Multimodal transport operator Transdev chalked up healthy increases in patronage in 2023 – on all the public transport it ran across both Australia and New Zealand.
Transdev’s increase in passenger trips for the 2023 calendar year compared to 2022 included:
• 47% jump on Auckland’s Howick and Eastern buses
• 47% jump on Sydney Light Rail and Sydney Ferries
• 27% increase on Wellington trains and buses
• 24% increase on Brisbane Redlands buses.
It’s a trend that Transdev Australia and New Zealand CEO Brian Brennan said was encouraging across all levels of Transdev’s multi-modal operations.
“The numbers on our services show more and more people here and across the ditch are coming back to public transport post-COVID,” Mr Brennan said.
“With more people on board public transport we’re doing everything to continue that trend and end that love affair with our cars.
“Catching public transport is better for the planet, kinder on your wallet and mostly less stress and hassle and no car parking needed.”
Mr Brennan said the increase had been driven by the return of big events, sporting and international acts and more people back in offices.
“It’s proof that investing in public transport works when you have that service frequency and reliability. I also believe our amazing people have played a part in that too by looking after our customers with brilliant basics every day.”
Globally, Transdev makes about 12 million trips each day on public transport across 19 countries.
| MODE | 2023 TRIPS | 2022 TRIPS |
| Sydney Light Rail | 37.7m | 25m |
| Sydney Region 9 | 49.4m | 28.2m (9mths operation) |
| Sydney Ferries | 15.5m | 10.5m |
| Qld Bus | 2.3m | 1.86m |
| NZ Wellington Rail | 11.4m | 9m |
| NZ Wellington Bus | 100,156 | 79,297 |
| NZ Auckland Bus | 6m | 4.1m |