Don’t Forget: FREE public transport over the Easter holidays starts this Thursday!

By ANNA USHER

Public transport across NSW is free for 12 days from Thursday after industrial chaos and ongoing strikes this year.

Trains, buses, trams, and all ferry services will be included, NSW Transport Minister David Elliott said.

Mr Elliott has encouraged NSW residents to “get out there and enjoy themselves” during the free period.

“There are no excuses not to go and use those Dine and Discover vouchers, no excuses not to go and get on Sydney harbour, and no excuses not to explore the nooks and crannies the metro and light rail can take you to,” he said.

It is the last school holidays where the Dine and Discover vouchers will be valid. The free travel extends over Easter, the school holidays, and Anzac Day.

Transport for NSW boss Howard Collins said the Freshwater ferry will be running (hooray!) and extra train and bus services to and from the Sydney Royal Easter Show are also scheduled.

There will also be additional services on the morning of Anzac Day for the dawn service, Mr Elliott added.

While no fare will be charged, transport officials hope to collect data on how many people use the free services.

The free fares will apply across the Opal network, meaning Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter and the Illawarra.

Parking at Transport Park & Ride car parks will continue to be free for up to 18 hours at a time.

The fare-free period has been billed as an apology for the chaos caused in February when the NSW government shut down Sydney’s rail network for a day.

It’s also meant to boost businesses by encouraging people to explore the region during school holidays, Mr Elliott said.