
“Major roads will close from as early as 6am on New Year’s Eve with widespread parking restriction in effect so it’s best to leave the car at home.
“If you must drive or are catching rideshare and taxis, be aware of road closure locations and timings, plan ahead and expect heavy traffic.
“Ensure you have a safe journey because the city is different on New Year’s Eve, with huge crowds, road closures and entry cut-off times at some vantage points.”
NSW Police and New Year’s Eve Police Operation Commander, Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke, said high numbers of spectators are expected.
“This means venues and areas around the harbour you expect to be available may be full on your arrival,” he said.
“I urge everyone to plan ahead and have alternative options if your first choice of vantage point isn’t available.
“Police will have a high presence across the transport network and in transport hubs such as train stations.
“Those who want to ruin the night for others won’t be tolerated.
“These officers will be targeting those engaging in anti-social and dangerous behaviour.
“During the operation police will also be uniformed and plain clothed meaning the person next to you on the train may be a police officer.”
Major road closures to be aware of on New Year’s Eve: the Cahill Expressway will be closed in both directions from 6am; road closures in Circular Quay and The Rocks will start from 2pm; from 5pm major roads in North Sydney, Milsons Point and Kirribilli will be closed; by 7pm most roads in the Sydney CBD centre and some roads in Pyrmont will be closed; the citybound lanes of the Anzac Bridge and the Iron Cove Link tunnel citybound will close from 8.30pm to 9.30pm and again from 11pm to 1.30am; the M4 and M8 tunnel citybound exits to Anzac Bridge will close from 8.30pm to 1.30am.
From 10pm major roads around Wynyard Station will close and the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be completely closed from 11pm until 1:30am, along with all major roads in the city.
For New Year’s Eve travel advice, visit transportnsw.info/sydney-nye
For real-time updates on traffic conditions, including road closures, visit livetraffic.com