Half price off-peak travel on public transport
February 24, 2021 at 9:22:49 AM
Female at a light rail station tapping on using an opal card
AUSTRALIA, NSW GOVERNMENT: From Monday 6 July 2020, customers will receive a 50% discount when travelling on public transport in Sydney during the off-peak.
The temporary discount will apply to customers using the bus, train, metro and light rail services.
Travel outside these times will be eligible for a 50% fare discount:
1. 6:30 am to 10 am on Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro, light rail and bus (currently 7 am to 9 am)
2. 6 am to 10 am on Intercity Trains (currently 6 am to 8 am)
3. 3 pm to 7 pm on Sydney Trains, Intercity Trains, Sydney Metro, light rail and bus (currently 4 pm to 6:30 pm).
The new travel discount will help manage social distancing measures and stagger essential travel as more COVID-19 restrictions ease.
A new $8.05 all-day travel cap will be introduced on Saturdays and Sundays to help spread weekend travel on public transport.
Existing Opal benefits remain the same, including:
1. $2 transfer discount
2. The daily cap of $16.10 ($8 for concession)
3. Half price trips after 8 journeys a week
4. $2.50 unlimited travel for Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal cardholders.
The 50% off-peak discount will remain for 3 months, then a permanent 30% discount for off-peak travel will apply on bus and light rail.
The discount will match the current off-peak fares for train and metro.
Fares for bus and light rail peak journeys between 0 to 3 kilometres will be increased. This is to encourage people to walk or cycle for short distances or travel off-peak.
All other fares will either remain at current levels or reduce by the off-peak discount.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said customers are encouraged to take advantage of the off-peak incentive.
“A third of commuters will save an average of $3.60 a week based on current travel patterns,” Mr Constance said.
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