Concession cardholders and pensioners will soon be able to use credit and debit cards on public transport across New South Wales. Previously, to claim discounted fares and weekly caps, these cardholders had to use a physical Opal card. But a digital upgrade to the system means these passengers can use a credit or debit card, mobile phone, or another digital device on all forms of public transport.
The changes will be gradually rolled out from next week (ABC News: Timothy Ailwood). The change, which will be rolled out gradually from April 16, will benefit nearly 1 million passengers, according to the government. During a press conference on Sunday, Minister for Transport John Graham said 70,000 students would be the first to be eligible to attach their concession travel to their phone during the first phase of the rollout, before the method becomes available to seniors and pensioners. Mr. Graham said the upgrade would make it easier for these groups to hit the weekly Opal cap, as government modeling showed pensioners and concession holders were not reaching the threshold for discounted travel.
For adults, the cap currently sits at $50 a week, while for concessions, children and young people the cap is $25 and for seniors and pensioners, there’s a daily cap of $2.50. “We know that people are not hitting the cap and the reason they might be using an electronic device, [because] they’ve got the physical Opal card down the back of the couch,” Mr. Graham said. NSW Secretary of Transport Josh Murray said the move marked the beginning of a much broader program of change dubbed “Opal next gen.”
“I would encourage any concession holders to go to the transport website, it’s a simple process – you will need to link the credit card or the device that you would like to use to your account,” he said. “And it just requires you to have your concession details with you when you sign up.” In a statement, Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said the innovation would make a real difference to students and apprentices. “When you’re studying, training or starting out in your career, every dollar counts, and this upgrade makes it easier to access the concessions people are entitled to,” Mr. Whan said. “Our government is focused on making life easier and more affordable for people, gaining skills and training for the jobs of the future.”
