Overview
Sydneysiders are set to fork out a bit extra for their public transport travels, with the NSW Government announcing it's upping the price of Opal fares by 2.2 percent, from Monday, July 2.
And it could have been even worse news for your wallet — Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance revealed fares have only been adjusted in line with inflation, rather than given the 4.2 percent annual increase recommended by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
Mr Constance said the focus was on helping to squash the cost of living and putting commuters first. "Since the introduction of OPAL in 2012, this Government has kept the fares low with a five year fare freeze and then induction of an adjustment to fares by CPI only last year, and again this coming financial year," he explained.
The fare increases impacts trains, buses, ferries and light rail. On average, the increase will see passengers shelling out around 39 cents extra a week, with a Penrith–Town Hall train ticket increasing by 15 cents from $6.61 to $6.76.
Caps on adult weekday and Saturdays tickets will both rise to $15.80, from the current $15.40, and the adult weekly cap will rise $1.60, from $61.60 to $63.20. The Sunday cap will only increase by 10 cents to $2.70.
Gold Opal fares have been spared the price hike, remaining at $2.50 for all day travel any day of the week.