Transport for NSW contract reveal Taylor Swift Sydney concerts cost $168k in extra buses for mega crowds

Superstar Taylor Swift’s Sydney concerts have left the NSW Government with a big transportation bill after a private company was recruited to bus Swifties to and from the major events.

Superstar Taylor Swift’s Sydney concerts have left the NSW Government with a big transportation bill with new figures revealing more than $160,000 was spent for a private company to bus Swifties to and from the major events.

Tender documents published by the NSW Government have shown Transport for NSW paid $168,695 to transport company U-Go Mobility to provide additional buses to cater for the hoards of eager concertgoers who flocked to Accor Stadium for Swift’s four Sydney concerts earlier this year.

The contract involved U-Go providing transportation for ticket holders during the four February concerts as well one concert that was held in the same month by fellow US singer Pink.

TfNSW, in a statement, defended the cost of the contract saying the payment facilitated about 96,000 trips for concertgoers to and from the venue.

“Transport contracted U-Go Mobility for $168,695 to provide some of the buses for the five events,” a spokeswoman said.

The concerts attracted bumper crowds.

“The cost breaks down to approximately $1.70 per person, and Transport recouped partial funding from event organisers via the Integrated Ticketing agreement.

“In many cases, the Integrated Ticketing agreement means concertgoers have the cost of public transport included in their ticket. “

Swift’s Sydney shows were all sold out events with more than 75,000 attendees packing Accor Stadium for each of the singer’s shows.

Private bus company U-Go was awarded the bus contract.

About 1200 extra trains and buses had been put on by TfNSW to cope with the crowds.

Central Station was also given a Taylor-made takeover with Swift songs played to fans over loudspeakers as they waited to board the “Tay Tay Express” train services to Olympic Park.

Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said the economic benefits from the concerts flowed-on to the retail and hospitality sectors including hotels and restaurants.

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said moving large volumes of people via public transport can reduce parking demand and traffic congestion around major venues.