The cost of catching public transport is set to increase from Monday (4 July) with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) announcing an average three per cent rise in Opal fares which are used in some major cities and towns.
Chief Operations Officer at TfNSW, Howard Collins said the fare increase was less than the 4.4 per cent increase in the Sydney consumer price index.
Mr Collins said it was also less than the annual increase of five per cent allowed by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) in its February 2020 Maximum Opal Fares 2020—2024 Report.
Following the release of its Report and the onset of the pandemic, IPART recommended the State take COVID-19 circumstances into account when considering what fares to set.
“IPART proposed the increases be offset by introducing off-peak fares on bus and light rail to assist with dealing with crowding at peak times,” the TfNSW said.
“This is especially important now.”
Echoing the sentiment, Mr Collins said it was important that Opal fares across Sydney remained affordable
“Opal fare adjustments for the next 12 months have been kept to a minimum and for the vast majority of our customers these fare changes will mean an increase of less than $1 a week,” Mr Collins said.
“Any impact on heavy public transport users and pensioners will be further alleviated by the Opal weekly cap and the Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal daily cap, which will be maintained at current prices.”
He said the $50 weekly cap for adults, the $25 weekly cap for youth and concession holders, and the $2.50 daily cap for Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal customers would remain unaffected.
Mr Collins said the $2 transfer discount ($1 for concession) for customers who transferred from one form of public transport to another within one hour would also remain the same, along with fares for bus and light rail journeys up to three kilometres.
Further information on Opal fares can be accessed at this PS News link.
