Getting Around Sydney

For many migrants, getting around Sydney is one of the biggest gripes they have.

They like where they live. The like the places they visit. They just don’t like travelling between them.

Public Transport

In a Sydney Morning Herald poll, an astonishing 52 percent of readers identified Sydney’s public transport system as the biggest issue facing the city. (The next biggest issue, at 28 percent, was the city’s water supply.)

The transport problems are largely a result of government indecision and inaction. An example of the paralysis facing Sydney’s public transport system is that for years the north west suburbs, where much of Sydney’s growth is taking place, have been badly served. Despite a succession of government promises, there is still no rail service and most residents need to use cars to get to work. The latest government plan envisages building a north west rail service by 2017.

A large number of journeys by public transport arrive noticeably late and the trains seem to be getting dirtier each year. Sydneysider’s public transport use has fallen to around 10 percent for journeys to work.

Driving in Sydney

Sydney is a city of 4 million people and the vast majority of them use their cars to get to work. Predictably, Sydney suffers badly from traffic congestion and jams. If you have a strong dislike of driving in these conditions, you would be well advised to live within walking distance of your work or to get a house close to a bus stop or a train station.

If you are unaccustomed to hectic driving in a big city, adjusting to Sydney’s driving conditions can be somewhat alarming. Many migrants are amazed at the poor driving standards they see in Sydney and the risks Sydneysiders take with their own and others’ lives when they’re behind the wheel of a car.

There are a number of toll roads in Sydney and more are being built – you can get an electronic tag fitted to your car that automatically deducts the toll with no need for you to stop. Tolls vary between around $2 and $4. For example, the Harbour Bridge and Tunnel cost $3 southbound and are free of charge northbound.