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Opal network.

The secret warnings of Sydney commuters being forced back onto Opal cards

A highly confidential business case reveals why a complex and costly upgrade of the ticketing system for public transport is urgently needed.

  • Matt O'Sullivan

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Gasoline Pony in Marrickville.

Saturday night fever: Sydney’s changing party habits revealed

The Opal and credit card data is in: Saturday night is back, baby. And so are weekend trips to the gym after dark. 

  • Alexandra Smith
Opal cards

The staggering amount of money sitting on commuters’ unused Opal cards

Despite a cost-of-living crisis, a huge amount is sitting idle on nearly 18 million Opal cards that have not been used in more than a year.

  • Matt O'Sullivan

Sydney’s metro is world-class. Shame the Opal card isn’t

Why is it that we can enjoy a world-class metro transport system, but still need a physical card to use it? A digital Opal card is beyond overdue. 

  • Daniel Lo Surdo
The ageing Opal ticketing system is “reaching end of life”.

How much your Opal fares will rise on Monday

Fear not – the weekly cap will stay in place, as will discounted Friday travel.

  • Matt O'Sullivan
Philip Gargett’s Opal card is among the oldest still in use on the network.

The decade-old Opal cards that are still tapping on

Last month, the Sun-Herald reported 86 cards from the original Opal launch were still in use today. Dozens of readers wanted to know if theirs was one of them.

  • Mary Ward
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Opal fares will rise by 3 per cent on average this year.

Opal fares to be cheaper on Fridays but half-price trips after eight cut

Ticket prices will rise on average by 3.7 per cent as part of annual changes for NSW’s public transport system.

  • Matt O'Sullivan
In July last year fares increased by an average of 3 per cent, while in 2021 they were pegged to the rate of inflation at the time, resulting in a 1.5 per cent rise.

Commuters get reprieve from Opal fare rises as changes considered

The NSW government has delayed a decision on an annual hike in public transport fares as it considers changes to the Opal ticketing system.

  • Matt O'Sullivan
Opal reader machines.

Sydney rail workers to switch off Opal readers from Thursday

The deactivation of Opal machines from 3pm to 7pm on weekdays puts unions on course for another major confrontation with the state government.

  • Matt O'Sullivan and Tom Rabe
Transport Minister David Elliott.

Elliott threatens to sack staff who illegally shut down Opal readers

The state government has received legal advice suggesting the new industrial action to completely shut down Opal readers at train stations is illegal.

  • Matt O'Sullivan and Tom Rabe

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/opal-cards-jha