Tickets and travel info

There are laws, rules and guidelines to help ensure that everyone enjoys a safe and comfortable trip on Keolis Downer Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore Bus Services. Being courteous makes using public transport more enjoyable for everyone, so please follow these etiquette tips and rules.

When on board, 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.

Other things you can do to be considerate of others:

• Make room for people getting on or off
• Do not block the doors or aisles with prams, bags or bikes and boards
• Carry your backpack by its handle and when standing put your backpack on the floor between your legs to avoid causing any inconvenience to other passengers
• 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.

Do not vandalise Bus Services, stations or stops in any way. Fines apply.

If you notice a graffiti offender or vandal damaging a vehicle, stop or facility then please notify 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.

Alternatively, you can report existing graffiti online at transportnsw.info/contact-us/feedback (opens in a new tab), choose the transport mode on which you saw the graffiti, and in the ‘relating to’ field on the form, please ensure you select ‘Graffiti’.

Eating and drinking is not permitted on Keolis Downer Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore Bus Services unless needed for a medical condition. If you are caught eating or drinking, fines may apply.

Drinking alcohol or being in possession of an open container of alcohol is not permitted on most public transport, including Keolis Downer Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore Bus Services. It is an offence and fines apply.

Smoking is not permitted on or around public transport in NSW including on board Keolis

Downer Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore buses, stops and stations/depots. It is an offence and fines apply.

Assistance animals with a valid form of accepted accreditation are allowed on all public transport in NSW.

Pet animals are allowed to travel Keolis Downer Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore Bus Services if confined in a box, basket or other container as required by the NSW Passenger Transport Act and regulations (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au (opens in a new tab)). However, permission is still required by staff or the driver.

Using Keolis Downer Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore Bus Services to get around with prams and young children is easy, accessible and affordable.

Children aged three years and under travel free and don’t need a ticket. Children aged 4-15 (inclusive) pay child fares. You can plan an accessible trip using the Trip Planner.

There are some important safety measures to be aware of when travelling by bus with prams and young children. When waiting for or boarding a bus:

• Strap your child in securely and hold on to your pram
• Apply the pram’s parking brake and park parallel to the edge of the footpath
• Stand away from the curb at bus stops
• Board with the pram in front, lifting the front wheels over the gap
• Place prams out of the way of other passengers or staff
• When young children are not in the pram, hold their hands when getting on and off
• Keep children seated and close to you when waiting for and when on board the bus
• Never leave a pram or children unattended

Some buses can be lowered by the driver, so they are closer to the kerb. If needed, the bus driver can also extend the accessible ramp to help passengers board the bus.

Accessible buses have specific accessible areas for prams and wheelchairs near the front of the bus, which will allow children to remain in the pram while on board.

If the accessible door is the centre door, you will need to advise the driver that you wish to board via the centre door.

The bus driver will wait until you have boarded, the pram is secure and you are safely seated before moving.

When securing your pram:

• Ensure you have the pram secured and children strapped in with the pram brake on
• The front of the pram must be facing towards the back of the bus and be in firm contact with the panel or bar behind it
• Attach the tether or restraining device provided through the pram handle as high as possible for maximum stability
• Remove all shopping, luggage or items that are hanging from the pram handles so the pram does not fall over. You can place them in the luggage rack, hold them or place them under your seat

You’ll need to fold your pram or stroller and store it in the luggage rack if:

• The bus driver advises that there is not enough space on board the bus to safely park the pram
• It is not a wheelchair accessible bus
• The designated accessible area is already occupied or it is required throughout the trip

In those circumstances, you will need to fold the pram away and store it out of the way of others and find a seat. The children in your care will need to be seated with you. It is not safe to stand and carry a child while the bus is moving. Alternatively, you can wait for the next accessible bus.

Bicycles cannot be taken on Keolis Downer Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore 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. However:

• You must ensure that it does not prevent other passengers from getting a seat.
• Ensure that it does not cause inconvenience or risk to other passengers.
• Keep it secure so it is not a safety concern for other passengers and staff
• It must be clear of the aisle, doorways and emergency exits
• It is best to avoid peak hour services

Please go to https://transportnsw.info/travel-info/using-public-transport/travelling-with-bikes-surfboards (opens in a new tab) for more information.