Almost a million public transport passengers are getting a much more convenient way to claim their concession, pensioner or seniors fares - and their lower weekly cap - under a digital upgrade to the Opal network.
Concession Opal or Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal fares can currently only be accessed by tapping on with a physical Opal concession card.
In many cases, those eligible to claim a concession fare are instead using contactless payments for the convenience and forgoing the discount.
Under changes announced today by the Minns Labor Government, 40,000 TAFE students and apprentices, 130,000 university students and jobseekers and 800,000 seniors and pensioners, will soon be able link a credit or debit card to their travel concession to enjoy discounted fares using their phone, watch or digital device.
Modelling by Transport for NSW, predicts 70 per cent of TAFE and university students, apprentices and jobseekers will use contactless concessions and between 30-40 per cent of seniors and pensioners.
The upgrades will be rolled out gradually from 16 April.
Amid higher petrol prices and other cost-of-living pressures, there has been a recent spike in public transport patronage, and this upgrade will make it easier for seniors, pensioners and concessions to access the reduced fares they are entitled to claim.
Adult fares are capped at $50 weekly, Concessions and Child/Youth at $25, and a $2.50 daily cap is in place for Senior/Pensioner travellers - meaning once you hit those caps, your trips are free.
On Fridays, weekends, public holidays and outside peak times, fares are 30 per cent cheaper on metro, train, bus and light rail services.
Table of Opal fares for Adult and Concession holders:
| Daily Fare Cap | Weekly Fare Cap | ||
| Card Type | Mon-Thu | Fri-Sun & Public holidays | |
| Children 3 and under | Free | Free | Free |
| Child/Youth | $9.65 | $4.80 | $25.00 |
| Concession | $9.65 | $4.80 | $25.00 |
| Adult | $19.30 | $9.65 | $50.00 |
| Senior | $2.50 | $2.50 | $17.50 |
The upgrades are part of the NSW Government's major public transport ticketing overhaul - Opal Next Gen.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"As cost-of-living pressures bite hard, and more people are using the public transport system, this is a timely tech innovation that will make getting through the ticket gates or past the Opal reader that much more convenient for close to a million people and help them save on fares.
"Our modelling suggests the majority of apprentices, university and TAFE students and jobseekers will switch to contactless concessions which shows the appetite out there for digital payments.
"The daily and weekly fare caps are a very real saving for passengers on our network. Adults don't pay more than $50 a week, concession fares are capped at $25, and seniors don't pay more than $2.50 a day - or $17.50 a week if they travel seven days a week."
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:
"This is a practical change that will make a real difference to thousands of TAFE and university students and apprentices across NSW. When you're studying, training or starting out in your career every dollar counts and this upgrade makes it easier to access the concessions people are entitled to.
"Our government is focused on making life easier and more affordable for people gaining skills and training for the jobs of the future. This is a smart and modern reform that puts convenience and cost savings directly into the hands of students and apprentices."
Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said:
"This is an exciting upgrade that means Sydney will soon surpass other world cities like London, Paris and New York as leading the way in advanced contactless payment options for more passenger groups.
"It means 970,000 more passengers, including tertiary and TAFE students, trainees and apprentices, seniors, and pensioners will soon have the choice to tap into the ease of Contactless Concessions and ditch their physical Opal card, without losing their discount.
"We know plenty of our passengers still love their physical Opal card - and it's not going anywhere. This is about giving people more options, so they can choose public transport more often."
