Sydney Metro northwest commuters won’t be hit with private fare prices on trips

COMMUTERS using the Sydney Metro northwest will pay the same fares as the rest of the Sydney Trains network, according to the NSW Government.

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COMMUTERS using the Sydney Metro northwest will pay the same fares as the rest of the Sydney Trains network, according to the NSW Government.

Transport for NSW revealed prices for customers using the Metro will be in line with current Sydney Train fares pricing — after concerns from Hills residents they would be charged similar surcharges to the Sydney Airport line.

Artist's impression of the Sydney Metro Northwest Kellyville Station. Picture: Transport for NSW

“Sydney Metro will be part of the Opal network and fares will be set by the NSW Government, just like the rest of Sydney,” a Transport for NSW spokesman told the Times.

“There will be no surcharge to use Sydney Metro.”

OPAL FARE ESTIMATES

Cherrybrook Station to Macquarie Park — $3.54 ($2.47 off-peak)

Rouse Hill Station to Central Station — $6.76 ($4.73 off-peak)

Kellyville Station to Epping Station — $4.40 ($3.08 off-peak)

Castle Hill Showground Station to Central Station — $5.05 ($3.53 off-peak)

Tallawong Station to Norwest Station — $3.54 ($2.47 off-peak)

Aerial view of the Cable Stay Bridge for the Sydney Metro Northwest at Windsor Rd. Picture: Transport for NSW

Sydney Metro northwest services are expected to commence in the second quarter of this year, as Hills residents are given a sneak-peek of the soon-to-be-completed stations.

The release of information around fare prices comes after Baulkham Hills state Labor candidate Ryan Tracey called for the amounts to be released before the NSW Election.

SYDNEY METRO COMMUTER PARKING

Mr Tracey said the Metro was a Builder Owner Operator Transfer Scheme — meaning the network would be privately operated — like the Sydney Airport line.

“The one way cost of train travel from the city to the airport is exorbitant, which is why people avoid paying such an outrageous cost,” Mr Tracey said.

Trains on the Airport line suffer from regular delays like the one on October 8, while customers are hit with a surcharge to access terminals. Picture: John Grainger

“I want to ensure people living in the Hills are not forced to pay more than others do on the Sydney trains network.”

Mr Tracey said Hills residents were also concerned the new network would result in a reduction of bus services, “to force people onto the northwest metro”.

“They want to retain the bus services we have,” he said.

Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliott said Labor promised the Northwest Rail line 34 years ago.

“Having the Labor candidate complain about the train fare is like being asked to the Last Supper and ordering chips,” he said.