Seniors, commuters to save on Opal’s new cap on transport of $50
From Monday, public transport fares will rise slightly but the State Government’s new $50 Opal cap will come into effect. Find out how much you will save on your travel each year.
Central Sydney
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From Monday commuters on some of Sydney’s most gruelling public transport routes will start saving hundreds of dollars per year in fares.
The State Government’s new Opal cap, effective from June 24, will mean no commuter spends more than $50 on public transport per week if they only pay using their Opal card.
It is estimated the new cap will save commuters on some routes up to $686 per year.
About 55,000 daily users on NSW’s trains, buses, ferries and metro services and light rail are set to benefit from the slashed cap, set about 20 per cent lower than the current mark.
Someone travelling from Tallawong station on the Northwest Metro to Central will save $10.84 per week, or a whopping $563 per year, as will those making return trips from Seven Hills, Penrith and Campbelltown to the CBD.
There would be an even larger saving for a commuter catching the train from Kiama to Sutherland, or a ferry from Meadowbank to Barangaroo, with those travellers set to keep an extra $686 in their pockets after 12 months.
While full fare adults will pay $50 per week, the concession cap is also set to be reduced from $31.60 to $25 per week.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Friday said the new cap was part of the government’s cost of living measures.
“We want to make public transport more affordable and that is why we are lowering the cap,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Current Opal benefits including the $2.50 daily cap for gold card holders, the Weekly Travel Reward and the Opal Transfer Discount will remain in place.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said from Monday the cost of public transport would rise by 1.9 per cent — about the rate of inflation — or 10 cents.
He said the government had rejected a recommendation from IPART to raise prices by 4.2 per cent.
“This means catching the train, bus, ferry, metro or light rail is still a much cheaper option than driving,” Mr Constance said.
HOW MUCH YOU WILL SAVE
- Tallawong to Central (Metro)
- Old cap: $60.84
- Save: $563 per year
- Penrith to Town Hall
- Old cap: $60.84
- Save: $563 per year
- Campbelltown to Town Hall
- Old cap: $60.84
- Save: $563 per year
- Engadine to North Sydney
- Old cap: $60.84
- Save: $563 per year
- Seven Hills to Wynyard
- Old cap: $60.84
- Save: $563 per year
- Panania to Chatswood
- Old cap: $60.84
- Save: $563 per year
- Tuggerah to Central
- Old cap: $63.20
- Save: $686 per year
- Kiama to Sutherland
- Old cap: $63.20
- Save: $686 per year
- Meadowbank to Barangaroo (Ferry)
- Old cap: $63.20
- Save: $686 per year
- Manly to Circular Quay (Ferry)
- Old cap: $63.20
- Save: $686 per year
- Leppington to Blacktown
- Old cap: $60.84
- Save: $563 per year