NSW Opal fares are rising for train, bus and ferry: here’s how much extra it will cost you
- Off-peak travel rates extended to all day Friday
- Comes as the annual Opal price hike looms
- One current benefit expires next month
On October 16, an annual price increase for Opal will be postponed by three months.
Commuters will see a price increase of 3.7 percent, compared to a three percent increase 12 months ago and a 1.5 percent increase in 2021.
A one-way peak hour journey from Penrith to the CBD will rise from $7.24 to $7.65, while a 10-minute journey from Chatswood to North Sydney will rise from $3.79 to $4.
For domestic and international travelers who take the train to the airport during the peak period, the fare will increase by more than $1, from $19.53 to $20.68.
According to NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen, commuters will see their weekly fares increase by no more than $1 on average.
But there is good news that is enticing commuters to head to the office on Fridays.
Discounted Opal rates are being extended until Friday to encourage more workers to return to the office. The photo shows commuters at Sydney Central Station
Meanwhile, the 30 per cent fare discount given at weekends on train, bus and light rail services will be extended to also apply on Fridays.
It means commuters can ride public transit all day on Friday for as little as $8.90 or $4.45 for concessionaires.
However, the current Opal benefit, which offers half-price fares on all journeys once a commuter has paid for eight journeys in a week, will be abolished.
The state government argued that almost 90 per cent of commuters are not achieving the number of journeys they should benefit from as Sydneysiders continue to split their working week between home and the office after the pandemic.
An annual Opal price increase for commuters is looming from October 16 (pictured in Sydney).
Transport Minister Jo Haylen (pictured) announced the Opal changes ahead of next Tuesday’s state budget
The changes announced on Friday ahead of next Tuesday’s state budget will come into effect from October 16.
“Every weekend will soon be a long weekend when it comes to Opal fares as we make Friday travel cheaper for everyone,” Ms Haylen said.
The weekly travel limit remains $50 for adults, down from $25, while the daily travel limit of $2.50 for seniors and retirees remains unchanged.
Researcher Matt Hounsell from the University of Technology Sydney said Friday’s discounted rates would be more beneficial to low-income workers
“You will see lower income people change their behavior, but it will be a smaller incentive for everyone else,” he said.
Commuters can travel all day on public transportation, capped at $8.90 on Fridays, including light rail travel