The annual increase in Opal fares from July 4 comes amid growing concerns about cost of living,which was one of the major issues during the recent federal election campaign and is expected to dominate the state poll next March.
While the average fare increase will be 3 per cent,a $50 weekly cap for adults,$25 for young people and concession holders,and a $2.50 daily cap for Gold Senior and Pensioner Opal cardholders will remain.
Opal fares will rise by 3 per cent on average on July 4.Peter Rae
The latest increase compares with a 4.4 per cent rise in Sydney’s consumer price index over the 12 months to March. It is lower than a 5 per cent hike recommended by the state’s pricing regulator.
Last year,the increase in ticket prices was pegged to the rate of inflation,resulting in a.
The changes from July 4 mean a one-way peak-hour train trip from Penrith to Central will increase from $6.99 to $7.24,while a journey from Hurstville to Town Hall will rise from $4.55 to $4.71,and one from Gosford to Central Station will jump from $8.99 to $9.31.
A ferry trip from Circular Quay to Manly will rise from $7.76 to $8.04 during peak hour.
The government argues that the below-inflation increase in fares will help ease cost-of-living pressures.
However,Labor transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen said it was the worst possible time to hit passengers with a fare increase as the cost of everything was rising,and real wages were falling.
“This year the government shut down the entire train network,played politics with passengers and has failed to deliver a service that people can rely on,” she said. “Why should passengers pay more for a service that fails to get them to work or their kids to school on time?”
NSW government hands down 2022/2023 budget,focusing on a stamp duty overhaul,school and childcare reform,and a cash injection on infrastructure.
Transport for NSW chief operations officer Howard Collins said the Opal fare changes for the next 12 months had been “kept to a minimum” and for the vast majority of commuters it would mean an increase of less than $1 a week.
“We want our customers to continue to access affordable and convenient public transport,” he said.
Two weeks ago,Transport Minister David Elliott said ticket prices for the next 12 months would be considered with commuters’ adding that the government was “very conscious” of the cost to families.
The,released on Tuesday,cite surveys showing that cost of living is “the most significant driver of consumer stress and concern”. Non-discretionary inflation has risen by 5.5 per cent over the past year,more than double the rate of discretionary inflation.
The annual fare increase comes as the government plans to spend $568 million on a to the Opal ticketing system,which senior transport officials have warned is being pushed to its limit and is now “very old technology”.
The Opal system was progressively rolled out over several years from 2012,ending
Our Breaking News Alertwillnotify you of significant breaking news when it happens..