Fare-free hours extended on Sydney public transport

Fare-free train travel is available across Sydney and regional routes from today - and for longer than first planned.

Trains and metro services will be fee-free into the early hours of Saturday in Sydney, after months of disruption and industrial action.

Originally planned for Thursday and Friday, the period has been extended with Opal gates at train and metro stations now remaining open or turned off from 12.01am Thursday 31 July until 6am on Saturday 2 August.

The fare-free travel period is an acknowledgment of the disruption that occurred before the Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink Enterprise Agreement was agreed with the rail workforce earlier this month.

Transport Minister John Graham said the announcement came as an admission the disruptions were unacceptable but also an invitation “to support those businesses who had some lean days”.

The fare-free period is from Thursday until 6am Saturday. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

The fare free period is predicted to amount to at least $6.4m in lost revenue for Transport NSW, with 2.2 million people forecast to make use of the free window.

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison added the fare-free days included regional routes to locations like Melbourne and Brisbane.

“We encourage our regional passengers to use the rail network over these two days to explore regional NSW.

“You will need to book in advance, but this is a fantastic opportunity to get out and explore this state and beyond.”

Fare-free travel does not extend to buses, ferries or light rail. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Not everyone is pleased with the move however, regular commuter Joe said it comes “too little too late”.

“(The disruptions) earlier this year really messed me around so much, Sydney trains are slow and smelly at the best of times but paying what we do and receiving that kind of treatment just isn’t on.

“The fare-free period is a nice gesture but as commuters what we want isn’t gestures, it’s better transport.”

The free travel will not extend to buses, ferries or light rail which will charge fares as normal however Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said it was a good opportunity to support business around train stations affected by the disruptions.

Transport Minister John Graham said the government was working “overtime” to restore public faith in the service. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“Fare-free travel on Thursday and Friday is a terrific initiative that sends a strong signal of confidence in Sydney and Parramatta’s CBDs. It’s not just a win for commuters — it’s a much-needed boost for food, hospitality and retail businesses that have faced enormous pressure over recent months.”

“Encouraging people to return to the office and explore the city at no cost helps revitalise our commercial centres and reconnects workers with the vibrant, dynamic experiences our CBDs are known for.”

“This thoughtful initiative is expected to benefit more than a million passengers, but its impact will ripple far beyond the trains and buses — it will support jobs, stimulate spending, and re-energise the heart of our economy.”

Originally published as Fare-free hours extended on Sydney public transport