Fridays used to be the day you hopped on the bus with a spring in your step, opal card in hand, but Transport NSW has had enough of your buoyancy.
Announcing recently, transport minister Andrew Constance announced that free travel after eight journeys will no longer be happening after a restructure of the opal fare system.
The news comes after a regulatory investigation into the current pricing and suggestions to raise fares.
While prices will remain frozen until July next year and the adult opal daily fare cap will also remain unchanged, the minister has decided to adopt the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s recommendation to change the weekly travel reward system.
Now, instead of the sweet, sweet moment commuters see an unchanged balance as they tap off, they will only gain 50% discount fares after eight paid journeys a week.
Criticism of the changes have come swiftly, with many travellers pointing out that the current rewards system was used to promote the benefits of the switch from travel ten paper passes.
Greens transport spokeswoman Mehreen Faruqi condemned the change, saying “this is a step backwards and a 50 per cent discount is simply not enough. People who are dependent on public transport rely on this rule for an affordable journey”.
Slight relief comes for those who use multiple forms of transport to get to work though, with a new rebate applying to those who change modes of transport in the one journey. Switch from a train to a bus and you’ll get a two dollar “transfer discount” against the cost of paying twice.
Criticism of the changes have come swiftly, with many travellers pointing out that the current rewards system was used to promote the benefits of the switch from travel ten paper passes.
With the cost of living rising in Sydney, and with residents being priced out of their rental homes, parking spots and cars, many are left confused as to why our public transport prices continue to strangle residents.
In related news, see Melbourne properties available for lease here.