Saving a few dollars getting to Syd airport...

[moa999]

I would hope like the e-tags that this eventually happens.

Had also happened in Japan albeit not on some of the smaller systems (eg. Hiroshima trams)

 

[BadgerBoi]

If the state govts of Aust's states were on the same ball park, we would have one and the same public transport ticketing system for all states of the nation!

Um, thanks but no thanks. That would bring us all to the lowest common denominator and for sure everybody's prices would rise to that of the dearest State.

 

[medhead]

Um, thanks but no thanks. That would bring us all to the lowest common denominator and for sure everybody's prices would rise to that of the dearest State.

Prices shouldn't need to change. It would just be a payment method that is usable on all Australian public transport. Fares can be independent of the payment method.

 

[BadgerBoi]

Prices shouldn't need to change. It would just be a payment method that is usable on all Australian public transport. Fares can be independent of the payment method.

Just because they "shouldn't" doesn't mean that they wouldn't. Sydney prices are about right, you can bet if some central authority took transport over they would skyrocket to Brisbane prices overnight.

 

[medhead]

Just because they "shouldn't" doesn't mean that they wouldn't. Sydney prices are about right, you can bet if some central authority took transport over they would skyrocket to Brisbane prices overnight.

Just pointing out that what was mentioned doesn't justify a price rise. Also worth mentioning that there is no need for a central authority either.

 

[markis10]

I would be happy to take Brisbane prices in Sydney, especially as bus to train or ferry transfer is included rather than being extra.

 

[BadgerBoi]

I would be happy to take Brisbane prices in Sydney, especially as bus to train or ferry transfer is included rather than being extra.

I pay far less in Sydney than I ever would in Brisbane, even with transfers. Last time I caught a ferry it was free, being my ninth trip in the week.

 

[markis10]

I pay far less in Sydney than I ever would in Brisbane, even with transfers. Last time I caught a ferry it was free, being my ninth trip in the week.

Same deal in Brisbane strangely enough, and no penalty for changing transport modes like in Sydney

 

[BadgerBoi]

Same deal in Brisbane strangely enough, and no penalty for changing transport modes like in Sydney

(shrug) Whatever. I'll keep my Sydney prices over your overinflated Brisbane fares any day, thanks all the same.

 

[Fruitcake]

Same deal in Brisbane strangely enough, and no penalty for changing transport modes like in Sydney

The most infuriating thing about the mode change penalty in Sydney that not only does it exist to begin with, but that it's not an accident - IPART has in the past expended a lot of effort to make sure the mode change penalty has increased.

 

[SydneySwan]

Do they take the EDR card when topping up the Opal?
Might as well get a few extra points and for some it could just keep the FF acount active.

I topped up my Opal card with $40 at Woollies at Town Hall yesterday - it was my only purchase. Results suggest that Woollies treat this like any other transaction. Receipt said I had earnt 'at least' 10 QF points plus a 4cent per litre fuel offer and the opportunity to BOGO at BSW on some sav blanc or shiraz. 4c fuel voucher already on my account. Still too early for the QF points.

 

[markis10]

I topped up my Opal card with $40 at Woollies at Town Hall yesterday - it was my only purchase. Results suggest that Woollies treat this like any other transaction. Receipt said I had earnt 'at least' 10 QF points plus a 4cent per litre fuel offer and the opportunity to BOGO at BSW on some sav blanc or shiraz. 4c fuel voucher already on my account. Still too early for the QF points.

You earn normal points, I have been doing it since June at Wynard.

 

[DeKa]

You earn normal points, I have been doing it since June at Wynard.

Confirmed - I earn normal points and it counts towards spend for bonuses. I love getting a 5% discount on transport too.

 

[SFSC]

The gold opal card will be available for seniors and pensioners from Monday. This should make it easier for interstate seniors/pensioners to catch the 400 bus from the airport.

 

[moa999]

Note it appears the Gold Opal will only be available online/ over the phone as you need to provide your concession card details as part of the application
(As well as at a few popup kiosks)

 

[SFSC]

The gold opal card will be available for seniors and pensioners from Monday. This should make it easier for interstate seniors/pensioners to catch the 400 bus from the airport.

Note it appears the Gold Opal will only be available online/ over the phone as you need to provide your concession card details as part of the application
(As well as at a few popup kiosks)

Looks like it's presently only available to NSW people. If you select the Pensioner Concession card option, text on the next page after the one quoted below states that it is only available for NSW Concession card holders at the moment.

Order a Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card

This Opal card is only available for the following card holders:

• NSW Seniors Card
• Pensioner Concession card
• NSW War Widows card

To confirm your eligibility, we will need to access the database of your card provider. In some cases this can take time.

We recommend including your email or phone number with your application, so we can contact you when the outcome is confirmed.

 

[moa999]

Looks like it's presently only available to NSW people. If you select the Pensioner Concession card option, text on the next page after the one quoted below states that it is only available for NSW Concession card holders at the moment.

Looking at that page it just shows an example picture of a NSW card.
Did you try a non-NSW card??

Note that Opal will not be available to non-NSW Seniors cards (same as myki not available to non-Vic Seniors cards, and no free transport in WA during off-peaks for non-WA),
although the NSW PET card is still available to all Seniors card holders (Pensioner Excursion - Sydney Trains)

 

[SFSC]

Looking at that page it just shows an example picture of a NSW card.
Did you try a non-NSW card??

Note that Opal will not be available to non-NSW Seniors cards (same as myki not available to non-Vic Seniors cards, and no free transport in WA during off-peaks for non-WA),
although the NSW PET card is still available to all Seniors card holders (Pensioner Excursion - Sydney Trains)

No. I didn't try a non-NSW card because I only have a NSW one. Just noted the text on one of the account pages that stated it wasn't available to non-NSW Concession card holders at the moment (which may mean that it will be available to them at a later date).

My wife has had a Concession Myki since 2011 as a NSW Seniors card holder. In fact it was to expire later this month. She renewed it through the mail and the new one arrived OK a week or so back.

 

[moa999]

I actually retract my statement.
Victorian Seniors card holders get myki which gives concession fares during the week and free weekend travel.
Non-VIC Seniors are still entitled to the concession myki but not the free weekend travel.
Seniors - Public Transport Victoria

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

I topped up my Opal card with $40 at Woollies at Town Hall yesterday - it was my only purchase. Results suggest that Woollies treat this like any other transaction. Receipt said I had earnt 'at least' 10 QF points plus a 4cent per litre fuel offer and the opportunity to BOGO at BSW on some sav blanc or shiraz. 4c fuel voucher already on my account. Still too early for the QF points.

You earn normal points, I have been doing it since June at Wynard.

Is there a psecial area where you have to do the top up?

I like the idea of 3 points via AMEX and some QFF on top.