Opal cards: Why NSW commuters will have a CHEAPER ride next week

The cost of catching public transport is about to get a lot cheaper with the NSW government announcing a $50 per week cap for unlimited trips from Monday.  

Premier Gladys Berejiklian promised the weekly caps for Opal card users during the state election in March. 

The cap announcement comes after the state government said fares would rise in line with inflation on Monday. 

Premier Berejiklian said the cap would ease cost of living pressures for around 55,000 train, bus, ferry, metro and light rail customers

Premier Berejiklian said the cap would ease cost of living pressures for around 55,000 train, bus, ferry, metro and light rail customers.   

‘We want to make public transport more affordable and that is why we are lowering the cap,’ Premier Berejiklian said in a statement. 

‘From Monday adults will pay no more than $50 a week and the concession cap will also be reduced from $31.60 to $25 a week.’

Customers who regularly use the new North West Metro will be among those commuters who will benefit from the lower cap. 

An adult customer who travels from Tallawong Station to Central five days a week will save $563 a year. 

An adult customer who travels from Tallawong Station to Central five days a week will save $563 a year

The concession cap for public transport will also decrease from $31.60 per week to $25. 

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the NSW Government have rejected IPART’s recommendation to increase public transport shares by 4.2 per cent. 

‘Fares will only rise in line with inflation from Monday, meaning the rise will be 1.9 per cent or roughly 10 cents a week,’ Mr Constance said.

‘This means catching the train, bus, ferry, metro or light rail is still a much cheaper option than driving.’