The issue is that too many pensioners that lose or are missing the Opal Cards, cannot get replacement Senior/Pensioner Opal Cards from authorised retailers. So when they catch local buses, the bus drivers charge full fare for the journey, until they receive the replacement Senior/Pensioner Opal Cards.
It is as easy as obtaining replaced Standard Adult Opal Cards, where replacement Opal Cards, can be issued at any authorised retailers. Otherwise, the system would be wrought with people obtaining Senior/Pensioner cards over the counters. This can take 3-7 days for the new replacement card to be received by mail. So, pensioners are in the mean time forced to pay full fare, when they are entitled to their discounted fares.
Jim suggested that the Senior/Pensioner Opal Cards, be issued at all Australian Post Offices an then the Pensioners can present their ID to confirm their identity, for releasing the replacement card. That would be a great way to ensure that pensioners/seniors are not waiting for days on end and will be paying the appropriate fare.
Even better, I thought with today's advanced technology, once a Senior/Pensioner Opal Card is reported lost/missing, then a soft copy could be emailed to the senior/pensioner customer, so that they can print it off as a 'hard copy' and it would have some sort of barcode or expiry date of 1 week. This will then allow access to use local buses and trains, until replacement Senior/Pensioner Card is received.
Jim thought my suggestion was brilliant. Although, I thought his idea was better. Jim advised he would visit his NSW State Member of Parliament tomorrow, to see what can be done.
Something needs to be done about this. We hope all stake holders, understand the issue here for Seniors/ Pensioners and look at a resolution to this issue. If you know someone that has had the same issue let us know.
A form of ID (Identification) w
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