Opal fares will be subject to the annual price rise from Monday 16 October, with the NSW Government ensuring the increase is less than the rate of inflation and securing deals for commuters by slashing fares on Fridays.
Fares across the Opal network will increase by an average of 3.7 per cent – less than $1 extra per week.
The NSW Government has worked to relieve cost-of-commuting pressures by delaying the fare changes, and ensuring they are less than the latest annual Sydney consumer price index movement of 7 per cent in the June 2023 quarter.
Cheaper weekend fares will be expanded to include Fridays, meaning people will receive a 30 per cent fare discount on Metro, train, bus and light rail services. Passengers will be able to travel all day for no more than $8.90. Child/Youth and Concession passengers will have a Friday fare cap of $4.45 for all-day Opal travel.
There will be no change to the weekly travel cap which will remain at $50 for adults and $25 for concession card holders and children. Seniors and pensioners will continue to enjoy their $2.50 daily cap.
Half-price trips after eight journeys will stop when the fare change comes into effect. Opal data shows almost 90 per cent of passengers are not reaching this cap. With fewer people commuting to work five days a week, cheaper Friday fares will have a greater impact on a much larger number of commuters.
The Station Access Fee set by the Airport Link Company for using the Domestic and International Airport train stations will also increase by $0.94 for adults and $0.84 for Child/Youth, Concessions and Senior fares.
Find out more about Opal fareslaunch
Fare estimates for multimodal trips can be calculated from early Octoberlaunch, ahead of the changes.
NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:
“Every weekend will soon be a long weekend when it comes to Opal fares, as we make Friday travel cheaper for everyone, trimming the cost of visiting the city be it for work, to shop or to enjoy a day and night out on the town.
“Weekend fares will apply on Fridays, meaning people can travel all day for no more than $8.90 and receive a 30 per cent fare discount on metro, train, bus and light rail services. Child, Youth and Concession passengers will have a Friday fare cap of $4.45 for all day Opal travel.
“We know people are having trouble paying the bills. That’s why we’ve made sure that the average fare increase will see an average difference of just $1 to a passenger’s weekly fare.”
Example fare changes:
| Current peak | New peak | Current off-peak | New off-peak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parramatta to Central | $5.42 | $5.72 | $3.79 | $4.00 |
| Penrith to CBD | $7.24 | $7.65 | $5.06 | $5.35 |
| Cronulla to CBD | $7.24 | $7.65 | $5.06 | $5.35 |
| Chatswood to North Sydney | $3.79 | $4.00 | $2.65 | $2.80 |