Using public transport

Being courteous makes using public transport more enjoyable for everyone

When travelling with Newcastle Transport, we thank you for following these simple tips:

• Offer your seat to someone who needs it more than you. This includes people who are older, who have a disability or impaired mobility, who are pregnant or travelling with children.
• Make room for people getting on or off.
• Do not block the doors or aisles with prams, bags or bikes and boards.
• Do not take up more than one seat when others are standing.
• Do not put your feet on the seats.
• Use headphones with mobile devices and keep the volume down.
• Speak quietly when on the phone.
• Put your rubbish in the bin.
• Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze.
• Threatening, offensive or unsafe behaviours are not tolerated and fines may apply.

For more information on travel offences and when fines apply, visit transportnsw.info.

Approved assistance animals are allowed on Newcastle Transport.

Pets may be allowed to travel on light rail, buses, ferries if confined in a box, basket or other container as required by the NSW Passenger Transport Act and regulations. However, permission is still required by staff or the bus driver.

Guide, hearing, police and security dogs do not require a permit

When boarding public transport with a pet or other animal, please be aware that:

• The animal must be restrained in a suitable box, basket or other container at all times while on board.
• The driver or crew may refuse to allow the animal if the service is reaching capacity.
• Animals that are not clean, appear vicious or likely to annoy, threaten or inconvenience other customers will not be allowed.
• Animals are not allowed on seats and must not obstruct passageways.
• You should keep your animal away from other travelling animals to ensure the safety and comfort of other customers and pets

On ferries, animals should not travel in the enclosed ferry cabin areas, unless the vessel does not have an outdoor area or it is unavailable. 

On Newcastle light rail

Standard bicycles are not allowed on Newcastle light rail for safety reasons, however fold up bicycles are permitted. You can also take surfboards free of charge at any time and you can place them in the dedicated surfboard racks available in each carriage.
There are many cycling paths in the Newcastle CBD

On buses

Bicycles cannot be taken on buses because they are difficult to stow without
inconveniencing or potentially endangering other passengers.
Surfboards can be taken on board, although the driver may refuse if the service is at capacity.

On ferries

Bicycles and surfboards are permitted on the Stockton Ferry and there are special storage areas for bicycles and surfboards. Ask the crew where they are located. For safety reasons you must remain with or near your bike during the journey.
However, the crew can refuse to allow a bike on board if there is a safety concern or not enough room for it to be safely stowed on board.

All late night services in the Opal network accept Opal cards and most are wheelchair accessible.
You can use Trip Planner or a transport app to plan your late night travel.

Newcastle light rail services

Light rail services in Newcastle operate between 5am and 1am, daily.
Find a timetable or plan your trip.

NightOwl bus services

Extra late night buses run on weekends with services around local hot spots.
The NightOwl buses run after midnight and throughout the early hours of the morning in Newcastle on weekends.
NightOwl bus services run on Friday and Saturday nights only.

NightOwl bus routes

The following services run in one direction from the departure points.

Ferry services

The ferry operates from:

• Monday to Thursday from 5am to 11pm,
• Friday from 5am to midnight,
• Saturday from 5.30 am to midnight,
• Sunday from 8.45am to 10pm.
• Late Friday and Saturday nights the bus route 55N travels between Queens Wharf and Stockton.

The route 55N picks up passengers to the end of Beaumont Street, and then sets down passengers in the Stockton area.

You can use Trip Planner or a transport app to plan your late night travel.

Light rail stops and platforms

• Keep the pathway clear around you at the stop to allow others to walk past safely.
• When waiting on the platform, stand back from the track behind the yellow line.
• Wait until the light rail has come to a complete stop before attempting to board.
• Never touch a moving vehicle.
• If you have dropped something on the track, do not collect it yourself. Use the Emergency Help Point on the platform to receive assistance.
• Be cautious when crossing the tracks. Never cross if a vehicle is approaching. Follow the guidelines for level crossing safety.

Boarding and travelling on the light rail

• Stand back to allow passengers to get off the light rail before you get on.
• If travelling with a pram and young children, hold their hands when boarding to ensure they are not left behind and when on board in case the vehicle moves suddenly.
• Do not board at the rear and front single doors if you have a pram or other large item. Please note that bikes are not allowed on Newcastle light rail.
• Mind the gap and be careful getting on and off the light rail.
• Take a seat if one is available or hold onto a handrail.
• If you are concerned about your safety or the safety of others, or in an emergency, please:
  • Move away from danger if possible
  • Alert the driver by using the Emergency Help Point on board
  • Listen for instructions from the driver

Security on the light rail

All light rail vehicles and platforms have CCTV cameras and Emergency Help Points installed for the protection of passengers and staff.

Our Customer Service Officers regularly travel on light rail vehicles and stops.

If you need immediate help, contact the police on 000 or use the Emergency Help Points.

If you see something, say something

By reporting security incidents, unattended items or suspicious behaviour, you can help us respond to any immediate problems and make it safer for everyone.

Call 000 or contact the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.

CCTV and Emergency Help Points

For your personal security, Newcastle Transport Customer Service Officers regularly travel on trams, all tram drivers are directly connected to our operations centre, and many trams are equipped with CCTV cameras. 

On all Newcastle light rail vehicles and at each light rail stop, Emergency Help Points are available and CCTV cameras are installed.

If you press an Emergency Help Point at any light rail stop, you’re visible on live CCTV and can get assistance from a trained operator.

If you press an Emergency Help Point on board the light rail, the driver will assist you and contact the control centre.

A security control centre operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with communication links to transport officers, police and emergency services.

Follow these tips to travel safely by bus:

• Wait at the bus stop where you can signal and be seen by the driver.
• Allow passengers to get off the bus before you get on.
• Watch your step and mind the gutter when getting on and off the bus.
• Use the handrail when boarding.
• If seated, be courteous and offer your seat to someone who needs it more than you. This includes people who are older, who have a disability or impaired mobility, who are pregnant or travelling with children.
• If no seats are available, move to the back of the bus and hold onto the hand rails and straps and do not stand in the safety area around the doors.
• Ensure luggage, bags and personal items are stowed correctly and are not blocking the aisle.
• Give the driver plenty of time when you ring the bell before your stop to allow the bus to safely and smoothly pull into the stop.
• Do not distract the driver when driving the bus unless there is a security or safety incident.
• If you need information about the route or your destination, ask the driver when you board or when the bus is at a bus stop.

If you are concerned about your safety or the safety of others, or in an emergency, please:

• Move away from danger if possible
• Alert the driver
• Listen for instructions from the driver

Follow these tips to travel safely by ferry:

• When waiting for your service and for the ferry to berth, wait a safe distance away from the water’s edge. Follow instructions given by the ferry crew. Waiting areas are provided at Queens Wharf and Stockton Wharf for your comfort.
• If you have a mobility aid or pram, ensure it is secured and parked sideways, rather than facing the water.
• If you see someone in the water requiring assistance, use the lifebuoy on the wharf. Immediately alert the crew if available
• Allow passengers to get off the ferry before you get on. The crew holding the gangway will let you know when it is safe to board.
• Be careful as you walk over the gangway, hold onto the handrail and watch your footing. If you need assistance, please ask the ferry crew.
• Do not sit on the bow or side of the vessel.
• Do not lean out the windows or stand on the seats.
• Ensure luggage, bags and personal items are stowed correctly and are not blocking the aisle. Use the bike stowage instructions.
• When waiting to disembark, stand behind the yellow area on the vessels and follow instructions from the ferry crew.
• All ferries have life jackets. Please use as directed by staff.

If you are concerned about your safety or the safety of others, or in an emergency, please:

• Move away from danger if possible
• Alert the driver
• Listen for instructions from the bus driver or ferry crew

All Newcastle Transport ferries and most buses are equipped with CCTV cameras. Police and Transport Officers regularly patrol buses, interchanges, ferries and wharves. If you need immediate help, contact the police on 000, talk to the bus driver, crew member or customer service officers.

If you see something, say something.

By reporting security incidents, unattended items or suspicious behaviour, you can help us respond to any immediate problems and make it safer for everyone. Call 000 or contact the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400

If you notice a vandal damaging carriages, vehicles, vessels, shelters or facilities notify Newcastle Transport staff immediately or call the police on 000. If you have information regarding vandals, you can report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Threatening, offensive or unsafe behaviours are not tolerated and fines may apply. 

In an emergency, call 000.

If you are not feeling well or you see someone who looks like they need help, speak to bus driver or security staff where available and they will help to arrange medical assistance.

At large transport interchanges, use the Emergency Help Points.

Please do not board the bus or ferry if you’re not feeling well at the stop or wharf. We will be able to get help to you much quicker this way.