Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance has marked the third anniversary of Opal by announcing an expansion of retailers and outlets where people can pick up and top up on Opal.
“It’s just four weeks until most types of old style paper tickets are phased out on New Year’s Day, so it’s time to move to Opal,” Mr Constance said.
To mark Opal’s third anniversary and the countdown to the end of paper, extra Opal outlets have been announced today including 50 extra Woolworths stores to go live over the coming weeks (delivering 118 stores in total) as well as 19 additional Service NSW centres, including Parramatta, Bankstown, Hurstville and Wetherill Park (27 in total).
The new Opal Woolworths stores cover metropolitan and regional locations such as Granville, Cabramatta, Nowra and Tuggerah giving more options for customers to add value to their cards or to pick up an Adult or Child/Youth card, Mr Constance said. “And with an additional 19 Service NSW centres getting Opal retail services, it’s getting even easier to switch from paper,” he added.
“Opal is simple and convenient to use and has many advantages over the old-style paper tickets, including daily and weekly fare caps, free travel after eight paid journeys in a week, and 30 per cent discount off-peak train fares. That’s why I’m encouraging everyone in the community to make the switch now and ensure they are prepared for travel in 2016,” he said.
Mr Constance said the NSW Government is continuously enhancing the Opal system and has been working with Woolworths to extend their Opal retail service. Also, the new locations provided by Woolworths and Service NSW has enhanced the existing 2,000 Opal retailers that service customers from the South Coast to Port Stephens and out to Bathurst. Customers can also get a card at Opal kiosks now located at 45 trains stations, ferry wharves, light rail stops and bus interchanges, as well as at selected shopping centres.
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