Sydney's Public Transport Services Are Running on Weekend Timetables Due to Staff Shortages

If Monday, January 10 marks the beginning of your working year for 2022, you might be wishing you were still on holidays. And, Sydney's public transport mightn't be helping that feeling subside, given that the network is currently still operating on weekend timetables.

Transport for NSW has made the change in response to staff shortages due to rising COVID-19 cases, with only ferries and replacement buses for the L1 Dulwich Hill light rail line remaining on normal weekday timetables until further notice. For all other services, weekend timings are in effect — although exactly what timetables each service is operating to varies.

Sydney Trains are on a modified weekend timetable, but there'll be extra services in peak and high-demand periods to ensure that trains remain COVID-safe. NSW TrainLink Intercity services are also on a modified weekend timetable, and customers travelling on a regional service that have their travel impacted will be contacted.

Sydney bus services are largely running on Saturday timetables, while Sydney Metro services are sticking with vacation timetabling. And back on light rail, the L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford services are using Sunday frequencies.

Announcing the changes, Transport for NSW advised that "COVID-related staff shortages have impacted most public transport services. We are managing these impacts to ensure the safety of our customers and staff while also providing vital transport services."

Customers are encouraged to plan for extra travel time — and folks travelling on public transport need to wear masks, social distance, sanitise their hands, and only sit or stand on the green dots.

For more information about Transport for NSW's timetable changes, head to its website.