Sydney trains: NSW public transport fares will rise

NSW public transport fares will increase by an average of three percent from next month.

The price hike will begin on July 4, with Transport for NSW saying the hike is “below inflation to ease pressure on the cost of living” and is much lower than the five percent hike recommended by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory tribunal.

NSW public transport fares will rise by an average of three percent from July 4

The cost of catching light rail, subways, trains, ferries and buses in NSW will rise by an average of three percent next month

Last year, IPART recommended a five percent increase in the Opal rate, but instead the government increased the cost by 1.5 percent.

Labor transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen said the rise, just weeks after Transport Secretary David Elliott promised to keep the rise to a minimum, was another blow to cash-strapped passengers.

“The costs of everything are going up and real wages are going down — now is the worst possible time to hit passengers with a fare increase,” she said on Wednesday.

Transport for NSW said the weekly limit of $50 for adults, the weekly limit of $25 for youth and concessionaires and the daily limit of $2.50 for Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal customers would remain.

Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said the fare increases had been kept to a minimum.

“For the vast majority of our customers, these rate changes will mean an increase of less than $1 per week,” said Mr. Collins.

“Any impact on heavy public transport users and retirees will be further mitigated by the weekly limit of Opal and the daily limit of Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal, which will be maintained at current prices.”

Transport for NSW said the weekly limit of $50 for adults, the weekly limit of $25 for youth and concessionaires, and the daily limit of $2.50 for Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal customers would remain