Sydney commuters to pay 2.2 per cent more for Opal fares
OPAL fares are set to rise next month under the latest increase to hit Sydney commuters.
NSW
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OPAL fares will rise by 2.2 per cent next month — roughly 39c per passenger each week — under the latest increase to hit Sydney commuters.
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the hike reflected the rate of inflation and went against the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s recommended increase of 4.2 per cent.
He said the government was focused on keeping “downward pressure on the cost of living” and wanted to ensure fares remained affordable for families.
“The reason we’re doing this is we want people to catch public transport, we want it to be affordable,” he said.
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“Taxpayers subsidise public transport already but the contribution that’s made through the farebox also adds to the vital services that are growing across the network week on week.”
Asked whether the adjustment was an election ploy, Mr Constance said: “We’ve done exactly the same as last year”.
“Before that we actually had fare freezes so we’ve had a slight increase with inflation … and this government has clearly demonstrated an ability to keep downward pressure on fares.”
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Ahead of next year’s state election, the Berejiklian government and opposition have been focused on policies that relieve cost of living pressures on families across NSW.
Mr Constance rejected claims the minor increase could lead to significant price hikes to pay for future services.
“We’ve also got enormous growth in the network, the number of people who are using the services. In one 12 month period we had an 11 per cent increase in patronage on Sydney Trains,” he said.
The increase will not affect seniors’ Gold Opal, which will remain capped at $2.50 for all-day travel.
The transfer discount, which allows Opal card holders a $2 discount for every transfer between modes as part of one journey, will also remain for both adult and concession Opal passengers.
The fare rise will see a train trip from Penrith to Town Hall increase from $6.61 to $6.76, while a ferry journey from Manly to Circular Quay will jump from $7.35 to $7.51.