Page 135 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

GE T TING AROUND SY DNEY  133

Travelling by Bus bus. Below this symbol, the num­
bers of all buses along the route
Government-owned Sydney buses provide a punctual service are clearly listed. Large circular
that links up conveniently with the city’s rail and ferry systems. light blue signs with a capital “B”
As well as covering city and suburban areas, there are the on them also indicate major bus
excellent privately owned sightseeing bus routes – the Sydney stops and interchanges.
Timetables are usually found
Explorer and the Bondi Explorer. The Transport Infoline can at main bus stops. They are also
advise you on routes, fares and journey times for all Sydney available at Sydney Buses Transit
buses. Armed with the map printed on the inside back cover Shops, as well as on Transport
of this book and an Opal card, you can enjoy travelling about NSW online and mobile sites.
the city without the difficulties and expense of city parking. Public holidays usually follow
the Sunday timetable.
Using Sydney Buses
Sightseeing by Bus
Sydney Buses operates an
extensive network with comfor­ Two Sydney bus routes run
table, modern buses covering by Sydney Explorer, the open­
more than 300 routes across the top double­decker Sydney
city and suburbs. Route numbers Explorer and the Bondi Explorer,
and journey destinations are offer flexible sightseeing with
displayed on the front, back and commentaries in several langua­
left side of all Sydney buses. An ges. The Sydney Explorer covers a
“X” or “E” in front of the number 32­km (20­mile) circuit and stops
means that it is an express bus; at 26 of the city’s most popular
an “L” indicates limited stops. Red attractions. The Bondi Explorer
buses with routes starting with travels through a number of
“M” are high­capacity metro Opal reader, which should be tapped with Sydney’s eastern suburbs with
buses that cover routes used by the card at the start and end of each journey 10 stops, taking in much of the
large numbers of commuters. area’s coastal scenery.
Buses also feature electronic Opal balance will be displayed. The red Sydney Explorer buses
displays that scroll to show the You do not need to tap on and run daily every 15 to 20 minutes,
areas the bus travels through. off single Opal tickets bought the Bondi route every 30
When you see your bus from the driver on board. minutes. The advantage of these
approaching, raise your arm to When you wish to alight, press services is that you can explore at
signal to the driver that you want one of the stop buttons well will, getting on and off as often
the bus to stop. Most buses have before the bus reaches your stop. as you wish for the duration of
stepless entries, which allow less The doors are electronic and can your ticket validity. Explorer bus
mobile passengers and people only be opened by the drivers. stops are clearly marked. One­
with strollers to board with ease. Note that eating, drinking and and two­day tickets are available
Buses also have priority seating smoking are prohibited on buses. for hop­on/hop­off travel on
areas at the front for disabled, both Explorer routes and can be
elderly or less mobile passengers. bought when boarding a bus.
Single­journey Opal tickets ­journey Opal tickets ­ Bus Stops Tickets are also available from
can be purchased on board Bus stops are indicated by yellow most hotels, information kiosks
regular buses from the driver on and black signs with a profile of a and some newsagents.
routes outside the city centre
but not on pre­paid services. Try
to have coins ready as drivers are
not always able to change large
notes. You will be given a ticket
valid for that journey only. Buses
with a “pre­pay” sign require you
to have an Opal card or single
Opal ticket before you board.
You must have pre­paid tickets
to board buses in the city centre.
Opal cards are available at main
bus stops, convenience stores
and newsagents. You must tap
your Opal card on and off using
the touch pad located inside the
bus doors at the start and end of
your journey. Your remaining Sightseeing on the open-top Sydney Explorer bus