It is midday on the Inner West and South Line and three pigeons have just boarded the train. Not accidentally trapped on board by closing doors but three travelling purposefully together. It seems the pigeons just fancied a Sunday excursion.

Three stops later, having evidently reached their destination at Central, they hop down the steps and they’re gone in a flap. No time for tapping on or tapping off.

Mind the gap: a trio of pigeons hitching a ride on the train from Newtown to Central station. Credit:Grant Turner

Photographer Grant Turner, who put the picture on his Newtown PIX photo blog, said the birds did not appear lost or stressed.

‘‘As we approached Central I picked up my bag and they hopped down the stairs and stood waiting patiently to get off like everyone else,’’ he said.