Opal Discussion and Observations

[boronia]

I'm confused how the data will be used for "planning" when it won't be available until after the free period. Unless they're planning on doing it next year, when people would probably do something different anyway.

[Linto63]

Presumably TfNSW want passengers, sorry customers, to tap on and off so that has something on which to report its full year patronage numbers. Also means that at busy times the flow of people through the gates can be controlled rather than having people trying to pass through a single width gate from both directions.

[Glen]

Wanted offenders would be more likely to fare evade therefore not picked up.

Absolutely! Of course they would.

If you want to catch a bus load of teenagers (and others) not wearing masks just jump on any Easter Show bus.

[Glen]

I'm confused how the data will be used for "planning" when it won't be available until after the free period. Unless they're planning on doing it next year, when people would probably do something different anyway.

I would think they'd just want to keep people in the habit of tapping on and off.

[boxythingy]

So the FAQs state that free fares applied to all Opal services, so then why the deliberate inconsistencies for Opal Pay services? Why exclude On-Demand transport, but exclude the Sydney Fast Ferry Manly-CQ and Barangaroo-Darling Harbour services, all of which provide limited service and vessel capacity provision that are unable to respond to patronage surges, unlike bus and rail services (subject to excess moisture levels in this city)?

It was actually foolish for them to include ferries for the fare-free period, noting that free access for normally somewhat premium fares deters usage for a limited service, but because of the holiday period would still attract the masses to board and take leisurely rides, and dare I suspect even if there was a theoretical Easter surcharge of 30% fare increases, which would not only potentially regulate/stabilise the degree of surges but somehow help compensate for hard times experienced at the moment with fuel energy access shortages, right?

This video depicts a sign which shows social distancing as a measure to limit capacities and maybe perhaps for staff to help people in queues to be compliant with the 1.5m social distancing recommendation. Despite the large area afforded by the modern design of Barangaroo Wharf no (extra ferry or externally contracted contingent) staff seemed to be available to assist with encouraging this practice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0DHNlG ... PTCommuter

Although mask-wearing Transport Officers and contingent staff providing masks were present at Circular Quay, I was surprised to see an internal brief posted in full public view at Meadowbank Railway Station which notes fare compliance activities would not take place.

https://i.imgur.com/SMWSQxe.jpg

This suggests that the mandate to ensure customers are to properly wear an appropriate type of mask in certain higher risk settings such as public transport facilities or modes is not a serious concern, nor is enforcement serious. If the NSW Government could please just be transparent now and advise the public that the deliberate proliferation of COVID-19 transmission is an attempt to produce the additional shorter term antibody and immunity (other than the other two types provided through vaccination) for those who survive infection? May a God or any other heavenly entity please bless front line workers and their loved ones that their immune systems are not compromised by the state or others' selfishness.

I can only report the sighting of just two police officers at Wolli Creek Railway Station for unknown reasons, perhaps to check if any people, for example, Eshays, may have chosen to still fare evade because they did not use any type of Opal Card with a minimum balance or valid payment method.

It was also a foolish decision for no journeys on Monday 25 April Anzac Day to be counted for potential half price peak hour fares for the remaining week as a means of strongly encouraging people to work more days in the office, so much for words to the effect that strongly urge the public to make a return to the CBD and areas near one's usual pre-pandemic work location (excludes those where the home or another location was the case).

Based on my analysis, there will be a fare increase, a probable sharper one because of expected inflationary pressures (so why not increase big time in one go) and I shall have no sympathy for the people in power, unions those with union membership choosing to adhere to union decisions or whoever deciding to not enable the operation of a usual timetabled service again.

Free fares spark surge in Sydney public transport demand during day
Matt O'Sullivan
By Matt O'Sullivan
April 21, 2022 — 4.21pm

TALKING POINTS
Twelve days of free travel sparked a surge in demand for public transport in Sydney in the middle of the day.
A Sydney transport expert says the data shows the free travel period had encouraged people to take more discretionary trips on trains, ferries and light rail instead of driving.
Ferries experienced the biggest surge in demand as daytime trips rose by 123 per cent on Tuesday.
Transport Minister David Elliott said he would consider making the case to Treasury for a repeat of the free travel period if supported by the business community.
The 12 days of free travel ends at 4am on April 26, and covers Opal public transport in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter and the Illawarra.
Free fares have sparked a surge in demand for public transport in Sydney during the middle of the day as people take discretionary trips on trains, ferries and light rail instead of driving, new figures show.

In a clear sign of the influence of free fares, trips during off-peak periods between 9am and 4pm rose 13 per cent on Tuesday, compared with the same days over the month prior. Day-time travel also surged by 29 per cent on Sunday, and by 54 per cent last Saturday.

Ferries experienced the biggest surge in demand as daytime trips rose by 123 per cent on Tuesday. It followed a 101 per cent rise on Sunday, and a 222 per cent jump last Saturday when the level of demand prompted authorities to ask people to consider travelling early or late in the day.

People make the most of free public transport in central Sydney on Thursday.CREDIT:JESSICA HROMAS

Trips on trains between 9am and 4pm also rose 16 per cent on Tuesday, and by 38 per cent on light rail services.

The school holidays did result in a 20 per cent fall in trips during the morning peak – 6am to 9am – on Tuesday, which was expected because children are major users of public transport. Their parents are also more likely to work from home during the school holidays or take leave to travel with their kids.

Sydney transport expert Mathew Hounsell, who analysed the patronage data, said the surge in day-time travel was most likely a direct response to the fare-free period. “The Saturday data shows just how big the response can be,” he said.

Hounsell said the data showed that the free travel period had encouraged people to take more discretionary trips on trains, ferries and light rail instead of driving, and might make more people reconsider using public transport after a long break from it during the pandemic.

“Tweaking Opal’s existing off-peak travel discount to give free travel might entice people back to public transport,” he said. “Most of the road traffic in the city is people taking short trips. Encouraging free public transport could reduce congestion on roads if it were to continue.”

Transport Minister David Elliott said he would consider making the case to Treasury for a repeat of the free travel period if the business community believed a surge in economic activity had made up for the forfeited fares.

Elliott said it was clear that free public transport was a “great economic lever” in assisting in the recovery from the pandemic. “Sydney has fallen in love with public transport, again,” he said.

The government will decide over the coming months whether it will increase Opal fares from July. Last year it raised fares by 1.5 per cent.

Labor transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen said it would be an “insult to passengers” if the government increased Opal fares from July after presiding over the shutdown of the train network in late February.

Haylen said the government needed to provide “real incentives” for passengers and deliver a quality service during off-peak periods. “If they are perceived as second rate, passengers just won’t use them,” she said.

The 12 consecutive days of free travel ends at 4am on April 26. It covers Opal public transport services in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter and the Illawarra, and includes trains, buses, light rail and ferries, as well as the Manly Fast Ferries.

Ferries were packed over the Easter long weekend.CREDIT:NICK MOIR

Transport for NSW chief operations officer Howard Collins said 7.7 million free trips had been taken on the public transport network since the start of the fare-free period, and almost 250,000 people travelled on ferries over the Easter long weekend.

Some 87,000 people also travelled on Sydney’s light rail services on Wednesday, which was the largest-ever daily patronage for that mode of transport.

Patronage on the transport network is expected to be strong again over the upcoming long weekend. After two years of disruptions due to the pandemic, full-scale dawn services and marches will resume for Anzac Day on Monday.

Masks remain mandatory on public transport despite the government recently scrapping close contact rules and other restrictions.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights.

[boxythingy]

Opal cards with $200 credit to be provided to refugees from Ukrainian settling in Sydney, but why could they not depict at least one person wearing a mask. Surely they all can't have blatantly ignored the mandatory mask requirement or have applied for medical exemptions?

Free public transport for Ukrainian refugees starting afresh in Sydney
By Tom Rabe

Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees will be offered free access to the state’s public transport system as they attempt to rebuild their lives in NSW.

The state government will offer more than 250 Opal cards with $200 credit to recent Ukrainian arrivals to help them move across the city.

Transport Minister David Elliott said he hoped the small gesture would help ease the financial burden during their first few months in Australia.

The Ukrainian Council of NSW said being able to afford to travel was vital for employment and education opportunities.CREDIT:JESSICA HROMAS

“To leave a life behind to seek safety and shelter in a new country can be very difficult, and providing these Opal cards is a small gesture to help them travel to important meetings and appointments such as medicals, community support groups, and religious services,” Elliott said.

“As the primary provider of public services, the NSW government will do whatever is needed to ensure victims of this senseless military action can feel safe and secure.”

The Opal cards will be distributed by the Ukrainian Council of NSW those most in need.

Ukrainian Council of NSW president Dan Wolody said the initiative would assist the recent arrivals as they work to establish a new life.

“Having mobility and being able to afford to travel while integrating into your new surroundings is vitally important when seeking employment and further education opportunities,” Wolody said.

The Opal card initiative comes after the government offered commuters 12 fare-free days during the Easter holidays as an apology for February’s 24-hour train network shutdown.

Sydney’s public transport patronage surged through the fare-free period after a lull brought on by the Omicron wave. Daytime travel increased by 29 per cent last Sunday, and by 54 per cent last Saturday.

Ferries experienced the biggest surge in demand as daytime trips rose by more than 100 per cent on some weekdays.

More than 130 of the Opal cards will be given to adults and about 115 to children, the government said.

Mr Elliott said more than 2500 Ukrainians had arrived in NSW seeking refuge. “Australia stands with Ukraine in its fight for its territorial sovereignty, and its right to peace and democracy.”

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/fre ... 5ahf5.html

[GriffinRoads1]

Reminds me of how most of the face mask posters at stations are just poorly photoshopped CityRail stock images.

[Swift]

Just political posturing on a trendy cause that's pathetic and WEAK!!! Can't expect less from our state pollies.

[Passenger 57]

The refugees will be entitled to Opal Gold cards if they are certified as applying for asylum and receiving aid from one of the agencies TfNSW recognises.

[BroadGauge]

Opal cards with $200 credit to be provided to refugees from Ukrainian settling in Sydney, but why could they not depict at least one person wearing a mask.

I don't know about the light rail, but people wearing face masks are usually a minority amongst train passengers on my line. What's wrong with depicting how most most passengers look?

[Campbelltown busboy]

Will this inflation problem put pressure on the government to do the unthinkable and raise gold opal fares witch hasn't been touched since the introduction of the universal PET tickets in the mid 2000s witch included a $1•40 fare rise that saw the fares go from $1•10 to $2•50

[Fleet Lists]

Not totally correct
The $2.50 fare replaced three different fare bands - the other two were in fact fare reductions.
I cant see them increasing it this point in time with an election coming up.

[TheOpalUser]

New on transportnsw.info - https://transportnsw.info/opalplus

Opal+ is a new way to plan, book and pay for travel, plus a whole lot more, all streamlined into one app.

The Opal+ app lets you plan intelligent multi-leg journeys across a variety of public and private transport services.

It simplifies how you pay for transport with a choice of pre-paid fare bundles to suit when and where you travel most, so you get better milage out of what you spend on travel.

You can add on travel extras like cheaper parking and rideshares. Plus you get perks like discounts on things like coffee, eating out and more.

Looks like you can register for the trial too.

[Swift]

I learned you can put in as little as $2.50 when you top up at a newsagent. It used to be minimum $10.

[boronia]

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/pub ... 5asto.html

[Merc1107]

New on transportnsw.info - https://transportnsw.info/opalplus

Opal+ is a new way to plan, book and pay for travel, plus a whole lot more, all streamlined into one app.

The Opal+ app lets you plan intelligent multi-leg journeys across a variety of public and private transport services.

It simplifies how you pay for transport with a choice of pre-paid fare bundles to suit when and where you travel most, so you get better milage out of what you spend on travel.

You can add on travel extras like cheaper parking and rideshares. Plus you get perks like discounts on things like coffee, eating out and more.

Looks like you can register for the trial too.

Doesn't a pre-paid fare bundle just increase the confusion of the cost of a trip?

[moa999]

Doesn't a pre-paid fare bundle just increase the confusion of the cost of a trip?

iPhone only, so I can't register.

But the bundles are a Massive Retrograde step to the dark ages.

One of the key benefits of the existing Opal system is that you know you are paying the lowest fare - no need to think about what your travel is in advance - if a daily or weekly cap applies it's just calculated.

That said the $10 weekend pack I would use, given its only $1.95 more than the current Sat/Sun individual daily caps.

https://transportnsw.info/opalplus/bundles

And the spend on software is massive, for what I think is pretty marginal benefit of a few third party services.

[moa999]

The Journey bundles are even stranger - just can't see much of a use case.

0-10km 2 Journey is $10.76

2 0-10km Peak rail Opal fares is $7.32
If you tag on a 0-3km bus/ light rail fare $9.72 (including the joke $2 transfer discount)

You'd need to have a second transfer for it to be valuable, and in any case if you're doing that as a regular weekly commuter you'll hit the weekly cap.

[Swift]

Plus multiple transfers are just a major PITA you'd gladly forgo any discounts for.

[ScaniaGrenda]

Not sure where to post this but had two transit officers get on my return train replacement back home this afternoon at the start the service, interestingly they didn't check for opal cards for the entire 50 minute journey I was on there for and this was the first I've seen them appear during rail replacement (Now that a certain local operator is required to charge for their replacement buses).

[Fleet Lists]

(Now that a certain local operator is required to charge for their replacement buses).
???? How do they charge for their buses???

[ScaniaGrenda]

my apologies, I worded that very poorly. I actually meant to say that that Operator runs the majority of trackwork replacement buses for that line so now that Opal is enabled on the replacement buses they operate, passengers are required to tap on.

[Swift]

my apologies, I worded that very poorly. I actually meant to say that that Operator runs the majority of trackwork replacement buses for that line so now that Opal is enabled on the replacement buses they operate, passengers are required to tap on.

I have to admit I interpreted that a similar way Fleet Lists did. Thanks for clarifying.

[Passenger 57]

One of the key benefits of the existing Opal system is that you know you are paying the lowest fare - no need to think about what your travel is in advance - if a daily or weekly cap applies it's just calculated.

You only know that you are paying the lowest Opal fares if you know all the Opal fare rules that may apply to your journey and are aware of the distances between the way points of your journey. I once walked 1km - 2km between bus stops to avoid going into the next fare band and was able to stay within the 0-3km fare band for the journey even though the last trip of the journey was longer than 0-3km. Even if the trip planner offered a lowest fare metric I don't think it would have offered that journey plan.

I can see these subscription plans appeal to two groups of people. People for who the subscriptions might be cheaper for and for suckers. I'm surprised that the prices aren't more enticing for most of the subscriptions. Are they counting on the add-ons and perks attracting people?

I do see some both welcome and unwelcome things in the subscriptions. I wonder whether they might be indicative of changes that might appear on Opal PAYG or on the other hand they may prevent sensible changes to Opal to avoid undermining the subscription product. It's welcome to see almost fully integrated fares across modes, with only ferry attracting a surcharge. The pricing though is mainly unwelcome except that off-peak has an ~ 40% discount. Unfortunately, they have not stated how distance is calculated. The 7 day unlimited Opal subscription is useful for people such as travellers that need an occasional week of travel and don't start their weeks on Monday. A weekend cap addition to Opal PAYG would be welcome. I find the journey subscriptions less than compelling. I would have thought it would be more attractive to offer products of various sized zone radii with unlimited travel within them for varying numbers of days at prices less than $15 per day/$50 per week. The Opal+ PAYG caps seem unduly high. Is that needed to cover the perks? Seems an encouragement to use regular Opal if you let your subscription lapse and regularly hit caps. The 2 journey subscriptions seem pointless as they work out the same as the Opal+ PAYG prices.

And the spend on software is massive, for what I think is pretty marginal benefit of a few third party services.

The cost/benefit study would be an interesting work of fiction I suspect. I'd rather Opal had sensible fare rules. Reading the Herald article you would be forgiven for thinking this "very old technology" which has been "pushed to its limit" was able to implement this, but I would guess its a different system as I would suspect the back end for contactless also is, so I'm in the dark about what they expect the new ticketing system be able to do better. Presumably, it will be account based but they already have the rudiments of that in contactless, the previous digital Opal trial and the transport connect platform. Will we completely transition away from the current stored value card for the new system?

[Merc1107]

I can see these subscription plans appeal to two groups of people. People for who the subscriptions might be cheaper for and for suckers. I'm surprised that the prices aren't more enticing for most of the subscriptions. Are they counting on the add-ons and perks attracting people?

It's probably been discussed to death round here, but surely a zonal fare system for Sydney would be better than distance-based bands that vary between modes, with transfer penalties, rebates, fare caps, and other eccentricities? Surely having the system calculate all these unique variables and come up with a fare must surely increase the possibility of an incorrect fare being charged?

Will we completely transition away from the current stored value card for the new system?

Personally I prefer the redundancy offered by a separate card. I don't have 1001 cards floating about in my wallet, so I can't really see the attraction. Others might appreciate the convenience, but there will always be those people who have to rummage around for their phone, unlock it, scroll to the right app, open it, select the right card and make their payment. I feel like this transition will simply encourage that sort of time-wasting behaviour (I'd rather a bag-tag recognised by public transport; walk past and it deducts a fare, as I seldom travel without a backpack).

There's also the question of how attractive such a large cache of debit/credit card numbers would be for an attacker, and the implications of some sort of breach on the user's finances versus Opal cards with varying balances on them.