New South Wales bus users will pay 2.4 per cent more from July 3, following an Opal Card fare hike
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s average annual increase of 4.2 per cent has been rejected. Opal fares will instead only be adjusted to CPI, meaning a small rise in fares.
New South Wales Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance says that the fare freeze that has been in place since last year has come to an end, but customers can be guaranteed increases will mirror inflation going forward.
“Our transport network has proven to be an easy, convenient and reliable system and we’re continuing to see increased demand across all modes of transport,” he says.
Gold Opal Card holders retain unlimited all day travel for $2.50 on any day of the week.
Adult Opal Card customers retain the $2 ‘transfer discount’ every time they change mode on a journey, and the transfer is within 60 minutes, while child/youth and concession Opal Card customers retain a transfer discount of $1.
Constance says it is important that price shocks aren’t too drastic for commuters, and that the announcement means a modest increase only, while pointing out that customer satisfaction for trains and buses is now at 89 per cent.
“We’ve kept fares low while investing billions in new rail lines and we also have brand new trains on the way to increase reliability and services.”