Sydney Opal fares to be halved in off-peak travel
Sydney commuters will have Opal fares slashed by up to 50 per cent on bus, train, metro and light rail travel from today but it isn't good news for all. Some will benefit more than others. SEE HOW YOU CAN SAVE.
NSW
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Commuter fares will be slashed by up to 50 per cent on buses, trains, light rail and metro services from today in response to the COVID-19 crisis, but there is a catch — you have to travel in off-peak hours - and not everyone will benefit.
Opal card holders can take advantage of savings of up to 50 per cent if they travel outside of the peak travel times of:
· 6:30am–10am on Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro, light rail and bus (currently 7am-9am)
· 6am-10am on Intercity Trains (currently 6am-8am)
· 3pm-7pm on Sydney Trains, Intercity Trains, Sydney Metro, light rail and bus (currently 4pm-6:30pm)
The off-peak incentive will apply from July 6 for the next three months in a bid to ease congestion on public transport, saving a third of commuters up to $3.60 a week, according to NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance.
“We need commuters to get away from the shoulders of the peak and that time of the day so we don’t see heavy patronage putting people at risk,” Mr Constance said.
A new $8.05 all day travel cap will also be rolled out on Saturday and Sunday.
A permanent discount of 30 per cent will apply for off-peak bus and light rail travel once the temporary cost-cutting measure ends.
But not everyone will benefit from the changes - with commuters travelling short distances penalised with fares increasing for bus and light rail peak journeys up to three kilometres.
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The change announced by the State Government comes after a recommendation from a lengthy Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal report.
Shadow transport minister Chris Minns told The Daily Telegraph some people did not have the flexibility to work when they liked.
“For many people, how are they going to convince their boss that they can start work a couple of hours late?,” Mr Minns said.
Late last month, the government expanded eligibility for concessions travel, enabling those with a disability, widows and dependent children who lost a parent to benefit from price changes.
The new eligibility requirements mean those with concessions can benefit from unlimited travel on the Opal network capped at $2.50 a day.
Sydney Trains chief executive officer Howard Collins said pressure on the network was growing, with more than 900,000 trips being taken daily.
“The advice is don’t travel if you’ve got a cold. Go and get tested. If you don’t have to come into work and you can work flexibly from home, please continue to do so.”
Existing Opal benefits remain the same, including:
- The $2 transfer discount,
- The daily cap of $16.10 ($8 concession),
- $50 weekly travel caps ($25 concession),
- Half price trips after eight journeys in a week,
- $2.50 unlimited travel for Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card holders.