Opal card to replace all paper tickets

Today I got an ugly surprise at the train station.  It's a surprise I had a feeling was coming so when I got off my train at Ashfield this evening I was gobsmacked but not at all surprised.

My Multi paper tickets are in fact being phased out and replaced with the Opal card on the 1st of September.  The Opal card is a prepaid card which you load with credit and can be used for travel on NSW public transport services like trains, light rail, buses and ferries.  14 My Multi cards will no longer be available for purchase from the 1st of September however ones purchased prior to that date will be valid until the expiry date.  Those which are still being sold  after the 1st of September will progressively be phased out.

I can understand why the Transport minister, Gladys Berejiklian wants to roll out the new system.  It's much easier to have just one system than it is to have a number of different tickets however as a high transport user I will end up paying more.  I've always suspected I'd pay more but now I've confirmed it.  At present I pay $46 a week for an adult My Multi pass, when Opal is completely rolled out that will increase to $101.20 even with the discount for one day a week.  That means I'm going to be paying an extra $55.20, which is a HUGE difference to pay.  I'm sure others are in the same boat.

If you are please let me know.  I'd be very interested in hearing your story on what this Opal roll out means for you.  I don't think Berejiklian understands that high transport users won't benefit from the new system.  She's introduced it on the assumption that people only use trains to go to and from work.  If this was the case then she's right, the cost would in fact decrease to $36.80 but as that's not the case I'm going to end up paying double for transport.

That's not right.

Then there are other changes being made to NSW Transport.  Berejiklian has announced six new stations being rolled out and while some of the stations do need to be upgraded I think people in Western Sydney, at least the ones I've spoken to would rather there were more reliable services that were on time and more frequent than they presently are.

The intention is right, but some people are certainly going to be left short changed.  It makes you wonder.  Has the Transport Minister actually spoken to high users of public transport?