Tickets and travel info

Ticketing

All you need is an Opal card or contactless payment card to travel around the Northern Beaches, Lower North Shore and beyond in NSW.

Opal cards are smartcard tickets that you keep, reload and reuse for travel on any modes of public transport in NSW. Simply add value to your Opal card then tap on and tap off to pay your fares on any Keolis Northern Beaches bus service.

If you don’t have an Opal card, you can use a contactless payment card such as an American Express, Visa or Mastercard for the same fare and benefits as an Adult Opal card.

Using Keolis Northern Beaches & Lower North Shore bus services

Travel courtesy and etiquette

There are laws, rules and guidelines to help ensure that everyone enjoys a safe and comfortable trip on Keolis 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 before you get on the bus, and take any other rubbish with you when you leave the bus.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze

Threatening, offensive or unsafe behaviours are not tolerated, and fines may apply.

Graffiti

Do not vandalise buses, 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

Eating and drinking is not permitted on Keolis 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 Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore Bus Services. It is an offence and fines apply.

Smoking

Smoking, including the use of E-Cigarettes, is not permitted on or around public transport in NSW including on board Keolis Northern Beaches buses, within 10m of bus stops and stations/depots. It is an offence and fines apply.

Travelling with animals and pets

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

Pet animals are allowed to travel Keolis Northern Beachesbuses 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.

The driver may refuse entry to pets during busy times, and may request the pet be removed from the bus if it causes issues or discomfort to other passengers whilst on the bus.

Travelling with prams and young children

Using Keolis Northern Beaches buses 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.

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.

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.

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

When securing your pram:

  • Lift up the seats in the wheelchair area, and park the pram against the side wall of the bus, facing the rear of the vehicle. The pram must have firm contact with the panel or bar behind it.
  • Ensure you have the pram secured and children strapped in with the pram brake on
  • 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. Wheelchairs and other mobility scooters have priority over prams at all times
  • 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.

Travelling with bikes and boards

Bicycles cannot be taken on Keolis Northern Beaches buses unless they are able to be folded and stowed in the luggage area.

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.

Man reading phone
There are lots of available apps to download on your smart device to help you on your journey.
Transport Apps

Accessible travel on buses

  • All buses operated by Keolis Northern Beaches are wheelchair accessible.
  • If you are person with a disability, you will be given priority boarding. The bus driver will assist you with getting on and off the bus safely. Read the accessible bus travel information (opens in a new tab) when planning your trip.
  • If you have limited mobility or feel unsteady on your feet, sit near the front of the bus. Stay seated and avoid changing seats while the bus is moving. When getting off the bus, use the front doors.
  • If travelling with a pram and young children (opens in a new tab), you can board with the child in the pram on accessible buses. You can also take your child out, fold up the pram and carry or assist your child onto the bus.
  • There is an accessible next stop button in the mobility aid seating area that indicates to the driver to pull in close and lower the bus at the next stop.

If you require assistance or the ramp to board the bus, position yourself in a safe spot where the driver can see you when waiting at the bus stop.

When catching a bus with your mobility device, the driver can assist with:

  • lowering the bus and extending the ramp so you can get on and off
  • asking other passengers to move so you can access the designated area
  • service and trip planning information.

For more information, please go to Accessible Bus Travel information (opens in a new tab).

If you would like to provide suggestions on how we can make our bus services more accessible, please contact us through the feedback form (opens in a new tab).

Bus Line Mona Vale

Hidden Disabilities

Our aim is to ensure everyone travelling on our network feels safe and supported, can travel with confidence, and has a positive experience.

As not every disability is visible, we have delivered training to our staff to raise awareness of the wide range of non-visible disabilities and have become a proud supporter of the Sunflower Lanyard initiative.

The Sunflower Lanyard can be worn by anyone who wants to discreetly indicate that they have a hidden disability. Wearing the Sunflower Lanyard whilst waiting at a bus stop or travelling onboard one of our buses, will discreetly let our Bus Drivers know that the wearer may need more time or support during their journey.

Lanyards are available to anyone who believes it will assist them with their journey, and they can be collected for free from the Lost Property desks at one of our depots, between 8am and 4pm (Monday to Friday):

  • Brookvale – 630-636 Pittwater Road, Brookvale NSW 2100
  • Mona Vale – 58 Darley Street, Mona Vale NSW 2103
  • North Sydney – 359 Ernest Street, Neutral Bay NSW 2089

For more information about Hidden Disabilities and how we are supporting the program, please click the button below.

Find out more