A huge number of TAFE students and apprentices to ride the bus at half the cost in NSW
More than 80,000 students and apprentices are now able to get half price fares on the NSW public transport network.
To be eligible for a concession Opal card, TAFE NSW students must first be enrolled full-time for a minimum of 20 face-to-face contact hours a week, and must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
NSW minister for transport Andrew Constance says he encourages eligible apprentices, trainees and TAFE NSW students to apply online for a concession Opal card and make the most of the deal.
“Apprentices and trainees are currently only able to access concession fares when travelling between their home, workplace and place of training, but we’re lifting those restrictions,” he says.
“These customers can now apply for a concession Opal card and there will be no travel restrictions and no need for paper tickets.
“They will be able to access the concession fare for travel at any time on the public transport system.
“Concession Opal card customers pay 50 per cent discount fares, have an unlimited travel daily fare cap of $7.50 and $30 weekly fare cap, plus discounted off-peak train fares and free trips with the weekly travel reward.”
NSW minister for skills John Barilaro says the move will make it easier, simpler and more cost effective for apprentices and trainees to get around.
“This is about improving the customer experience for students, apprentices, and trainees by delivering an online solution for students applying for a concession Opal card,” he says.
Some students with disabilities, those not studying at TAFE and on certain scholarships may also be eligible.
Apprentices and trainees are required to have a valid NSW apprentice-trainee concession card before they can apply online for the concession Opal card.