Distinctive green dot stickers are being placed on trains, buses and other public transport to show passengers where they can sit or stand while maintaining social distancing.
"No dot, no spot," is the state government's message to travellers.
If there is no "dot" available, passengers will have to wait for the next service. School children will be given priority access.
A total of 400,000 of stickers are being rolled out.
They are part of the government's public transport plan, released on Monday by Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance.
Normally, the Sydney public network carries about 2.2 million commuters a day, but the government's aim is to reduce the number to 550,000 to 600,000.
With 1.5 metres social distancing, buses will only be able to carry 12 passengers, while 32 commuters will be able to ride in a train carriage.
Mr Constance said they were asking travellers to self regulate.
"It's vitally important everyone look out for each other," he said.
"We need everyone to be respectful for each other, but especially front line workers - bus drivers, station staff, train drivers and guards.
"We have seen the community do a wonderful thing to work with government to keep themselves safe.
"I ask everyone to self regulate as best they can."
The government's CovidSafe Transport Plan reads:
- Avoiding peak travel: If you are not already using public transport in the peak, please do NOT use public transport in the peak. Services are already close to capacity to allow for distancing at these times. Off peak times are between 10am and 2pm.
- Deep cleaning and more hand sanitisers: Intense and ongoing cleaning will occur throughout the transport network and there will be a continued rollout of hand sanitiser at key transport hubs, including at high demand stations.
- Boosting parking: Special event-style parking arrangements will be in place at Moore Park [from next week] for people who are able to drive to work. Other locations will be rolled out soon. In addition car park operators will be offering special deals for all day parking.
- More cycling and walking options: The government is working with councils on establishing pop-up cycleways and enhancing pedestrian access to allow more people to find alternative routes to work.
- Physical distancing - 'No dot, no spot': Distinctive green dots will be used on trains, buses and ferries to show passengers the safest places to sit and stand. A 'No dot, no spot' will see passengers asked to wait for the next service. School children will be given priority access.
- More data: Customers to be given real time information through Apps, social media and Transport Info to see which services have space available to maintain physical distancing.
- More services: Changes will be considered to increase services eg; more ferries, water taxis and private vehicle passenger services on the water.
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