Opal - E-ticketing - fares discussion etc.

[ozbob]

Sydney - Opal train trips by month from July 2016 by train line and card type

--> https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/performance-and-analytics/passenger-travel/train-patronage

[ exactly the sort of thing that should be available for SEQ hey? ]

[Cazza]

https://transportnsw.info/news/2017/b-line-program-to-deliver-opal-activated-commuter-car-park-trial#homepage

This was a hot topic in the past couple of months.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/smh/status/934864692408971264

[verbatim9]

Opal pay now accepted on Manly Fast Ferries (Cats)

https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal/opalpay

[ozbob]

The Telegraph --> Opal card loophole costing taxpayers more than $4.2m

TAXPAYERS are millions of dollars out of pocket as freeloading travellers exploit an Opal loophole, tapping off with a negative balance then ditching their cards — saving up to $15 a trip.

And despite the government being previously warned about the problem, the rort has only worsened with the number of Opal cards with negative balances ballooning from 363,000 during the 2015-16 ­financial year to 776,771.

Opal cards can go into a negative balance if they are not linked to an account and so far losses have reached at least $4.2 million.

Users can rip off the system by catching a $15.24 free ride from Parramatta to the Domestic Airport during peak hour, as the fare is $18.62, but only a minimum of $3.38 is needed to tap on.

And revenue losses generally, caused by an estimated 9.7 million train fare evaders and 9.4 million bus fare evaders came to $81 million.

The alarming figures were revealed by NSW Auditor-General Margaret Crawford in the Transport 2017 report released yesterday. She said an estimated 22 million trips were being taken by fare-dodging bus and train travellers.

Unless Transport NSW implemented "measures to prevent loss of revenue from passengers tapping off with negative balance Opal cards", lost revenue would "continue to grow over time", Ms Crawford warned.

"Revenues from unregistered Opal cards with negative balances cannot be recovered unless the passenger tops up the card," Ms Crawford said.

While the state government last year closed the loophole allowing commuters free trips after eight journeys a week, acting opposition transport spokesman Michael Daley said Transport Minister Andrew Constance needed to act immediately on fraudsters exploiting the system.

A NSW Transport spokeswoman said it was aware of customers exiting public transport with a negative balance on their cards and "we are continually working on solutions to reduce revenue loss".

Since the introduction of the Opal system, fare evasion had dropped from 11 per cent to 6.2 per cent, she said.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Opal creep: average fares rise 10 per cent since ticketing overhaul

The average Opal fare that passengers pay for using NSW's public transport has risen by 10 per cent since an overhaul of ticketing just over a year ago, delivering revenue of about $30 million a week to the state government, internal figures show.

While a regulated fare rise in July was kept to inflation, the figures obtained by the Herald under freedom of information laws show commuters have actually paid more for their travel since the changes to the fare structure in September 2016.

The average Opal fare has risen by 10 per cent to $2.37, from $2.16 in the five weeks before passengers' entitlement to free travel after eight paid journeys in a week was replaced with half-price fares. The increase in the average fare includes the 2.4 per cent rise imposed by the government on July 3.

In the three weeks to November 19 – the most recent period for which figures were released – the government collected an average of almost $30 million a week, a 16 per cent rise on the weeks immediately before the fare structure overhaul.

The details about the rise in the cost of travel comes as Sydney commuters experienced a chaotic week on the city's rail network. Despite the major disruptions, the government has rejected calls for passengers to receive fare refunds.

A recent report by the NSW Auditor-General also shows that the revenue collected over any week from Opal fares has altered considerably since the changes.

While average Opal revenue on Mondays to Thursdays rose by up to 25 per cent in the year to June, revenue surged by 62 per cent on Fridays, 78 per cent on Saturdays and 108 per cent on Sundays, according to Transport for NSW data.

That change is likely to reflect both commuters gaining half-price fares after eight paid trips in a week – instead of free trips previously – and an increase in public transport patronage.

The data showed the total value of half-price or free travel by passengers using Opal cards fell by $22 million to $300 million in the 12 months to June.

Labor leader Luke Foley said the latest figures confirmed that average fares had increased by more than five times the rate of inflation.
Opal card holders get a $2 rebate when they switch transport modes.

"Whether it is electricity bills, tolls or transport, the cost of living under the Berejiklian government continues to rise, meanwhile wage growth is at anaemic levels," he said.

But Transport for NSW said the Opal card continued to be a "convenient and affordable way" for people to travel on public transport.

The agency cited a PricewaterhouseCoopers analysis that found the average Opal fare of $2.37 at present was "still significantly less" than the average public transport fare in 2012 of $3.41.

"The 2016 changes and an increase in patronage contributed to a small increase in weekly revenue and also a small increase in the average fare," it said.

"The changes were also designed to disrupt the various versions of Opal running, a form of fare rorting, taking place at light rail stations and between some train stations."

One major element of the changes in late 2016 was a reduction of the fare penalty faced by commuters who use multiple modes of transport – for instance, changing from a bus to a train.

That reform had long been recommended by transport experts, and means commuters gain a $2 "transfer discount" against the cost of paying twice when they switch transport modes.

The rebate is $1 for holders of Opal cards for seniors, pensioners, children and other people eligible for concessions.

The state's Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has estimated that only a quarter of the cost of public transport is covered by passengers.

Transport for NSW told the Auditor-General that the fare structure change did not appear to have impacted overall public transport usage.

[ozbob]

More private ferries tap on to Opal

Ferry customers now have even more choice, with three major private ferry routes tapping on to the OpalPay system.

Services run by Sealink and Captain Cook Cruises running from Manly, Watsons Bay and Lane Cove will use OpalPay from January 30, after the successful rollout of the new system on the Manly Fast Ferry.

"Since launching OpalPay in December, it has smashed expectations, with customers completing 100,000 transactions," Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said.

"We know how popular tap and go payments are and this rollout is about continuing to spread the convenience of Opal to a wider range of transport services, making journeys even easier for our customers."

Customers will be able to use OpalPay on the following SeaLink/Captain Cook Cruises routes:

    Manly – Darling Harbour, King St Wharf No. 2
    Circular Quay – Lane Cove
    Circular Quay – Watsons Bay

Customers on these routes will have the option to purchase the private operator's fare using the available balance on their Opal card by simply tapping to pay at the SeaLink / Captain Cook Cruises point-of-sale device on board the vessel. Customers don't tap on at an Opal reader and they don't need to tap off.

"With the introduction of OpalPay, customers will no longer purchase an individual private ferry ticket, you can just tap your Opal card, giving customers greater flexibility with more public transport options and the convenience of one travel card to pay for more of their journeys," Mr Constance said.

Cook Cruises Australia, part of the SeaLink Travel Group has provided ferry and cruising services across Sydney Harbour for four decades, with 22 vessels transporting more than 720,000 passengers across its service routes last year.

Unlike journeys made with an Opal card on regular public transport services, OpalPay trips do not contribute to Opal travel benefits or discounts. OpalPay trips are not included in benefit schemes offered by private transport operators.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/972992654144364545

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/972992654144364545

Great initiative

[Aircooled]

How will inspectors know you've paid for your ticket? Will their readers be able to check your credit/debit card? Or will all stations need paygates to make it foolproof.

[verbatim9]

How will inspectors know you've paid for your ticket? Will their readers be able to check your credit/debit card? Or will all stations need paygates to make it foolproof.

The system registers an authorisation at touch on. So when the inspector checks with a reader they will receive a notification as touched on. (They will not see the credit card numbers as they will be encrypted.)  When the traveller touches off, the appropriate fare is then charged back onto the card.

I guess with transfers it will recognise your credit and debit card from the previous touch off. At a new touch on it will take an authorisation again but when touched off it will charge nothing against that card. Unless you have travelled further into another zone then the appropriate extra fare will be charged.

It's good for casual users as no loyalty scheme appropriate when paying with this method. But travellers using this method will be charged the appropriate Opal discounted fare when compared to paper tickets. When it arrives in Qld the discounted Go card fare will be charged so a bit of a discounted fare compared to paper tickets. The assumption is that it's designed for casual users. Full time users better off with an Opal to receive 50% off after 8 trips and daily caps.

[Aircooled]

Interesting thanks.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsSydney/status/973076484817534976

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/7NewsSydney/status/973076484817534976

Oh! the journalist reports no Opal discount. So that means Credit and Debit cards are charged at paper ticket prices. Disappointing! Better to charge the Opal fare to encourage take up of this new method of payment. Cash fares more expensive to administer. As cash needs to be collected, counted then banked. Plus the issuing of paper etc...and delays and wasted time by bus driverrs, issuing paper tickets. Prefer an incentive discount when touching on and off with a credit or debit card. I hope Translink offers the 20% go card discount when its operational up here as an incentive instead of purchasing paper tickets.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/UrbanFerryist/status/973089293383081985

[ozbob]

https://transportnsw.info/news/2018/north-shore-north-west-buses-moving-to-opal-only-services

North Shore and North West buses moving to Opal only services

From Monday 16 April a trial of Opal card only services will begin for bus routes around the North Shore and North West areas, which operate out of the State Transit Ryde Depot.

This means that Opal single bus tickets will no longer be sold on board. If you usually buy your ticket from the driver, you'll need to get an Opal card so you're ready to travel.

The North Shore and North West region has been chosen as it has the lowest number of cash ticket sales. Opal single bus tickets account for less than one per cent of all the customers on State Transit buses.

Tapping on with an Opal card is typically at least 20 per cent cheaper than buying an Opal single bus ticket in cash. Changing to Opal card only services should also allow for faster boarding times resulting in fewer delays, more reliable on-time running and increased safety for bus drivers. Remember to tap on and tap off with your Opal card to ensure you are charged with the correct fare.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1006953466919440384

[ozbob]

Daily Telegraph --> NSW minister requests review of Opal fares

The NSW transport minister hasn't ruled out a hike in Opal fares after the next state election pending a review of prices on the back of "improvements" made to the transport system.

Andrew Constance has asked the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to determine the "appropriate maximum fares" for Opal public transport services until June 30, 2024.

It follows a 2.2 per cent rise to Opal fares on July 2. The increase, which is in line with NSW's inflation rate, will stand until June 2019.

When asked on Thursday if fares would be increased after the 2019 state election, Mr Constance didn't confirm or rule it out.

Instead, he said it was a requirement IPART reviewed fares every five years.

"We've had fare freezes, had slight increases in the line of inflation ... and people are jumping on public transport because it's affordable," Mr Constance told reporters in Sydney.

"It's cheaper than using your car."

He noted the government didn't go ahead with IPART's proposal to bump up fares by 4.2 per cent earlier this year.

In his submission, Mr Constance said the government's "improvements" to the public transport network warranted consideration with Sydney Metro, light rail and on-demand services on the way.

The submission asks IPART to take into account the "costs and level" of Opal services when considering the "relative contributions" customers should make.

Labor's transport spokeswoman Jodi McKay said the government needed to be transparent and tell the public how much they would be paying for transport beyond June 2019.

She's concerned Opal fares could increase substantially given road tolls have increased almost twice the inflation rate.

"It's a cost of living issue, people are already paying massive tolls," Ms McKay told AAP on Thursday.

"Public transport needs to be affordable."

Mr Constance has asked IPART to deliver its determination no later than February 28, 2020.

[ozbob]

Mrs Ozbob and my brother & sister in-law (all QLD Seniors) are going to Newcastle area to visit some relatives in August for a few days.

QLD Seniors so able to apply for OPAL Gold Seniors Card.  This is gold this card as fares are capped at $2.50 per day, no matter were you go on the system.  Applying for and subsequently registering and top-up was all seamless. 

" Tap into public transport services across Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra and Southern Highlands capped at $2.50* a day, no matter how much you travel. "

>> https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/opal_for_interstate_seniors/ 

   

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> 'You'll get a cab': New $35 minimum for Opal card at Sydney Airport

Catching the train from Sydney airport may now appear a less attractive transport option for visitors, after a minimum $35 top-up was introduced for new Opal cards in a bid to stop people exploiting a loophole that was costing the state government millions.

All trips to and from the Sydney Airport stations attract a station access fee of $14.30 for adults or $12.80 for concessions, but since commuters are allowed to tap on with a balance of just $3.66 and can tap off with a negative balance, airport-goers can avoid paying the hefty surcharge by simply throwing away their card with the balance owing.

A spokeswoman for Transport for NSW confirmed that the $35 minimum, which covers the cost of a return train trip to the airport, was an effort to "stop the fraud which has been going on".

At the end of last financial year, Opal cards with insufficient funds at tap-off had cost taxpayers a total of more than $7 million, she said.

People who aren't planning to use the card during their stay in Sydney or for a return trip to the airport can still purchase a one-way ticket, which will cost the $14.30 station access fee plus the trip fare (so $18.70 in total from Domestic to Central).

Those who have existing Opal cards can still top up online or via the app at the airport for the usual $10 minimum.

So for those aware of the loophole, it's still possible to game the system for the trip to the airport.

The gate technology will eventually be updated to ensure all commuters pay the station access fee, the Transport for NSW spokeswoman said.

Colin Schroeder, co-convenor of public transport advocacy group EcoTransit, says the government would be better off redirecting funds being spent on road upgrades around the airport to "buying back" the train stations from Airport Link, a private company.

The station access fee is a "total disincentive" to using the train and should be abolished completely, Mr Schroeder said, especially for airport workers who are driving to work because of the exorbitant cost of the train.

"The amount of traffic that is going to the airport, as the amount of air traffic increases, there are more and more jams," he said.

While the train may be popular with some international travellers, Mr Shroeder said when people are travelling as a couple, group, or a family: "you'll get a cab".

A taxi from the airport to Central Station costs around $30-40. A family of four purchasing Opal cards at the airport would be set back $140.

"It's about time the government bit the bullet and bought the line back," Mr Shroeder said.

[Cazza]

https://transportnsw.info/news/2018/more-ways-to-pay-on-trains-ferries-light-rail#homepage

More ways to pay on trains, ferries and light rail

Contactless payments are now available for standard (peak) Adult Opal fares on Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink Intercity rail services.

If you are catching a train you can now tap on and tap off using an accepted contactless payment card, which means there are more ways to pay for a standard (peak) Adult Opal fare on any train, Sydney Ferries or light rail service within the Opal network.

There's no need to have an Opal card or wait in a ticket machine queue, just tap on and tap off to pay your Adult fare at an Opal reader with most American Express, Mastercard, Visa credit / debit cards or a smartphone, tablet or wearable device linked to one of these cards.

Contactless fares are now the same price as a standard (peak) Adult Opal fare for the same trip. Opal Daily, Weekly and Sunday travel caps are also applied, making contactless fares more attractive than before.

However some other Opal benefits such as Weekly Travel Rewards, Transfer Discounts, Off-peak train fare discounts, Trip Advantage and free access to Opal Park&Ride carparks are not available with contactless payments.

Being able to pay an Adult fare using cards and devices most people already carry makes public transport more accessible, particularly for tourists and locals who don't use public transport often enough to need an Opal card. It also offers a handy backup option if you forget or lose your Opal card.

Whether you are heading to the airport, a concert, sporting event or conference or just want to explore for the day, contactless transport payments mean there's one less thing to worry about.

Key Contactless Facts
Avoid card clash - tap on with one card or device only
You must make sure you only present one Opal card, credit / debit card or digital device to the Opal reader. If you try and tap your whole wallet or phone case on an Opal reader it's possible a card you didn't mean to pay with may be charged.

Tap on and tap off using the same card or device
If you use one card or device to tap on at the start of your journey and tap off with another one at the end of your journey you will be charged a default (maximum) fare on each card or device you tapped at the Opal reader.

Tap on and tap off every trip
If you don't tap on you could be fined for fare evasion. If you don't tap off you will be charged a default fare (except on the F1 Manly to Circular Quay service, which is a tap on only service).

Everyone must have their own card (or device)
You cannot pass a card you have just used to someone else to use to pay a second fare. However joint account holders can each tap on to pay for one fare per card or device per trip.

Charge your battery before travel
Authorised Officers can ask to see your ticket at any time. If you have paid with a digital device and cannot produce your ticket for inspection you may be fined up to $550.

No contactless Child/Youth, Gold Senior/Pensioner or Concession fares are available
If a contactless card or device is used, a standard (peak) Adult Opal fare will be charged.

[ozbob]

^ thanks Cazza.   

https://twitter.com/TrainsInfo/status/1066914869876744192

[verbatim9]

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/credit-card-payments-extended-to-sydney-s-trains-but-users-miss-out-on-opal-benefits-20181126-p50idm.html

The use of credit and debit cards to pay for public transport trips has been expanded to NSW's rail network following a trial on ferry and light rail services.

Passengers who opt for their credit cards will pay the equivalent of standard distance-based fares, unlike in previous trials when they were slugged a more expensive single-trip ticket.

However, the use of credit cards will not offer commuters the same benefits as those using Opal cards, which includes half-price travel after eight trips in a week, or a $2 transfer discount when switching modes of transport such as from a bus to a train.

^^Makes sense to apply the single trip discount only and omit reward schemes for multiple trips.

This tech is intended for casual users and tourists only with out the need to buy an Opal, to increase uptake of PT, while moving to cash free and paper ticket free on all modes.

^^I am sure this is the aim in Qld to go paper ticket free and cashless with Next Generation Ticketing.

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/railpage/status/1064685280186138624

[red dragin]

They had the Minister on Sunrise this morning spruking it.

Koche was clearly told "don't ask about the light rail" 

[verbatim9]

Airport gates to be reprogrammed not to allow commuters through if the card can potentially fall into negative balance at touch on or off. Hence a positive balance of $14.30 for Adult or $12.80 for Gold Senior/Pensioner, Concession and Child/Youth Opal card holders will be needed prior to touching on or off.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/crafty-commuters-exploiting-opal-loophole-cost-government-8m-20181128-p50iy9.html

It's not fair for the vast majority of customers who do the right thing which is why the government is taking action," Mr Staples said in a statement.
"We are currently working with Airport Link on a solution that will change the operation of the Opal gates so they remain closed if a customer does not have enough money to cover the correct cost of their fare."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1069637548547293185

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Free ride ends for train commuters caught rorting Airport Line

TRAIN passengers using a loophole to escape paying full fares to Sydney Airport will be stopped at the turnstiles in a state government crackdown on Opal fraud.

From January 7, gates at the domestic and international stations will not open for cardholders who don't have enough credit for the trip, ending a practice Transport Minister Andrew Constance called "straight out theft".

New "gate readers" will be installed inside the stations to show how much passengers owe on their Opal cards.

If they are the short, they will be forced to use new top-up machines near the exits.

Mr Constance said the Airport Line was "one of our greatest areas of exposure in terms of fraud".

"If you know you're going to go to the airport and you know you've only got five bucks on your Opal card and you think you can get away with it, that's just theft," he told The Sunday Telegraph.

"It's not an invitation to go out there and try and beat the system."

Trips to and from the privately-operated airport stations incur a $14.30 access fee plus the trip cost but a loophole currently allows commuters to board the train with only the minimum fare — $3.46 during peak and $2.42 in off-peak.

When they tap off with a negative balance, the gates still open under the expectation the passenger will top up their card — but the cards are often discarded by fare dodgers in bins.

The airport Opal upgrades are one of a number measures to be rolled out across the train network to stop rorters.

"The aim is stop fare evading across the board and the more we can use this technology to do it, the better because we need the monies to grow the services which everyone wants," Mr Constance said.

The Airport Line accounts for 90 per cent of "negative balance infringements" with $4 million lost in the last financial year — double the previous year.

A new $35 minimum top up amount for people buying Opal cards at the domestic and international terminals was recently enforced.

"The other thing we've done is introduce the contactless payment so you can also use your credit card," Mr Constance said.

Patronage has soared on the Airport Line with 200 extra services a week added during last year's timetable overhaul to meet increasing demand.

"Anyone who is committing fraud is only cutting their nose to spite their face because its affects government's ability to deliver more services," Mr Constance said.

A report last month by the NSW Audit Office revealed the number of Opal cards with negative balances was 1.1 million with $7.8 million in lost revenue records since 2014.

"Unlike other jurisdictions we don't charge for the card," Mr Constance said.

"People are able to get these cards throw them away — there's no penalty."

[verbatim9]

^^Bne Airport fare gates will be reprogrammed in the near future with next generation ticketing no doubt.

[Cazza]

Or just get a 400 or 420 to Mascot Station to skip the station fees and continue your train journey from there #reallybeatingthesystem

[verbatim9]

Or just get a 400 or 420 to Mascot Station to skip the station fees and continue your train journey from there #reallybeatingthesystem

It's a long trip with the 400 and very busy bus. The train trip from most locations in Sydney is far more convenient. I guess if you live in Burwood or Randwick the 400 can be more convenient, but not if you are heading into town or the Northern suburbs.

[Cazza]

I'm meaning you'd get the 400 or 420 from either the International or Domestic terminals to Mascot Station, then from there, jump on the T8 line as you normally would to continue into the City.

[verbatim9]

I'm meaning you'd get the 400 or 420 from either the International or Domestic terminals to Mascot Station, then from there, jump on the T8 line as you normally would to continue into the City.

I guess that would suit some depending on time constraints and travelling with minimal luggage.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1076868775591391232

[ozbob]

Daily Telegraph --> Sydney Metro northwest commuters won't be hit with private fare prices on trips

COMMUTERS using the Sydney Metro northwest will pay the same fares as the rest of the Sydney Trains network, according to the NSW Government.

Transport for NSW revealed prices for customers using the Metro will be in line with current Sydney Train fares pricing — after concerns from Hills residents they would be charged similar surcharges to the Sydney Airport line.

"Sydney Metro will be part of the Opal network and fares will be set by the NSW Government, just like the rest of Sydney," a Transport for NSW spokesman told the Times.

"There will be no surcharge to use Sydney Metro."

OPAL FARE ESTIMATES

Cherrybrook Station to Macquarie Park — $3.54 ($2.47 off-peak)

Rouse Hill Station to Central Station — $6.76 ($4.73 off-peak)

Kellyville Station to Epping Station — $4.40 ($3.08 off-peak)

Castle Hill Showground Station to Central Station — $5.05 ($3.53 off-peak)

Tallawong Station to Norwest Station — $3.54 ($2.47 off-peak)

Sydney Metro northwest services are expected to commence in the second quarter of this year, as Hills residents are given a sneak-peek of the soon-to-be-completed stations.

The release of information around fare prices comes after Baulkham Hills state Labor candidate Ryan Tracey called for the amounts to be released before the NSW Election.

Mr Tracey said the Metro was a Builder Owner Operator Transfer Scheme — meaning the network would be privately operated — like the Sydney Airport line.

"The one way cost of train travel from the city to the airport is exorbitant, which is why people avoid paying such an outrageous cost," Mr Tracey said.

"I want to ensure people living in the Hills are not forced to pay more than others do on the Sydney trains network."

Mr Tracey said Hills residents were also concerned the new network would result in a reduction of bus services, "to force people onto the northwest metro".

"They want to retain the bus services we have," he said.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Commuters could be rewarded with incentives including free coffee to travel at less busy times

Exclusive: Commuters could soon be rewarded with bonuses including discounted fares, free coffees and food if they change their travel times during peak hour to help ease congestion.

News Corp can reveal "tap and go" technology in all the major capital cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane has the capacity to read passenger movements in real time and encourage smarter and more efficient ways to travel.

Trials of peak-hour incentives on public transport in some cities overseas have seen a near 20 per cent reduction in peak hour movements.

Mastercard's vice president of digital and business development Surin Fernando confirmed the company — which oversees many of Australia's transport payment systems — is in discussions with both public and private transport operators to help get travellers to shift to less congested travel times within peak hour.

"We have the ability to provide offers to customers to drive consumer behaviour," he said.

He said the technology is available where cities have a contactless transport payment system, for instance Sydney's Opal network and Melbourne's Myki network.

Through Mastercard's technology Mr Fernando said they can see commuters using their cards or phones to pay "in real time and provide real-time offers."

Commuters in Sydney can "tap on" for single trips using their debit or credit cards or compatible smartphones on light rail, trains and ferry services.

Rewards could be delivered using a unique offer link or QR code depending on the merchant and how they prefer the offer to be redeemed.

Just this month on Tokyo's most-crowded subway lines they started offering free food to commuters to reduce peak-hour congestion.

Inducements included handing commuters complimentary tempura and soba if travellers took an earlier train that was less congested.

While in Chicago rebates have been given to commuters as a form of rewards for travelling on particular transport services to reduce overcrowding.

Mastercard partnered with urban tech accelerator City Digital to pilot what incentives would get Chicago commuters to change their travel patterns.

More than 2000 commuters signed up to receive text alerts which alerted them to peak travel times and gave incentives if sports fans opted to take a less busier travel option.

This resulted in commuters dropping off by 17.5 per cent between 5pm and 6pm.

Transport for NSW's co-ordinator general Marg Prendergast said that are investing $123 million in a world-leading multimodal transport management system, the Intelligent Congestion Management Program to improve "reliability and reduce the cost of congestion."

"We need people to rethink the way they commute, shift from driving cars to taking public transport and travelling outside of the busiest of the peak from 8-9am and 5-6pm," she said.

Sydney commuters can currently get rewards including half price fares after eight paid journeys in a week, daily and weekly travel caps and a special Sunday capped fare.

They can also get a 30 per cent discount for travelling outside of the peaks on the rail network.

If this is implemented, travellers would only be rewarded if they use their smartphones for transactions, not their Opal cards as it does not have the technology.

While in Melbourne discounts include a $6 cap for all-day unlimited travel in zones 1 and 2 and free journeys if you tap off before 7.15am on a weekday.

But social analyst David Chalke said offers incentives was a "bandaid solution" to the nation's lack of transport infrastructure to cope with bursting city growth.

"It's symbolic of the failure of transport policy," he said.

"We have expanded the population without building the infrastructure to harbour it.

"Whether people will travel our of peak times will be determined by the flexibility of their hours, it will work if people have flexi time."

He said the ultimate resolution was to build more public transport solutions.

In Sydney more than 1 million journeys have now been paid for by customers tapping on and off with a debit or credit card or their compatible smartphone or wearable device.

A pilot of this payment technique has been trialled on some Melbourne tram services.

This means commuters do not need to use an Opal or Myki to "tap on" and ride on compatible services.

Melbourne and Sydney were found to have worse traffic congestion than New York and less comprehensive public transport networks than Lisbon, the Urban Mobility Index found last month.

INCENTIVES

— Tokyo, Japan. Commuters given free tempura and soba for travelling on less congested subway services.

— Chicago, US. Commuters signed up to a trial alerting them to peak travel times to baseball games. If they opted to take a less busier option they were given a discounted fare.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/GladysB/status/1107433553157976066

[verbatim9]

More Opal only buses (cashless) coming online mid April

https://transportnsw.info/news/2019/more-sydney-buses-moving-to-opal-only-services#homepage




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[ozbob]

Daily Telelgraph --> Samsung Pay allows commuters to pay for public transport in NSW with Opal system

... Commuters will be able to use their Samsung phone to pay for trips on any Opal terminal that accepts credit or debit cards, including Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink Intercity rail services, light rail or on a Sydney Ferries service.

Contactless payments are not yet available for Sydney Buses. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/UrbanFerryist/status/1123024840984748032