Gladys Berejiklian med rel: Opal rolls out to 100 more buses as some paper tickets retired

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced Opal would be rolled out to almost 100 more buses next week, including the first double decker buses to be activated for electronic ticketing.

The rollout of Opal on 96 buses on the Forest Coach Lines routes in Sydney’s north from June 10 comes as 280,000 Opal cards have now been issued, and more than 2.5 million free trips have been taken with Opal on trains, buses and ferries.

The NSW Government also announced the retirement of some paper tickets from September 1, 2014. Tickets being retired can be purchased up until this date and can continue to be used by customers until they expire.

“We now have nearly 280,000 Opal cards issued and those customers are already saving money with more than 2.5 million free trips taken across 40 ferry wharves, 308 train stations and 30 bus routes,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“I’m pleased we are now continuing the progressive rollout of Opal on buses from next week, and in coming months that will expand for thousands more bus customers across Sydney and the regions.”

The Forest Coach Lines buses to have Opal from next week operate across approximately 30 suburbs in the northern Sydney and city regions, including Terrey Hills, Frenchs Forest, Davidson, Warringah, Pittwater, Chatswood and the CBD.

From September 1, 2014, there will be 14 paper ticket types retired across public transport, meaning customers have three months to obtain an Opal card or they may choose to continue to use paper tickets. There are more than 20 other paper tickets still available.

“Since the start of the Opal rollout 18 months ago we have said that the timing of the retirement of paper tickets would be dependent on how many customers are using the system, and so far we are very happy with the popularity of Opal,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Ms Berejiklian said retiring old paper tickets will allow the NSW Government to continue to modernise the transport network. Because of the long lead time required to retire some tickets such as the MyTrain yearly and MyMulti yearly, the first tranche of old paper tickets will be retired from September 1, 2014.

To maintain consistency and simplicity for customers, the retirement of periodical tickets will also include all quarterly and monthly tickets. These paper tickets can still be purchased up until September 1, 2014 and can still be used until they expire.

Sydney Ferries was the first mode of transport to have Opal in 2012 and the MyFerry adult TravelTen will also be retired from September 1, 2014.

In coming months Opal cards will also become available at retail stores across Sydney and at pop-up kiosks on train stations, for those customers not wanting to obtain their cards online or by phone.

Ms Berejiklian said the Opal card offers cheaper fares, with around 90 per cent of customers the same or better off financially under Opal.

Customers using Opal can also earn free trips for regular travel, never have to fumble for coins or queue up for a ticket again, and only pay for fares when they travel.

“This is unlike a monthly, quarterly or annual ticket when customers pay hundreds or thousands of dollars up front for travel they may not take, for example when on annual leave, or if sick.

“Few people can afford to pay the large upfront payments for these longer MyMulti and train periodical tickets, and that is why they represent about four per cent of all tickets sold.
“Retiring some tickets will make it easier and faster for customers to use public transport as we continue to focus on the rollout on more than 5,000 buses before the end of this year.

“This is an exciting time for public transport and we will keep the good work of the electronic ticketing system rollout going forward.”