This year's Mardi Gras will get a big boost with metro and rail services running 24 hours for the first time ever and plans for venues to trade into the early morning, as part of the Minns Labor Government's ongoing push to rebuild Sydney's night-time economy.
This year's event is set to benefit from special event trading hours which would allow eligible hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, nightclubs and live music venues in the Oxford Street cultural and creative precinct to trade until 6am on Sunday 1 March.
Supporting the parade and the late trade, partygoers can jump on a metro train every 5-10 minutes from 5pm to 2am, then every 20 minutes until regular daytime frequencies resume at 5am. This builds on two years of successful all night metro services on New Years Eve.
Sydney Trains will operate a 24-hour service with trains running every hour from midnight to the first regular Sunday services on the City Circle, T1 Western Line, T1 North Shore Line, T2 Inner West Line and T9 Northern Line and to Bondi Junction on the T4 Eastern Suburb Line until 3am Sunday.
Light rail will run a 24-hour service on the L1 Dulwich Hill, L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford lines with a service every 15 to 20 minutes until normal services resume Sunday morning.
Bus routes 370 and 343 will run 24 hours with added hourly services on Sunday. Around 300 extra bus services will run to the city from Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and North Shore throughout the afternoon, along with additional NightRide buses.
The special Mardi Gras transport services build on a year-round uplift in regular late night bus services which now includes 37 all night services.
With thousands of people attending the parade and major road closures in place from 4pm to 2am on Sunday morning.
For the best views of the parade:
- Northern side viewing in Darlinghurst: Use Town Hall, St James, Martin Place or Kings Cross train stations, or Gadigal Metro station.
- Southern side viewing in Surry Hills: Use Central station. For Parade viewing along Flinders Street, use the Moore Park Light Rail stop.
For more information on public transport for the parade, including extra services and trip planning, visit the event page at transportnsw.info or plan ahead using the Opal Travel app or other transport planning apps. Motorists can check Live Traffic NSW for the latest information on road closures.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"It's great to be able to give the Mardis Gras a boost after the late cancellation of the official afterparty. We want unofficial afterparties to kick on all around Oxford Street, knowing there's even more safe and affordable ways to get home.
"A great night out and good transport go hand in hand, and that's why we're running metro and rail services 24 hours in line with trading hour extensions for this year's Mardis Gras.
"We know that public transport is a vital part of a thriving 24-hour economy. We've been increasing bus services at night and this is a great chance to see the impact of increased metro, rail and light rail services."
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said:
"Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is the pride of Australia's major events calendar. Each year, the Parade brings tens of thousands of people to Sydney, which not only celebrates diversity and inclusion, but also makes a significant contribution to the businesses and jobs that rely on our visitor economy.
"We have been clear from the start; we want to bring the entertainment and vibrancy back to Sydney. Extending trading hours will mean locals and visitors alike can make the most of the Mardi Gras."
Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:
"Mardi Gras is a festival of fun and celebration which continues well beyond the parade and the NSW Government wants to ensure venues and patrons can make the most of this hugely popular event.
"These extended trading hours will allow festival-goers to dance the night away and venues to benefit from the thousands of visitors and locals who flock to our city for this special celebration."
Executive Director of Business Sydney Paul Nicolau said:
"Running Metro, train and light rail services around the clock for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a fantastic step forward for our city.
"It means people can celebrate safely, stay longer, and get home easily, while supporting local businesses and boosting the night-time economy.
Night Time Industries Association CEO Mick Gibb:
"This is a big win for Sydneysiders who want to come out and experience one of the best parties of the year.
"Industry has long said that when you give people safe, affordable ways to get home late at night, everyone wins.
"Late night venues can stay open with confidence, punters can enjoy themselves without stressing about the last train or breaking the bank on a taxi, and the city can actually function as the global destination it is.
