Opal - E-ticketing - fares discussion etc.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Changes to Opal fares for peak periods in regulator's sights

The state's pricing regulator is considering an overhaul of Opal ticketing for public transport for the next four years, including potential changes to fares at peak periods to spread the load on the rail network and reduce passenger crowding.

Because periods of high demand tend to be limited to travel in one direction, the regulator is weighing up whether peak fares should be limited, for example, to trips towards Sydney's CBD in the morning when trains are packed, or away from the city centre in the evening.

Another option is restricting peak fares at certain locations such as at Town Hall, Wynyard and Central stations in the CBD when overcrowding is a major problem.

At present, fares on Sydney Trains are 30 per cent lower in off-peak periods than the weekday peaks of 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6.30pm.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal is also canvassing an extension of off-peak fares from trains to cover buses, ferries and light rail.

In considering the setting of the fares from 2020 to 2024, IPART is also weighing up whether Opal fares for the light rail and metro train lines should be different to those for other transport modes.

The multi-billion-dollar Metro Northwest between Rouse Hill and Chatswood in Sydney's north is due to open in May. Fares for metro services will be the same as those for the existing rail network.

Labor's transport spokeswoman, Jodi McKay, said she was concerned that a different fare structure for metro trains or light rail in the longer term could set them up to be fully privatised by the government. "I am suspicious of why they would even look at it," she said.

A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Andrew Constance said IPART could make recommendations about fares but the government had the final say. "The government's position has not changed – metro fares will be the same as existing train fares and light rail fares will continue to be set in line with bus fares," she said.

Among the other considerations is how fares are calculated for different distances travelled, including the number of fare bands and maximum fares. It is also weighing up whether the $2 fare discounts when commuters use more than one mode such as a bus and a train in a single journey should be increased or lowered.

Another potential option is to offer the same discounts to commuters who make contactless payments for travel using credit cards or mobile devices as those who use their Opal cards

IPART chairman Paul Paterson said fares had fallen in real terms over the last decade and covered less than a quarter of the cost of providing public transport.

"Taxpayers are now paying more to operate public transport in NSW and with the significant investment in new services that is being made, this contribution is forecast to keep rising," he said.

The regulator will release its proposed Opal fares in November before making its final determination to the state government next February.

In July last year the government increased Opal fares by 2.2 per cent, which it emphasised at the time was in line with inflation.

The $2.50 cap on the cost of all-day travel for seniors was unchanged.

IPART had urged the government in 2016 to raise overall fares by an average of 4.2 per cent annually over a three-year period to help better cover the cost of public transport.

[ozbob]

Newcastle Herald --> Keolis Downer plays down amount of fare evasion on Newcastle light rail, despite reports

NEWCASTLE Transport operator Keolis Downer has played down concerns about the amount of fare evasion on the city's light rail.

Tram users have told the Newcastle Herald of regularly witnessing people riding the trams without paying for a fare.

"There are times when it seems we are the only ones that are paying," said Brian Agland, who uses light rail with his wife about three times a week.

"People just seem to get on and off without paying, without scanning a card.

"You think about doing it yourself; 'do you really need to pay to hop on?', because there's nobody checking."

Light rail passengers must tap on and off using Opal card facilities at each stop to pay for their trip, or purchase single-trip tickets.

But unlike the city's buses and ferries, the trams do not have a driver or employee regularly checking fares, nor a barrier preventing access like some train stations.

"It's a problem," light rail user Neil Allan said. "I've watched a lot of them. I'd say 10 to 15 per cent [do not pay]. Definitely happening. "

Keolis Downer told the Herald more than 2,700 fare compliance checks were carried out across the Newcastle Transport network in March, with 42 cases of non-compliance.

Both NSW Police and Keolis Downer can monitor fare compliance across light rail, bus and ferry services.

"Newcastle Transport's customer service officers play a vital role educating customers on Opal ticketing and ensuring ticket compliance across the network," a Keolis Downer spokesperson said.

"We encourage everyone to do the right thing and travel with a valid ticket."

Transport for NSW conducts surveys twice a year to record fare compliance.

The latest available data shows fare compliance on Newcastle buses dropped to 84.8 per cent in May 2018 from 88.9 per cent six months prior. Non-compliance was estimated to have cost $367,000 in lost revenue.

On the Central Coast and Newcastle train line, fare compliance was steady at 91 per cent over the six months to May 2018, but non-compliance cost $2.4 million in lost revenue.

Compliance was worse on the Newcastle half of the line, at 85.7 per cent, compared to 95.9 per cent on the Central Coast.

Fare compliance on the Hunter train line rose to 85.9 per cent in May 2018 from 81.8 per cent a year earlier.

[verbatim9]

New ways to pay promo video

https://youtu.be/T5Qh4p8Q294

[verbatim9]

NW Sydney bus services going Opal only (paper ticket free and cashless) from today.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Public transport savings for commuters and seniors as cut to weekly Opal fare cap kicks in

A lowering of the weekly cap on public transport fares from July 1 and travel benefits for seniors in regional NSW will cost taxpayers at least $160 million over the next four years, budget papers show.

The Coalition's election promises for transport included a reduction of the weekly cap on Opal fares from $63.20 to $50 for adults, and from $31.60 to $25 for holders of child, youth and concession cards.

With cost-of-living pressures a key political issue, the Berejiklian government also promised to continue a freeze on fares for holders of Gold Opal cards at $2.50 a day for the next four years. The budget papers do not detail the cost to taxpayers of freezing fares for those aged 60 and over.

The cheaper travel for frequent commuters and seniors comes as the Herald revealed last week that the annual subsidy from the government to cover the cost of transport services across the state is forecast to surge from $5.8 billion last year to $9.6 billion in 2028.

The cost to taxpayers of lowering the weekly travel cap for Opal cards is estimated at $70 million over the next four years. The government expects about 55,000 commuters to benefit, thousands of whom will save up to $686 a year.

Transport cards for aged pensioners in regional areas will provide each holder $250 towards fuel, taxis or train tickets each year over the next two years. The election promise has been budgeted to cost the government $90 million over three years.

The changes to Opal benefits come as the government is set to allow the public to use credit and debit cards to pay for travel on buses within the coming weeks.

At present, cards and devices such as mobile wallets on smartphones can be used to pay for travel on the state's passenger trains, trams and ferries.

However, commuters who use credit cards and devices do not gain the same benefits as those who swipe their 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.

" ... However, commuters who use credit cards and devices do not gain the same benefits as those who swipe their 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. ... "

Disclosure:  Proud owner of a GOLD OPAL   

[ozbob]

Opal fare changes from 24 June 2019

> https://transportnsw.info/news/2019/opal-fare-changes-from-24-june

[ozbob]

ARN --> NSW transport minister floats facial recognition as Opal alternative

New South Wales transport minister Andrew Constance has revealed plans to roll out facial recognition technology across the transport network as an alternative to Opal cards.

"In the transport space we'll use facial recognition technology to scan customers who've 'opted in' and linked their Opal account," Constance said in a speech at the Sydney Institute on Tuesday night.

"No more gate barriers. Just a smooth journey," he said.

The minister said he expected commuters to use "frictionless transport payments" in the "not too distant future" and compared the capability to Amazon's Go stores where shoppers simply fill their basket, walk out of the store, and then charged.

Constance also floated the possibility of using "biometric recognition" where people can be identified using other physical and movement markers.

"Digital identity verification will eventually be integrated with biometric recognition," he said.

"This will read someone's face, retina, breath, gait or voice to enable next level authorisation and access. Think truly contactless payments - entry to buildings, onto planes, at banks and hotels."

The capability could also be used to detect if someone on a train or bus was ill, Constance claimed.

Sydney's Opal card system is operated by Cubic Transportation – which also operates Queensland's Go Card system for TransLink and London's Oyster card system.

In 2017 it was revealed Cubic was running proof of concept trials of palm vein scanning and facial recognition in its London lab. The company claimed the biometric 'gateless gateline prototype system' could support a "doubled rate of passenger throughput".

The system is similar to current airport biometric passport readers, and to register, passengers have to have a 3D headshot captured in booths supplied by the company.

Such systems have been balked at by privacy groups worldwide. The Australian Privacy Foundation has previously called such systems "a danger to civil rights and privacy".

There is no evidence that the Opal card turnstiles cause delays to the network, or are a pain point for commuters.

More than nine in 10 commuters were satisfied with the ease of using an Opal card on the train network, according to Transport for NSW's latest customer satisfaction survey. Some 51 per cent were 'very satisfied' according to the survey published last month.

Satisfaction with the Opal card was even higher when considering buses (96 per cent of commuters were satisfied, 61 per cent very satisfied) and ferries (96 per cent satisfied, 73 per cent very much so).

[#Metro]

This is a bridge too far.

I guess the gov't realised that not everyone has a drivers licence to put in their mass database and so now they extend it to PT as well.

[verbatim9]

I don't think we really need this minority report tech right now. The NSW Government should just concentrate on an Opal card roll out Statewide incl Tweed Heads. Alternatively pay Qld to do the rollout of Next Generation Ticketing in the Tweed region.

[Stillwater]

"The system is similar to current airport biometric passport readers, and to register, passengers have to have a 3D headshot captured in booths supplied by the company."

Is that what they mean by 'getting your head read"?

You can see it, can't you ... The Chinese (or someone else) will hack the system, get the head recognition data, scan it for anyone they don't like and then direct a satellite drone to send a poison dart into their cranium.

[verbatim9]

"The system is similar to current airport biometric passport readers, and to register, passengers have to have a 3D headshot captured in booths supplied by the company."

Is that what they mean by 'getting your head read"?

You can see it, can't you ... The Chinese (or someone else) will hack the system, get the head recognition data, scan it for anyone they don't like and then direct a satellite drone to send a poison dart into their cranium.

^^Exactly we don't need this tech right now for Public Transport. @ Ports and Airports and other points of entry and exits to the cotuntey I can see a need for it.

[verbatim9]

Savings for commuters using contactless payments

https://www.commbank.com.au/guidance/newsroom/cba-tfnsw-tap-and-go-busses--201907.html

Sydney commuters to receive even more Opal travel benefits when tapping on and off using their credit card or mobile device.

From tomorrow (Monday, 29 July) commuters using their credit card or mobile device to 'tap on and off' Opal enabled train, light rail, Sydney Metro, and ferry services will receive the same Opal travel benefits as they would using their adult Opal card.

This is an extension to the contactless transport payments trial run by Transport for NSW in partnership with the Commonwealth Bank, Cubic and Mastercard. The trial is also extending to the Sydney bus network in a staged roll-out over the coming months.

CBA has developed the core payment infrastructure, and the bank plays a key role as the acquirer, and back-end processor of transactions.

All scheme cards (Mastercard, Visa and AMEX) are accepted, and commuters using contactless payments will now also receive the Opal travel benefits, including:

Daily, weekly and Sunday travel caps in line with Opal caps

Weekly travel reward (half price after eight trips)

The Opal transfer discount

Off-peak pricing for train travel

CBA's Executive General Manger of Business Customer Solutions, Clive Van Horen, said: "The demand for contactless payments and the use of digital wallets is growing at pace, so we are thrilled to continue our ongoing partnership with Transport for NSW to launch one of the largest integrated consumer payments networks in Australia with over 21,000 payment devices.

"What was previously a transit gate is now essentially a payment terminal, demonstrating yet another example of how technology is enabling faster and more convenient experiences for the community and smarter, more connected cities."

The trial has the potential to be replicated to other transport networks across Australia.

For more information about the contactless transport payment trial.

[SurfRail]

It's very easy to roll this stuff out when your smartcard project was 15 years behind schedule when rolled out in full, and you've learned from everybody else who had functioning systems 5 years earlier.

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/7NewsSydney/status/1155743007381102592

[verbatim9]

Contactless Payments extended to buses

Transport NSW------->https://transportnsw.info/news/2019/contactless-payments-on-bus-services

Thursday 15 August 2019

Busways in Western Sydney is the latest operator to have the contactless payment technology fitted, so you can now tap on and off using your credit card on Opal readers on Busways services in Blacktown, Penrith, Windsor and Mt Druitt.
Contactless transport payments are currently being rolled out to all Opal-enabled buses in stages. Transport expects that contactless payments will be available on all buses in the Opal network by the end of October.
If you tap with your credit or debit card you now receive the same fare and travel benefits of an Adult Opal card. You can also use your mobile wallet on your smartphone, tablet or wearable device that is linked to your American Express, Mastercard or Visa card.
Benefits include:

$2 discount for every transfer between modes (train, ferry, bus or light rail) as part of one journey. The Opal Transfer Discount does not apply when transferring between light rail and Sydney Ferries.

Half price travel after eight paid journeys in a week.

Fares capped daily, weekly and on Sundays.

30% discount on train fares outside peak times.

Note: contactless payments are not accepted for Transport Park&Ride.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AndrewConstance/status/1175973277879033856

[verbatim9]

TransportNSW.info----> Earn up to $2 travel credits with Opal Connect

Earn up to $2 travel credits with Opal Connect

Tuesday 22 October 2019

Opal Connect is the easy way to pay for your On Demand travel and earn rewards as you go.

Three On Demand services are the first to participate in the trial: Cooee Busways (The Ponds), CDC HillBus Metro Connect (Norwest) and Interline Connect (Edmondson Park).

Customers who sign up to Opal Connect will be eligible to receive a $2 travel credit each time they transfer between participating On Demand services and Opal services like the bus, train or metro services.

Travel credits will be added to your Opal Connect balance to be used for future On Demand bookings.

Find out more about Opal Connect and how to start earning credits.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Transport for NSW launches new platform Opal Connect

Transport for NSW this week launched what it calls Opal Connect, a new digital payments platform.

"Opal Connect is a new ticketing solution that aims to provide an integrated and convenient experience for customers through one trusted digital account," said a Transport for NSW spokesperson.

Opal Connect links customers between different modes of transport through one account, connected to a credit or debit card Customers can use this Opal Connect account to sign in to different transport operator's apps to book and pay for their travel.

It has the potential to become a subscription service, with bundled transport options.

"Into the future, Opal Connect has the capability to become a one stop shop for all transport transactions and information, whether it is public transport, rideshare, taxis, parking and even tolling," said the spokesperson.

"Our goal is to make this key part of the journey as simple and integrated as possible. This first stage of Opal Connect provides another incentive to leave the car at home and enjoy a ride on our new, state of the art Metro system."

Transport for NSW has worked in partnership with Cooee Busways, MetroConnect, Via Technologies and Swat Mobile to integrate this new technology into On Demand apps.

Opal Connect services > https://transportnsw.info/opal-connect

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Cost to taxpayers of Opal cardholders dodging fares hits $10m

The state government is losing out on millions of dollars in revenue each year from passengers using a loophole in the Opal ticketing system, despite attempts to curb fare evasion.

While the amount the government failed to collect this year fell, an audit shows the total revenue lost to passengers tapping off with negative balances on their Opal cards has surpassed $10 million since the introduction of the electronic ticketing system.

A report by NSW Auditor-General Margaret Crawford has urged the state's transport agency to take further measures to stem the loss of revenue.

In the year to June, $2.9 million in revenue was not collected due to negative balances on Opal cards, compared with $3.8 million the prior year. Revenue from an unregistered Opal card cannot be collected unless the holder tops it up.

The continued loss of ticket revenue comes despite Transport for NSW making it harder for people to exploit the system. A technology upgrade in January means passengers with negative balances are forced to add credit to their Opal cards at top-up machines inside train stations at Sydney Airport before they can pass through ticket gates.

Passengers buying Opal cards at the airport stations also need a minimum of $35 on their cards.

The stations at the domestic and international terminals had been where much of the revenue lost from passengers disposing of cards with negative balances had been occurring.

Labor's transport spokesman Chris Minns said there was a leak in the payment system that the government had to plug.

"Failing to fix this part of the payment system will have a continuing and negative effect on the network's balance sheet," he said.

Transport for NSW said it was "continually working on solutions to reduce revenue loss" but noted fare evasion had more than halved since the introduction of the Opal system.

"While most people are doing the right thing, there are still some commuters who travel without sufficient funds on their Opal card," it said.

The report also shows crowding on Sydney's buses has worsened over the last year. Almost 9700 services left commuters behind in the year to June because buses were full, up from 8801 in the year prior. The majority of buses too full to pick up passengers were in western Sydney such as Parramatta and Liverpool, and the city's north west.

Transport for NSW said almost $25 million has been allocated for 2850 extra services this financial year, of which almost 2000 would run on routes in Sydney's north west and south west.

Ahead of the opening of Sydney's light rail line next month, the Auditor-General also demanded the transport agency "improve transparency of costs and budgets".

"Transport [for NSW] should have the detailed costings of the [light rail] project available to update budgets and costs regularly," her report said.

The cost to taxpayers of the 12.7-kilometre light rail line has ballooned to at least $2.9 billion – $1.3 billion above the amount first budgeted.

The Auditor-General has begun another performance audit of the light rail project, which is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.

She also plans to carry out another performance audit of the $16.8 billion WestConnex toll road project. The total value of claims received by the state from contractors and other parties for unforeseen planning conditions, environmental matters and those relating to compulsory land acquisitions for WestConnex hit $239 million this year.

[Gazza]

What's the cumulative total of opal deposits being held though?

[verbatim9]

An overhaul of the opal card system could be on the way. The Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal is calling for higher fares for single trips and more discounts for more frequent public transport users. The final report comes out in February. https://t.co/TWh1KQycs4 #7NEWS https://t.co/rmQmVrSx5Q

https://twitter.com/7NewsSydney/status/1204332561477947392

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Five per cent price hike for Opal fares recommended by regulator

Single fares for Sydney's public transport should be increased by 5 per cent annually over the next four years but more discounts should be offered to regular users, according to the state's pricing regulator.

In a draft report to the NSW Government, the Independent Price and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) said passengers were currently paying about a quarter of the overall cost of public transport, with taxpayers funding the rest - the equivalent of $4900 per household.

A 5 per cent annual rise for single Opal fares between 2020 and 2024 would amount to a 30-cent increase for every adult journey on average, according to the regulator.

While the IPART recommended an increase in fares, the draft report also suggests the government introduce a range of cost-saving measures for regular commuters and low-income passengers.

Those include offering people discounted fares after travelling three-to-four days a week, rather than the current eight-trip threshold, as well as discounted off-peak fares for all modes of transport except ferries.

The regulator said those measures would encourage people to travel outside of peak times, reduce load on the network and avoid the need for additional services.

It also recommended offering people with a Commonwealth Health Care Card (roughly 2 per cent of passengers) discounted rates.

"Enabling access to transport for those who are struggling to make ends meet is vital for their continued participation in the workforce," the report said.

The recommendations would provide a balance between passenger contribution and taxation funding to make the public transport network sustainable over the long term, the IPART said.

A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the government would have the final say on Opal fares.

"The NSW Government is focussed on keeping downward pressure on the cost of living, this includes ensuring public transport is affordable for everyone," the spokeswoman said.

"IPART play an important role in making recommendations to government as well as determining the maximum fare, however the government has the final say on Opal fares."

The opposition called on the government to reject the recommendations.

"At a time of stagnant wage growth and low inflation, with rising unemployment, the Berejiklian government should not take this opportunity to gouge the hardworking families of NSW," shadow treasurer Walt Secord said.

The regulator in 2016 recommended a 4.2 per cent hike of Opal fares over four years, however the government chose to increase the price by CPI, which was 1.9 per cent last year.

As well as ticket pricing, the IPART has also recommended the government consider offering a wider variety of public transport passes, including $20 weekend passes for unlimited access.

"Passengers would be able to choose different travel passes and products tailored to meet their travel patterns and budgets," the draft report said.

The final IPART report is expected to be handed down in February 2020.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney's Opal card to go digital, paves way for all-modes service

Sydney commuters could soon be able to add an Opal card to their smartphone's digital wallets, bringing the city a step closer to the transport minister's vision of a subscription-style transport system.

The government in 2020 will trial the digital card, which will give commuters the same fares and benefits as physical adult Opal cards, though the system won't yet cater for concession holders.

The digital card will allow commuters to pay for all modes of public transport, as well as taxis and Uber, Transport Minister Andrew Constance said.

He said the government would seek a delivery partner in January, adding the new system was another step towards a completely digital public transport future.

"In the not too distant future, I envisage a subscription style transport service where people use their Digital Opal cards to pay for a subscription service for transport – like Netflix," Mr Constance said.

"The digital Opal will be used to pay a nominal fee each week or month for unlimited access to all public and private public transport providers."

The trial will run for one year, and will be made more broadly available if it proves successful, a Transport for NSW spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman said the government was still finalising its selection criteria for the several thousand commuters to trial the digital card.

"We are interested in particularly trialling this new technology with customers that regularly use public and private transport services," they said.

TfNSW is also planning to launch a "companion app" with the new digital card, to assist commuters keep track of their travel transactions.

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the state had exhibited an appetite for digital services, and pointed to the high take-up of the NSW digital driver's licence and FuelCheck app as evidence.

The digital Opal will be available in a pre-paid model or "pay as you go" during the trial.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney commuters overcharged hundreds of thousands in Opal network bungle

Sydney commuters have been overcharged more than a quarter of a million dollars in just 12 weeks by tapping on to the city's public transport network with their credit cards or smartphones.

A fault to the government's new contactless payment method resulted in more than $266,000 having to be refunded to commuters from the last quarter of 2019, Transport for NSW confirmed to the Herald.

The payment bungle was attributed to "minor issues" experienced by the government's technology partners, with TfNSW insisting the problem had been completely corrected.

The payback represented only 0.6 of a per cent of the $46,000,000 in contactless payments collected over the 12 weeks, according to the department.

The technology – where a smartphone, credit or debit card is used to tap onto the Opal system – was extended to the entire network in September 2019, having been rolled out incrementally since late 2018.

The Transport for NSW spokeswoman said the payment issues had been resolved, with 'card clash' – where commuters accidentally scan several credit cards in their wallet – blamed for much of the problem.

"We would also like to remind customers to separate their cards when they tap on and tap off to ensure the preferred card is charged," the spokeswoman said.

"On the rare occasion of system glitches and errors on the Opal network, Transport for NSW proactively refunds customers' accounts."

While the government insisted it had repaid those overcharged, Sydney commuter Tory Torres, who says he was overcharged by $300, is yet to be reimbursed.

"If I robbed you of 300 odd dollars, I would be rightly arrested, why is Opal immune from the law," he told the Herald.

Other users took to online forums to complain about their credit cards being charged multiple times for single trips, describing the system as "ridiculous".

One commuter claimed they were charged $140 after an Opal machine gave several error messages as they attempted to pay multiple times.

Others said they had also been overcharged when using their credit cards, but hadn't alerted the government to their issue.

"Total scam, they are banking on people not bothering like me," they wrote.

Opposition transport spokesman Chris Minns criticised the Berejiklian government's handling of the network.

"If a private business operated this way they'd be sued, but the NSW government acts as if they are above the law," he said.

Acting Transport Minister Paul Toole celebrated the 30 millionth contactless payment on Friday, lauding the convenience of the Australian-first service. The government is also planning to trial a digital Opal card this year.

As the government works towards modernising its payment platform, the state's independent pricing regulator recently recommended a five per cent annual increase to fares.

Passengers currently pay about a quarter of the cost of a journey, with the rest subsidised by taxpayers - the equivalent of just under $5000 per household, according to the Independent Price and Regulatory Tribunal.

A 5 per cent annual rise for single Opal fares between 2020 and 2024 would amount to a 30-cent increase for every adult journey on average, according to the regulator.

[ozbob]

Daily Telegraph --> Bus, light rail fares to rise on July 1

Commuters will be slugged with increased peak hour public transport prices from July 1 with the government expected to announce the latest changes today.

The independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal report recommended introducing a 30 per cent off-peak fare for buses and light rail services, with an aim to reduce peak hour congestion.

Under the report's recommendations, the average price change would be 60 cents a week with 75 per cent of customers paying less than $1 extra per week.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance told 7 News the changes will help " incentivise people to change their habits".

Shadow Transport Minister Chris Minns said the government needs to consider the current economic climate.

"The changes will be today, but we're begging the government not to introduce them. The IPART modelling which this is based on did not take into consideration the COVID-19 situation," he told The Daily Telegraph.

"For many people, how are they going to convince their boss that they can start work a couple of hours late."

[ozbob]

Broadsheet --> Opal Fares Are Dropping by 50 Per Cent for the Next Three Months (But Before You Travel You Might Want to Read the Fine Print)

The New South Wales government has announced it will halve off-peak travel prices on train, bus, metro and light-rail services for three months from July 6. The discounted pricing is intended to encourage travel during off-peak periods and promote social distancing as people begin returning to work post-lockdown.

But you'll have to get up extra early if you want to take advantage of that 50 per cent discount: peak period has been extended by an hour and a half in both the morning and evening. That means the peak window will stretch from 6.30am to 10am (usually 7am to 9am) in the mornings and from 3pm to 7pm in the evenings (usually 4pm to 6.30pm). So, the discount will apply from 10am to 3pm on weekdays.

New South Wales transport minister Andrew Constance said in a press conference yesterday that the change is intended to encourage commuters to "retime their day". From July 1, network capacity will double to 68 people in train carriages, 23 people on buses, 40 in light-rail carriages and 65 in metro carriages.

"We're continuing to clean trains three to four times a day, buses three to four times a day," said Constance, who also encouraged those making short trips to walk or cycle.

Although the 50 per cent discount on off-peak travel will be removed in three months, a permanent 30 per cent discount on off-peak travel will remain for buses and light-rail services. A new $8.05 travel cap has also been implemented on weekends.

[ozbob]

Newcastle Herald --> Cost of Newcastle tram rides to rise by close to $1 as part of changes to public transport fares which include new off-peak discounts

The cost of an adult trip on Newcastle light rail will increase by close to $1 next month as part of changes to public transport fares.

The NSW government has announced Opal fares will change from July 6, including a temporary 50 per cent discount for off-peak travel on bus, train, metro and light rail services to help manage social distancing.

The 50 per cent discount will end after three months, but a permanent 30 per cent off-peak discount will then kick in for bus and light rail travel in line with the existing off-peak discount on the train network.

But while the cost of an adult light rail fare will decrease to only $1.60 in off-peak times, a regular fare will rise to $3.20 from the current of price of $2.24.

Off-peak discounts will apply to travel on the city's bus network for the first time but regular fares for trips between 0-3 km will ultimately rise from $2.24 to $3.20.

In off-peak times, the cost an adult bus fare between 0-3km will decreases from $2.24 to $1.60.

Trips between 3-8 km will drop from $3.73 to $1.86 and journeys more than 8km will fall from $4.80 to $2.40.

However while the extension of off-peak discounts to light rail and bus travel will be welcomed, commuters are likely to be less enthused by changes to peak travel times across the public transport network.

New peak travel times being introduced from July 6 include: 6:30am-10am on Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro, light rail and bus (currently 7am-9am); 6am-10am on Intercity Trains (currently 6am-8am); and 3pm-7pm on Sydney Trains, Intercity Trains, Sydney Metro, light rail and bus (currently 4pm-6:30pm).

Peak train fare prices have not changed.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance has encouraged people to take advantage of the off-peak incentive to help stagger essential travel on the public transport network as COVID-19 restrictions ease and patronage steadily increases.

"The vast majority of commuters will benefit from these changes with either cheaper travel or no change to their fares," he said.

"A third of commuters will save an average of $3.60 a week based on current travel patterns."

The changes come after a review of public transport fares the the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) last year.

"We've waived the usual CPI increase and have rejected recommendations by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to increase Opal fares by 20 per cent over four years," Mr Contance said.

A new $8.05 all-day travel cap will be introduced on Saturday and Sunday.

Other existing Opal benefits remain the same, including:

A $2 transfer discount,
The daily cap of $16.10 ($8 concession),
$50 weekly travel caps ($25 concession),
Half price trips after eight journeys in a week,
$2.50 unlimited travel for Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card holders.

[verbatim9]

^^Despite the rise, the off peak initiative seems quite good and may encourage off peak use.

Something to replicate in Qld for shorter off peak trips?

[ozbob]

https://transportnsw.info/news/2020/opal-fare-changes-from-6-july

Opal fares will change from Monday 6 July 2020 including a temporary 50% discount for off-peak travel on metro/train, bus and light rail services.

From 6 July:

There will be a temporary 50% discount for off-peak fares on metro, train, bus and light rail services.

Weekday peak fare travel times will be extended.

Monday to Friday

Sydney metro/train, bus and light rail peak times   

6.30am-10am

3pm-7pm

Intercity train peak times

6am-10am

3pm-7pm

A new $8.05 all-day travel cap on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays will be introduced.

There will also be changes to fares during peak times within 0-3km fare band for buses and light rail.

Opal benefits remain the same, including:

$2.50 unlimited daily travel for Senior/Pensioner Opal card holders
Weekday and weekly travel caps
Half-price fares after eight paid journeys in one week

[verbatim9]

Opal.Card goes virtual in partnership with MasterCard. Users will be able to add their Opal card to Google Pay, Apple Wallet and other similar digital wallets

IT News---> Opal Card goes virtual

[SurfRail]

One advantage of being 13 years late with a smartcard ticketing system is that it will be a bit more robust than the systems which were rolled out 6-7 years earlier than it, like ours and WA's.

[verbatim9]

Transport NSW---> Opal Digital Card Trial

[verbatim9]

^^Overwhelming support for the digital Opal trial. The trial is now full

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Smart devices now able to integrate with Opal

Transport for NSW is running a trial to allow passengers to use smart devices such as a phone or watch to tap on and off, instead of a physical Opal card.

The Opal card will be integrated with digital wallets, similar to those used to make daily purchases and access membership cards. The Opal digital card can be added to Apple Wallet on iPhone or Apple Watch, Samsung Pay on Samsung phones and will shortly be available in Google Pay.

A trial of 10,000 adult Opal customers will begin the project and will run for 12 months.

"Opal users will be able to register their interest through the transportnsw.info website and will be notified whether they have been successful in the trial over the coming weeks."

The Transport for NSW spokesperson said the move was about integrating ticketing with changes to consumer behaviour. ....

[verbatim9]

IT news----> Digital Opal card sign-ups suspended after 10,000 user target reached

[verbatim9]

Contactless Payments educational ad - 15s



https://youtu.be/p0Gvd1CXWdQ

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Opal card to expand to Uber, share bikes in world-first trial $

Thousands of Sydney commuters will be able to pay for Uber, taxis and share bikes with their digital Opal card as part of a world-first state government trial that will offer financial incentives for multi-modal transport.

The trial of 10,000 Opal customers aims to incentivise multi-modal transport through the city by offering a $3 credit to commuters who use public transport and at least one other mode within an hour. ...

[verbatim9]

The NSW Government have the right ideas to integrate all transport modes.

[Cazza]

Except they have a fare structure set up that discourages transfers and connections between different modes...

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Public transport fares to rise as $850m coronavirus black hole is revealed $

Public transport fares will be increased next month as the NSW government faces an $850 million black hole in lost revenue from coronavirus restrictions.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance on Wednesday announced the government would increase fares by 1.5 per cent from July 5, which he said was in line with inflation expectations. ...