Commuters travelling on buses and light rail will save on their off-peak trips for the first time with Opal fare changes coming into effect today.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said a 50 per cent discount is now available for off-peak trips on buses, trains, light rail and metro.
“For customers who can travel outside of peak hours there are really significant savings to be had. These changes are about helping to reduce crowding during the busiest times of day to ensure everyone can physically distance and stay safe during COVID-19,” Mr Constance said.
The new peak travel times are:
- 6:30am–10am on Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro, light rail and bus (currently 7am-9am)
- 6am-10am on Intercity Trains (currently 6am-8am)
- 3pm-7pm on Sydney Trains, Intercity Trains, Sydney Metro, light rail and bus (currently 4pm-6:30pm)
The 50 per cent off-peak discount will remain for three months, before a permanent 30 per cent discount for off-peak travel comes into effect. This will be a first on bus and light rail services and in line with existing off-peak fares for train and metro.
A new $8.05 ($4 concession) discounted all day travel cap has been introduced on Saturdays and Sundays to help spread weekend public transport loads, particularly on ferries.
Peak fares have increased for bus and light rail journeys between 0-3 kilometres. All other fares will either remain at current levels or reduce by the off-peak discount.
Existing Opal benefits remain the same, including:
- The $2 transfer discount,
- The weekday cap of $16.10 ($8 concession),
- $50 weekly travel caps ($25 concession),
- Half price trips after eight journeys in a week,
- $2.50 unlimited travel for Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card holders.
| Adult one way fares | Peak | Off-peak | Saving per trip from peak to off peak | |||
| Journey | Mode | Current price | New price | Current price | New price | |
| Penrith to Circular Quay | Train | $6.89 | $6.89 | $4.82 | $3.44 | $3.45 |
| Central Station to Lisarow | Train | $8.86 | $8.86 | $6.20 | $4.43 | $4.43 |
| Wollongong to Central | Train | $8.86 | $8.86 | $6.20 | $4.43 | $4.43 |
| Rouse Hill to Chatswood | Metro | $5.15 | $5.15 | $3.60 | $2.57 | $2.58 |
| Lidcombe to Padstow | Bus | $4.80 | $4.80 | $4.80 | $2.40 | $2.40 |
| Broadway to Central | Bus | $2.24 | $3.20 | $2.24 | $1.60 | $1.60 |
| Central to Star City Casino | Light Rail | $2.24 | $3.20 | $2.24 | $1.60 | $1.60 |
| Rydalmere Wharf to Circular Quay | Ferry | $7.65 | $7.65 | $7.65 | $7.65 | $0.00 |
| Fare band | Peak travel | Off-peak travel | |||
| Previous Adult fares | Adult fares from 6 July | Current Adult fares | Adult fares from 6 July | ||
| Train and Metro | |||||
| 0-10 km | $3.61 | $3.61 | $2.52 | $1.80 | |
| 10-20 km | $4.48 | $4.48 | $3.13 | $2.24 | |
| 20-35 km | $5.15 | $5.15 | $3.60 | $2.57 | |
| 35-65 km | $6.89 | $6.89 | $4.82 | $3.44 | |
| 65+ km | $8.86 | $8.86 | $6.20 | $4.43 | |
| Bus | |||||
| 0-3 km | $2.24 | $3.20 | $2.24 | $1.60 | |
| 3-8 km | $3.73 | $3.73 | $3.73 | $1.86 | |
| 8+ km | $4.80 | $4.80 | $4.80 | $2.40 | |
| Light rail | |||||
| 0-3 km | $2.24 | $3.20 | $2.24 | $1.60 | |
| 3-8 km | $3.73 | $3.73 | $3.73 | $1.86 | |
| 8+ km | $4.80 | $4.80 | $4.80 | $2.40 | |
| Ferries | |||||
| 0-9 km | $6.12 | $6.12 | $6.12 | $6.12 | |
| 9+ km | $7.65 | $7.65 | $7.65 | $7.65 | |