Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian urged people heading into the Sydney CBD for the last few days of Vivid this weekend to leave the car at home and take advantage of extra bus and train services.
Significant road closures will again be in place throughout the CBD from today through to Monday and ferries are expected to reach capacity early, so anyone heading to Vivid should plan their trip to and from the event on a train or a bus.
Ms Berejiklian said Vivid attracted huge crowds last year over the June long weekend and the same is expected this year, particularly on Saturday and Sunday.
"We’ve seen strong crowds at Vivid over the opening two weekends and we know from last year the long weekend will be even more popular – so it’s crucial to plan your trip ahead of time and take advantage of extra buses and trains," Ms Berejiklian said.
"Customers have been fantastic over the last few weeks and I’d like to thank them for their patience as thousands of people have flocked to the CBD and taken advantage of more than 3500 extra public transport services to see the Vivid display.
"Ferries have regularly operated at capacity throughout the event, and with industrial action scheduled across the weekend, disruptions will be unavoidable, so the best advice is to catch a train or bus.
"I am disappointed in this irresponsible and disgraceful action by the unions to disrupt ferries on one of the busiest weekends for customers in and around the Harbour."
Vivid Sydney takes place nightly from 6pm, with the lights going out on this year’s event at midnight on Monday, 9 June, which is a public holiday.
Extensive road closures will be in place in the CBD, Circular Quay, The Rocks and Walsh Bay from 7pm tonight and from 5pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
"Motorists should not drive into the city over the long weekend as you won't be able to see the lights from your car and many roads will be shut," she said.
On Saturday and Sunday nights, all roads north of Bridge Street will be closed along with George Street between Market Street and The Rocks.
Parking restrictions will also be in place across the city from 3pm today until midnight and over the long weekend. Vehicles left in special event clearways will be towed away and fees and fines apply.
Over the weekend, extra trains will be running and there will be services on the City Circle around every five minutes until midnight. Extra buses will also be running in and out of the city on key corridors.
To help with crowd movement between 6pm and 10pm, trains will not drop off customers at Circular Quay Station on Saturday and Sunday night. Passengers are advised to get off the train at Wynyard and walk from there.
Additional bus services will be leaving the CBD tonight between 8.30pm and midnight. On Saturday and Sunday nights, extra bus services start running into the city from 3.30pm.
Before you set out, make sure you plan your trip at www.vividsydney.com, call 131 500 or download a train or bus app from the App Store or Google Play.
Customers encouraged to take train and bus services to Vivid this weekend.pdf (pdf 81KB)