Lane Cove Public Transport Users Get Ready for an Opal Fare Increase from 5th July 2021

As of Monday 5 July 2021, Opal fares will increase 1.5% in line with inflation expectations.

This increase may be a shock to some public transport users, as the NSW government has been looking at ways to incentivise workers back into the Sydney Central Business District.  In late April the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the State Government was looking at free public transport to the CBD – link to article here.

With an Adult Opal card, you can travel as much as you want on the metro, train, bus, ferry and light rail services within the Opal network and you never pay more than $16.10 a day, $50 a week or $8.05 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.   This weekly travel cap is to remain in place.

You will pay an Adult fare when you tap on and tap off with contactless payments. Use the same credit card, debit card or linked device for all your travel all week to receive the same travel benefits of an Adult Opal card. Find out more about paying the right fare.

The $25 concession weekly travel cap will remain in place, while the Senior/Pensioner Gold Opal day cap won’t change and will remain at $2.50 for all day travel, any day of the week.

The $2 transfer discount ($1 for concession) will remain when transferring from one form of public transport to another within one hour.

There is also no change to the fares for bus and light rail journeys up to 3km.

There is also a discount for travelling outside weekday peak hours.

For more information see fares and payments.

Example fares from 5 July 2021

Journey Mode Peak Off Peak
Penrith to Circular Quay Train Current price: $6.89
From 5 July: $6.99
Current price: $4.82
From 5 July: $4.89
Bondi to North Sydney Bus/train Current price: $4.81
From 5 July: $4.86
Current price: $2.76
From 5 July: $2.80
Wollongong to Central Train Current price: $8.86
From 5 July: $8.99
Current price: $6.20
From 5 July: $6.29
Rouse Hill to Chatswood Metro Current price: $5.15
From 5 July: $5.23
Current price: $3.60
From 5 July: $3.66
Lidcombe to Padstow Bus Current price: $4.80
From 5 July: $4.87
Current price: $3.36
From 5 July: $3.40
Wynyard to Randwick Light rail Current price: $3.73
From 5 July: $3.79
Current price: $2.61
From 5 July: $2.65
Central to Star City Casino Light rail Current price: $3.20
From 5 July: $3.20
Current price: $2.24
From 5 July: $2.24
Rydalmere Wharf to Circular Quay Ferry Current price: $7.65
From 5 July: $7.76
Current price: $7.65
From 5 July: $7.76

 

How Are Fare Increases Determined?

Under the Passenger Transport Act 2014, the Minister of Transport and Roads can ask IPART to determine or recommend maximum fares for public transport services.

IPART set out the following on their website:

  • Maximum Opal fares that can be charged for all rail, bus, ferry and light rail fares used in Sydney and surrounds that apply between July 2020 and June 2024. In our most recent 2020 Opal fares review, we determined that fares for a single trip could increase by an average of 5% per year between July 2020 and June 2024.
  • Maximum fares for rural and regional buses between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2025.
  • Maximum fares for 7 private ferry services operating in the Sydney, Central Coast, and North Coast areas of NSW between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021. We are currently reviewing the maximum fares that will apply to these services from 1 January 2022.

The NSW Government sets other terms and conditions of travel, such as discounts for off-peak travel, frequent travel, and concession users.

Are You Looking to Buy or Sell in Lane Cove?

In The Cove is now producing a weekly Lane Cove Property Update. See our latest update here. 

If you are selling, ask your agent if they are an ITC Lane Cove Property Guide supporter.

In the Cove is on Instagram

If you would like to follow ITC’s travels throughout Lane Cove and see some beautiful pictures of where we live, follow ITC on Instagram here.

In the Cove Weekly News Blast

Have you ever heard people talking about a hot Lane Cove issue and wondered how they knew about it?  More than likely, they get our newsletter every Wednesday Night at 7.30 pm, and it has all the info that was on any of our social media platforms and more – so sign up now and never have FOMO (fear of missing out). SIGN UP HERE

Cover Photo Source: TranportNSW.info