Opal Electronic Ticketing System Is Coming To Western Sydney Trains But....

Yes that is true, as from 28th of February 2014, the NSW for Transport's Opal electronic ticketing system will be expanding to Western Sydney train commuters:

Opal card for Western Sydney by end of month

09 February 2014

NSW Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian announced on Sunday 9 February that the Opal electronic ticketing card would be available to train customers in Western Sydney by the end of February, giving tens of thousands more customers a cheaper, faster and more convenient journey.

On 14 February, Opal will be extended to 22 train stations from Homebush to Casula via Granville, as well as along the Carlingford line and to Olympic Park.

A further extension of Opal along 26 stations will occur on 28 February from Harris Park to Emu Plains and also to Richmond via Schofields.

“Today marks a significant milestone for Western Sydney as we modernise the way people use public transport, put an end to the Monday morning queue for a ticket and offer free Friday and weekend travel for regular customers,” said Mr O’Farrell from Parramatta Station.

“We are getting on with the job of delivering - this will make a huge difference for train customers in Western Sydney giving them benefits such as lower fares, weekly travel rewards, daily caps and discounts for off-peak travel,” he said.
“Opal will be available on 120 train stations by the end of the month.”

For an Opal card customer travelling from Penrith to Town Hall the single adult fare is $6.30 compared with $6.80 with a paper ticket, and only $4.41 for an Opal customer travelling off-peak.

For a regular Parramatta to Town Hall train commuter a weekly paper ticket costs $41.00, and with Opal you will only pay $37.60 plus you are rewarded with free travel on any mode for the rest of the week after eight paid journeys.

But....until buses have been launched  if you are traveling on a train and  you  enter a bus to complete next trip, we believe that you will not be able to use the Opal Card until the launching of the buses (by the end of year) - according to an Opal Operator, you will have to pay extra for the bus service.

Click here for Opal Card details

What Happens If You Are Blocked To Get To A Train Station - Parramatta Train Station!

What would you do if you were caught unable to get to the train station due to 'false fire alarm'?

This is what happened at Parramatta train station:

Click here for "False Fire Alarms at Parramatta Train Station' 

Imagine this could have started with a commuter smoking in the public toilets!!!!!!

Check Out Transport Figures On Australian Bureau Of Statistics - See What Your Western Sydney Trips Look Like!

Check Visual Transport Figures Australian Bureau of Statistics Style

Commuters In Western Sydney Take Note Of The New Sydney Trains Services Code Map

From 20th of October, commuters will have to know what your service codes are for Sydney Trains, Buses, Ferries and Light Rail.

Don't worry it won't confuse as it starts with the following letters and every mode has a code and colour:

Trains

Buses

Ferries

Light rail

New number codes for Sydney train lines (T1-T7) and Sydney ferry lines (F1-F7) have been introduced, in combination with line names.

These codes will appear in Trip planner results and Timetable searches when you set the date to Sunday 20 October or later.

Sydney Trains – Lines T1-T7

The T1-T7 lines include Sydney metropolitan and suburban services operating north to Berowra, south to Waterfall and Macarthur, west to Emu Plains and north-west to Richmond.

New name	Old name(s)
T1 North Shore, Northern and Western Line	North Shore & Western Line Northern Line
T2 Airport, Inner West & South Line	Airport & East Hills Line Inner West Line South Line
T3 Bankstown Line	Bankstown Line
T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line	Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line
T5 Cumberland Line	Cumberland Line
T6 Carlingford Line	Carlingford Line
T7 Olympic Park Line	Olympic Park Sprint

To see how the new codes work, view the Sydney Trains Network map (pdf 401KB)*.

Intercity Trains Lines

Intercity services connect Sydney to the Central Coast and Newcastle, the Lower Hunter, the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Bathurst, the South Coast and Southern Highlands.

New name	Old name(s)
Blue Mountains Line	Blue Mountains Line  (no change)
Central Coast & Newcastle Line	Newcastle & Central Coast Line
Hunter Line	Hunter Line (no change)
South Coast Line	South Coast Line (no change)
Southern Highlands Line	Southern Highlands Line (no change)

Sydney Trains Network

Click Here For Sydney Trains Intercity Trains Network

Further details click Here

Thanks to Paul from Old Toongabbie, who brought this to my attention!

Let us know if you like the ideas of new identification for all public transport services, we would like to hear from you!

Is Your Council In A Process Of A "Draft Integrated Transport Management Plan?

Well, this is another opportunity to door knock your Council, to see if there a  plan of the future  for public transport, especially with the largest populated Council in Sydney and Australia  is do this.

Contact your Council to see if they are doing this. This is your chance get them  to ensure public transport is catered for in the future.

Click Here for Blacktown Council Draft Integrated Transport Management Plan Summary

Does Your Local Council Have A Public Transport Forum And If Not, Why Not?

Any public transport are important if they invite part or  entire communities to listen too, politely provide feedback and add comments to the future of public transport in your local government area.

Even if you haven't been a public transport supporter and activist, this could your time to speak to you Transport Officers in your Council, community members  as well and engage in a public Forum (no heated debate) and all can work together to improve  public transport services and infrastructure.

We understand that Councils  do not make major decisions of public transport improvements on services and infrastructure, but they are the 'instigators'  to get what the community want to ensure property coverage is under taken. 

Talk to your Councillors and Officers of Council and get public transport moving,  the only way to do that is YOU start this process if you think you can make a difference with your local Council.

See what Blacktown City Council is doing at a recent public transport Forum:

Click Here for Blacktown City Council Transport Forum Summary 20/9/13