We talk about how difficult it is to possibly use the new Opal Electronic Ticketing System being introduced within this complex Sydney public transport network. So, it was exciting myself to use my first Opal Card, with so many questions asked and the complexity in just myself applying for the Opal Card!I hope that the experience that I have gone through, no one goes through.
Firstly, I would like to the NSW Minister of Transport, Hon. M/s Gladys Berejiklian, former NSW Premier, Hon. Barry O'Farrell, NSW Parliamentary for Transport, Hon. Mr Ray Williams and the current NSW Premier, Hon. Mr Michael Baird, for bringing in this new electronic ticketing system to revolutionise the way commuters purchase and use ticketing for all journeys.
From there I found just to apply for an Opal Card, was completely pain staking and complete knock backs until of recent when I was advised of a way to apply and obtain my Opal Card. My dilemma was that I didn't have a debit or credit card to provide 'Opal' for the first application until I was informed by an Opal customer service officer made a suggestion. This was to purchase a throw away debit/Master Card at any Australian Post Office.Why wasn't this suggested to myself before. I have lost the benefits of savings for the reduction of train fares, since the Opal Card was released on the Western Line.
Now getting the Opal, later then earlier, wasn't the only issue that I found. When I received the 'Starter Pack' from Opal - did not supply a listing of fares and prices. They response was - they don't do it as they don't set the prices!
So when I got charged for my first trip, $4.70 - I got confused which fare I get charged. The distance that this website provided between Mount Druitt and Parramatta was 20Kms. When you speak to Opal Customer Service Opal have worked out
*Maximum per week is based on the following assumptions:
- Two journeys a day (one in each direction)
- Peak hour travel only starting between the hours of 7.00am-9.00am and 4.00pm-6.30pm weekdays on the Sydney Trains network and between the hours of 6.00am-8.00am and 4.00pm-6.30pm weekdays on the NSW TrainLink network
- The Weekly Travel Reward applies after 8 paid journeys in a week (from Monday to Sunday) – all subsequent journeys are free to customers
- The Daily Cap of $15.00 for Adult and $7.50 for Child/Youth per day applies
** A further off-peak discount of 30% (on full price Opal full fares) applies to all train journeys taken before or after the weekday morning and afternoon peaks, as well as all day on weekends and public holidays. This is if you tap on outside of 7.00am-9.00am and 4.00pm-6.30pm on weekdays on the Sydney Trains network or outside outside of 6.00am-8.00am and 4.00pm-6.30pm on weekdays on the NSW TrainLink network i.e. at stations outside the Sydney Trains network.
†† An airport station access fee applies at Sydney Domestic and International Airport stations.
How are Opal fares calculated for customers
Opal card vs MyTrain adult fares comparison
| Fare distance band |
Distance KM’s | Station to station examples |
Card type | Opal single fare - peak | MyTrain single fare (peak)† | Opal off-peak |
MyTrain Weekly† | Opal (8 journeys = Weekly Travel Reward) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train 1 | 0-10 | Bondi Junction to Central Chatswood to North Sydney Lidcombe to Parramatta |
Adult | $3.30 | $3.80 | $2.31 | $28.00 | $26.40 |
| Child | $1.65 | $1.90 | $1.15 | $14.00 | $13.20 | |||
| Train 2 | 10-20 | Hurstville to Central Blacktown to Parramatta Bankstown to Central |
Adult | $4.10 | $4.60 | $2.87 | $35.00 | $32.80 |
| Child | $2.05 | $2.30 | $1.43 | $17.50 | $16.40 | |||
| Train 3 | 20-35 | Parramatta to Central Hornsby to Central Liverpool to Central |
Adult | $4.70 | $5.20 | $3.29 | $41.00 | $37.60 |
| Child | $2.35 | $2.60 | $1.64 | $20.50 | $18.80 | |||
| Train 4 | 35-65 | Richmond to Central Campbelltown to Central Emu Plains to Redfern |
Adult | $6.30 | $6.80 | $4.41 | $52.00 | $50.40 |
| Child | $3.15 | $3.40 | $2.20 | $26.00 | $25.20 | |||
| Train 5 | 65+ | Gosford to Central Wollongong to Town Hall Katoomba to Central |
Adult | $8.10 | $8.60 | $5.67 | $61.00 | $60.00* |
| Child | $4.05 | $4.30 | $2.83 | $30.50 | $30.00* |
* Caps at 4 x Daily Travel Cap of $15.00 for Adult and $7.50 for Child/Youth
based on 2 paid journeys or more per day to reach the Weekly Travel Reward. Excludes airport station access fee
based on 2 paid journeys or more per day to reach the Weekly Travel Reward. Excludes airport station access fee
I personally would like to see a mapping device provided by Opal to the community, showing us how they calculate the train distances between stations as per individual search!
No comments:
Post a Comment