Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is to launch an initiative which will see opal digital customers given credit on their account when they transfer to public transport from Ubers and other rideshare services.
Minister for Transport and Roads, Andrew Constance said participants in the Opal digital card trial would be the first people in the world to use the new technology it needs to succeed.
“From the middle of this year up to 10,000 Opal digital card users will be able to pay for an Uber, a fixed fare Ingogo taxi trip or a Lime bike journey using their Opal card,” Mr Constance said.
“If they then catch public transport within 60 minutes, they will receive a credit to their Opal account of up to $3,” he said.
Mr Constance said that if the trial was successful, TfNSW would look into rolling the initiative across the network and would invite other rideshare providers to get on board.
The Minister said TfNSW had partnered with Mastercard, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and EML Payments Limited to deliver the 12-month Opal digital card trial.
General Manager of Uber Australia, Dom Taylor said that as part of the trial My Fast Ferry customers would save 10 per cent on their ferry fare during peak times and 25 per cent when they travelled off peak.
“This is a fantastic example of how government and industry can work together to deliver better ways to move people from A to B,” Mr Taylor said.
