Patronage on Sydney’s network is continuing to rise despite strict physical distancing measures with the NSW government considering more pop-up parking.

Theres areas of the network where I think its fair to say we need to try and guide commuters and encourage people not to travel, he said.
On Monday Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the slashing of capacity on trains, buses and ferries. Just 12 people will be allowed on a bus and 32 in a train carriage as the government works to maintain strict physical distancing of 1.5 metres on the network.
Mr Constance rejected assertions the rules had caused confusion, despite the Heraldrevealing on Tuesday bus drivers were told not to enforce social distancing, which prompted the government to re-issue advice to workers.
There were 87 million car movements per day on average across Sydney this week.Credit:Cole Bennetts
I dont think there is confusion, yeah theres been odd pieces of information go to employees through the (State Transit Authority) and all of those types of things, but …Im seeing a good response, he said.
Mr Constance said the government was ready for the anticipated surge in commuters from Monday as 800,000 students return to school and workers return to the city amid easing restrictions.
Were going to give this the best shot we can, he said.
Mr Constance said there were about 87 million daily car movements on Sydney roads, compared to 105 million pre-coronavirus.
The government is urging people to either stay home or travel outside of peak times.
Despite the restrictions, transport data site AnyTrip estimated that close to 100 buses across Sydney were so busy on Thursday afternoon that physical distancing could not be observed.
Many of the busiest services were in the south-west, according to AnyTrip.
Meanwhile, the government confirmed on Thursday it had signed two construction contracts worth $600 million to upgrade the T4, T8 and South Coast lines with John Holland and Jacobs.
TfNSW chief operations officer Howard Collins said the upgrades would potentially allow for services every two minutes on the lines in four to five years, but added there would be some disruptions due to the work on the network over that period.
This is almost as exciting as the Metro opening because for me this is about increasing capacity, he said.
Mr Constance said while the upgrades werent sexy, it would improve the network and create 350 jobs. The upgrades are slated to increase services on the T4 line by 20 per cent.
Tom Rabe is Transport Reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.
Nigel Gladstone is an investigative journalist at The Sydney Morning Herald.