IPART has completed its review of maximum Opal fares until July 2028. We sent our final report and determination to the Minister on 31 October and released our final report package on our website on 12 November 2024.
IPART reviewed maximum fares for train, bus, ferry, light rail, metro and on demand services within the Opal network, which includes Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, the Illawarra, and the Hunter.
Our final decisions result in a 2% average real increase compared to current maximum fares. The changes to each mode are:
- 0.7-4.1% real increase in rail fares (for train and metro services)
- 0% change to most bus and light rail maximum fares, and a 1.6% real increase to maximum fares in the 3 – 8 km distance band
- 3% - 4% real increase to Sydney ferry maximum fares
- The Newcastle-Stockton Ferry maximum fare will not increase
- On demand fares set at the same rate for an equivalent distance trip on the same mode for a scheduled service.
All maximum fares will increase by CPI on 1 July each year of the determination. For more information please see our short overview paper, the Final report or the Final determination.
Our review commenced in September 2023. In January 2024 we released an issues paper and a passenger survey. We received 500 responses to the survey and 23 submissions to the issues paper. We released a draft determination and draft report and sought public submissions on our draft decisions and recommendations. Submissions on the draft proposals closed on 16 September 2024. We received 22 submissions, they are now available online.
An online public hearing was held on 3 September, see transcript.
Transport for NSW does not have to increase fares to the maximum. Click here to see current Opal fares charged by Transport for NSW.