Opal - E-ticketing - fares discussion etc.

[pandmaster]

Sydney Morning Herald --> NSW train ticket sellers fall victim to Opal card

The Opal rollout seems to have gone quite smoothly. The government though have seriously messed up the retail side of it: not sold in stations and no machines at this stage. I can understand if they did not want to slow down the lines for tickets with Opal sales in the peak but they could have put more staff on (in fact I recall seeing dedicated Opal sellers in concourse areas when I was last in Sydney), banned sales in peak times, etc... Surely by now they could sell them at windows and keep these people in jobs when unemployment is so high.

I am incredulous that they have not yet released the concession version!

[ozbob]

The Conversation --> Beating the Opal and other acts of everyday arbitrage

[Otto]

Received my Opal card starter pack in the mail today. Very well presented and easy to understand the step by step guides.

If it's not already mentioned here, you can go to http://woolcott.com.au/Opalcard.html to do a survey and $15 will be credited to your Opal balance 2-4 weeks after the Survey closing date.

Mrs Otto will be in Sydney to try Opel out during the 2nd last week of January and I will be down there end of January..

[dwb]

I am incredulous that they have not yet released the concession version!

I wonder if it is so they have time to implement a Queensland like business process before uni is back this year and not have issued "false" cards?

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney train fares could double under regulator review

[Otto]

Just called the Opal Customer service centre.
First trip on Opal ended up showing Central to No tap off Off-peak $8.30 $2.49 -$5.81 so was charged the "off-peak" default fare $5.81 ..
Funny thing is the card had to be touched off to open the gates..

Anyway, after negotiating the phone menu, I talked to a customer service rep and adjusting was very straight forward and simple. Kudo's to the Opal team !

[ozbob]

Good on you Otto.  I have noticed other reports that have also indicated the adjustments can be very rapid!

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Bus drivers say Opal card readers are breaking down daily

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> 'More coffees, more beers': How Sydneysiders are beating Opal card

Bwahhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa   

[pandmaster]

Opal is such a dumb system. They way too many different caps and fares are determined by mode. It is ridiculous that the system penalises you for changing modes. Opal was the right time to fix up the fare structure, unfortunately they continued the failed paradigm. The government seems to be more interested in park and ride than having an integrated network.

[#Metro]

It is concerning that the rorts are deliberately designed into the system and then commuters 'encouraged' to rip each other off. The cost of waste isn't coming from the MPs own pockets, its coming from the people. This is how the political class cream off votes - by introducing waste into the system.

Mind you, if this keeps going the fare prices in Sydney will explode, just like they have in Brisbane.

[950]

To be fair there do seem to be some sensible changes with Opal compared to what they had before - allowing break-of-journey on the one fare without a periodical, off-peak rail fares being available without purchasing a (strictly A -> B -> A) return fare, and not penalising bus-bus transfers come to mind.

But of course their aversion to multi-mode fares is just plain ridiculous compared to Every Other Major City in Australia. (As I recall they justified it with it's not fair that train commuters should subsidise ferries or some such - yet it's perfectly fair to rort the 8-then-free? It's fair that train fares should be capped at the 65km rate even for journeys of hundreds of kilometres?)

[ozbob]

Telegraph --> Bus drivers say Opal machine breakdowns putting commuters' lives at risk

[SurfRail]

What rot.

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Transport for NSW Opal --> Transforming ticketing for tertiary students

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-takes-centre-stage-central

Opal takes centre stage at Central

Three new initiatives have been unveiled to public transport customers including a major new customer service centre, improvements to the Transport website and cheaper Opal fares for job seekers.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance toured and officially opened the new centre at Central Station, which will make travelling easier for the 100,000 people using the Grand Concourse each day.

An 11 metre long digital information board made up of 20 individual screens will display timetables and information about major events. The customer kiosk will be able to provide tourist information, Opal card top-ups and it includes a new mobile device recharge station.

"Customers have told us they want convenience, and this is what the upgrades well and truly deliver", Mr Constance said.

Mr Constance also announced today that eligible NSW job seekers can now apply for a Concession Opal card to help them look for work.

"Access to an Opal card for job seekers means that for first time they can enjoy all of the benefits of Opal including a 50 per cent discount on the cheaper Opal adult fares, free trips after eight paid journeys, plus daily fare caps of $7.50 Monday to Saturday and only $2.50 on Sundays."

Also unveiled today, an upgrade to the transportnsw.info website means customers can now plan a trip to and from regional NSW from their phone or desktop.

"Customers can now for the first time use the website to trip plan anywhere in NSW, as well as interstate to and from Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra. Previously you could only plan a trip in Greater Sydney," Mr Constance said.

The website upgrade now provides access to all NSW TrainLink train and coach services and bus and ferry services in regional centres across NSW.

[ozbob]

Hey Batman, holy hologram!

> Scan your Opal card with Opal Travel

>> http://www.transportnsw.info/sites/en/transport-status/news/2015/opal-travel-app.page

The Opal Travel app lets you plan your trip and provides an accurate estimate of the Opal fare associated with each trip plan.

Using a Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled Android device, you can now scan your Opal card to check your balance, travel rewards and more.

This functionally is available on Android devices only. Apple reserves NFC functionality for Apple Pay only.

Once you scan your Opal card, the following information displays:

    Opal card balance
    Weekly travel rewards
    Last tap details
    Opal card number, status and auto top up status (active or inactive)

[ozbob]

^ installed the app and tested with my opal.  Works fine!!

go card ?  oh .. sorry ... 

[Stillwater]

A one-way paper ticket to Goodna, please.  How much?   

[ozbob]

After I checked my opal I did try with the go card, no result    lol  Didn't bother to retrieve the myki out of the drawer .. 

Goodna?  BUZ the 524!! 

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Opal card top-up machines spread across Sydney

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney bus upheaval prompts Opal card fare review

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Why an Opal card fare overhaul can't come soon enough

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> IPART seeks public feedback ahead of Opal fare overhaul

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Tap and go: Sydney has the Opal, but how long will we need it?

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/time-tap-opal-majority-paper-tickets-be-phased-out

Transport for NSW

Time to tap into Opal - majority of paper tickets to be phased out

The NSW Government has announced the next step in delivering world class 'tap and go' electronic ticketing will arrive next year, with the majority of old-style paper tickets to be phased out on January 1, 2016.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said: "Given the enormous success of Opal, it's time to stop running two ticketing systems.

"Opal is one of the great improvements to our public transport network, and it's the right time we take the next logical step to one convenient system," Mr Constance said.

Since the rollout of Opal began in December 2012 there have been:

3.3 million Opal cards issued
350 million journeys taken on all modes
86 million free trips earned
From January 1, 57 paper ticket products will no longer be sold. Customers should start preparing now to upgrade to Opal, so getting around is simpler and cheaper.

The next stage of Opal means customers will only be able to purchase adult and concession single or return tickets for trains, ferries, light rail plus singles for buses.

Many of the paper tickets that will be phased out have seen large decreases in sales:

Ticket type   Monthly sales (May 2014)    Monthly sales (May 2015)   Percentage decline over 12 months
Pensioner Excursion Ticket   3,281,974   1,803,540   -45%
MyBus TravelTen (Adult & Concession)   349,292   83,120   -76%
MyMulti Weekly         108,835   11,633   -89%
MyFerry TravelTen (Adult & Concession)      16,336   916   -94%
Light Rail Weekly   3,010   829   -72%


"Many customers have moved onto Opal for convenience and cheaper fares.

"Sales of the once popular MyBus Travel Ten have fallen by more than 75 per cent over the last 12 months as people have switched to Opal."

Some paper tickets like the Off Peak Return Tram Link sell only four tickets a week, or the Light Rail Day Pass which sells on average 11 tickets a day.

Customers now have five months to prepare themselves for this transition and sign up to Opal.

The phase out of the Pensioner Excursion Ticket will be a major change for a lot of our pensioners and seniors, but Mr Constance said an intensive campaign is being rolled out to inform the changes.

"We've had 370,000 pensioners and seniors sign up, and there's another 5 months for others to get on board with Gold Opal," Mr Constance said.

"It's the same cheap fares – and you only ever need to buy one permanent ticket and you're always ready for travel.

"There is a lot on offer with Opal and I urge people to not leave their change over to the last minute, but to get in early so they can quickly access the benefits."

Customers can order their Opal card 24 hours a day from opal.com.au or by calling 13 67 25 (13 OPAL) and get the card mailed to their home. Adults or children and youth can also use one of the 2,000 Opal retailers and get a card straight away.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> #Opal takeover: Pensioner Excursion and TravelTen tickets cut from next year

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Opal card rollout: Privacy warning over move to scrap paper tickets for pensioners

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> The mad dash to save $1.26 on your Opal card

[ozbob]

Illawarra Mercury --> Paper tickets topping Opal card in Illawarra

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/fare-dodgers-face-new-hurdles-ticket-gates

Fare dodgers to face new hurdles at ticket gates

NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance today announced the next stage in the rollout of 'jump-proof' ticket barriers at train stations with the installation of six new gates at Bankstown Station.

The Opal-only gates help to reduce fare evasion with higher gate paddles making it much harder for people to jump over them.

"Customers who pay their way expect others to do the same. This is another way to deter the dodgers who are taking everyone else for a ride," Mr Constance said.

The gates also make it much more difficult to tailgate, where two people pass through the gate at once – a common tactic of fare evaders.

The new gates at Bankstown have been switched on following a successful trial at Sydney Olympic Park Station, where the barriers have been tested since February.

The new-style gates process data more quickly so people can tap on and off faster. There are also wider aisles and larger, clearer screens for customers to read their Opal account balance. Safety is also improved with additional sensors meaning the gates are less likely to close while customers are passing through.

"Customers have said overall the gates are more reliable and quicker to use," Mr Constance said.

The gates at Bankstown will now be trialled for a month. The station is the first with a high volume of customers to be fitted with the Opal-only gates and was selected because 2.1 million journeys were taken there last year.

The new barriers will be rolled out and trialled next at Parramatta, followed by Central, Town Hall and Wynyard next year. Older gates removed from these stations will be installed at un-gated stations to help reduce fare evasion further.

"The most recent fare evasion survey showed an overall reduction, saving taxpayers $24 million last year," Mr Constance said.

27 August 2015

[ozbob]

AFR --> Train-loving Turnbull not a Melbourne Myki man, backs Sydney's Opal

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> 200,000 seniors haven't made switch to Opal cards

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Bus commuters stung by Opal fares

[ozbob]

The New Daily -->Public transport systems 'trapping' commuters

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/pick-gold-opal-card-kiosks-major-transport-hubs-shopping-centres

Pick up a Gold Opal Card from kiosks at major transport hubs & shopping centres

For the first time senior and pensioner customers can get a Gold Opal card on the spot at Opal kiosks located at 40 major train stations, bus interchanges, light rail stops and ferry wharves up until January 2016.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said that with the majority of paper tickets for public transport being phased out on 1 January 2016, it is time for customers to make the switch to Opal.

"With more than 2,000 Opal retailers and now 40 Opal kiosks at key locations across the public transport network plus also at major shopping centres, getting an Adult, Child/Youth or Senior/Pensioner Opal card has never been easier," Mr Constance said.

"The Pensioner Excursion Ticket is one of the tickets that will no longer be sold from 1 January and seniors or pensioners can get their Gold Opal card at one of the Opal kiosks.

"To help customers get a card, Transport for NSW has set up information kiosks at transport hubs, so Adults, Children plus Seniors and Pensioners can now pick up an Opal card at sites from Fairfield to Manly and Woy Woy to Wollongong.

"Opal staff will be on hand to explain how the card works and help eligible customers apply for a Gold Opal card and walk away with the Gold card if their eligibility is confirmed."

From today, customers can get the following cards from Opal kiosks at 40 locations across the public transport network:

    Adult Opal card – minimum $20 via credit or debit card

    Child/Youth Opal card – minimum $10 via credit or debit card

    Gold Opal card – a minimum $2.50 via credit or debit card; or customers can choose to place no value on the card until later.

    At the kiosks cash is not accepted, and existing customers can't top up cards.

To apply for a Gold Opal card, seniors and pensioners do not need a credit card at the kiosk, just an eligibility card - NSW Seniors Card, Pensioner Concession card, or DVA NSW War Widow/ers card.

"We've had about 200,000 pensioners and seniors signing up to the Gold Opal card since we announced the phasing out of most paper tickets three months ago," Mr Constance said.

"The Gold Opal card has many benefits including never paying more than $2.50 a day to travel across trains, buses, light rail and ferries."

Mr Constance said customers can always be ready to travel by adding value to their card at one of the 2,000 retailers, many top up machines at stations, over the phone, online or at eight Service NSW centres.

To find out where and when the Opal kiosks will be operating at transport hubs and major shopping centres go to opal.com.au

Kiosks will be operating at various transport locations between now and 11 December and again in the first week of January 2016.

Opal Kiosks will also be in selected major shopping centres from now until 18 December and then from mid to late January 2016.

[verbatim9]

http://www.itnews.com.au/news/opal-card-behind-nsw-public-transport-revenue-decline-411995?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=editors_picks

Opal card behind NSW public transport revenue decline

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Opal card reader breakdowns worst on buses, report finds

[ozbob]

Daily and weekly caps, free after 8  ...   guess they will have to sort it out just like the go card hey ...

Not sustainable ..