FAQs - Taking Belongings on Public Transport

Following are common Taking Belongings on Public Transport Specific questions.

Can I take my pet on trains and buses?

RailCorp Trains: Information on taking animals on trains can be found on the CityRail Website.

STA Buses / Private Buses: Customers with a disability are welcome on board a bus with an assistance animal or an assistance animal in training (for example, a seeing-eye dog; a dog for the hearing impaired; a disability service animal) at all times. There are no restrictions for these animals.

Customers may board a bus with a dog, cat, bird or other animal which is not a disability service animal provided it is suitably confined in a box, basket or other container as required by the NSW Passenger Transport Act and regulations. Customers with an animal are not allowed to be on board a bus if the safety of other passengers or the bus is at risk, or the animal is unclean or not confined.

Sydney Ferries: Customers are welcome aboard Sydney Ferries' services with their Assistance Animal or their Pet according to some simple rules.

Further information on travelling on Sydney Ferries with your Animal.

Can I take my surfboard on trains and buses?

RailCorp Trains: CountryLink train services have only three spaces available for carrying bicycles, surfboards or snowboards. CountryLink Coaches have one space reserved for this type of item. Please reserve a place when purchasing your ticket and limit the weight to 20kg. Surfboards or snowboards less than 2m long can be checked in as luggage as long as they are packed in secure, protective coverings. On CityRail services passengers with valid tickets may travel with surfboards provided space is available on the service. Surfboards are not to be placed in a position that prevents other fare paying passengers from occupying a seat. It is recommended that passengers wishing to travel with surfboards avoid peak hour services.

STA Buses / Private Buses: Passengers may carry a surfboard on a bus provided it does not cause inconvenience or a danger to other passengers. The bus driver will refuse the carrying of a surfboard if there is insufficient room on the bus and the surfboard cannot be stowed clear of the isle and the doorways of the bus.

Can I take my bike on trains and buses?

RailCorp Trains: Bicycles are permitted on trains free of charge on the weekend and in off-peak periods. However, if part or all of your journey is made between 6am - 9am or between 3.30pm to 7.30pm on weekdays you must purchase a child ticket for the bicycle as well as a ticket for yourself.

STA Buses / Private Buses: Passengers are not allowed to carry a bicycle on a bus because it cannot be accommodated on a bus without inconvenience or danger to other passengers.

Sydney Ferries: Bicycles are permitted on ferries free of charge at all times.

Carriage of bicycles is as the discretion of the crew due to safety requirements and may be limited due to capacity constraints.

The Manly service vessels have areas where bicycles can be secured during the journey. Please ask the crew where they are located. For all other vessels, please ask the crew to guide you to the most appropriate area to stow your bicycle during the trip.

For your convenience, secure bicycle lockers are available at some wharves.

Can I eat or drink on Public Transport?

STA Buses / Private Buses: No food or drink may be consumed while travelling on buses, except under special circumstances (such as medical condition). Fines of up to $100 apply for comitting this offence.

Ferries: Food and drink is allowed on Sydney Ferries services, excluding alcohol. Passengers are encouraged to take any rubbish with them. There are no bins on board vessels or wharves, for security reasons. The Manly Ferry has a cafe located onboard where food and drink may be purchased during the journey.

Trains: Consumption of food and drink, excluding alcohol, is permitted on CityRail services providing all rubbish is taken with you or disposed of in bins provided (bin on intercity services only). CountryLink passengers over 18 may purchase and consume alcohol onboard but, under the Liquor Licensing Act, cannot consume alcohol purchased elsewhere. Please consider your fellow passengers and abide by this health and safety requirement.