The Concession Opal Card
transport made easy Tap into
Tap into Need help?
If you have any questions about Opal it’s easy to find out more. Visit opal.com.au or call Opal Customer Care on 13 67 25 (13 OPAL) 24 hours, 7 days a week. Hearing or speech impaired customers call Opal Customer Care via the National Relay Service on 1300 555 727. TTY users, call 133 677.
OP262_0115
Now you’re going places With your new Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card you can travel on all the same public transport services you currently use with your Pensioner Excursion Ticket. That is, trains, buses and Sydney Ferries throughout Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra and Southern Highlands. The Opal network currently includes all trains, ferries, and more than 4,000 buses. By early 2015, you will be able to use Opal on all modes of public transport including light rail.
With your new Concession Opal card you can travel on public transport in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra and Southern Highlands.
Before your first Opal journey >> Activate your card Simply follow the instructions on the sticker attached to your Opal card.
>> Add value If you didn’t add value to your Opal card when you first ordered it, you need to add some value before you can travel. See ‘How to top up’ to find out more.
How to tap on and tap off
✓
✓
✘
✘
Tap on or off at an Opal card reader
Tap on or off at a gate
Do not insert Opal card into ticket slots
To pay for your travel, tap on and tap off with your Opal card on Opal card readers at train stations, ferry wharves, on buses, or at light rail stops. Every Opal reader has a display screen and makes sounds to confirm you’ve tapped on or tapped off correctly.
Tap off at the end of your trip
Tap on at the start of your trip Green light + 1 ding Balance $36.70
Flashing amber light + 3 dings
P
Tap on successful.
Low balance
Tap on successful but you need to top up soon.
Flashing red light + two-tone ding Balance too low
Ð
Tap on unsuccessful. You need to top up to travel.
Green light + 1 ding
-$3.59 Balance
P
Tap off successful. Your fare has been deducted. Fare deducted
Flashing amber light + 3 dings
-$3.59 Low balance $2.40 Tap off successful. Your fare has been deducted but you need to top up soon.
Flashing red light
+ two-tone ding
Card not valid
Ð
Tap off unsuccessful. See staff for assistance or call 13 67 25 (13 OPAL).
Tap on and tap off for the correct fare When travelling with Opal remember to tap on and tap off *. Otherwise you’ll incur a default fare, which may be more than your normal fare. Default fares won’t exceed your daily or weekly travel caps and don’t count towards the Weekly Travel Reward. Also if you haven’t tapped on with your Opal card, you’re not travelling with a valid ticket and can be fined. *You don’t need to tap off when travelling on the Sydney Ferries F1 Manly service.
How to top up >> Auto top up
>> Manual top up
Auto top up makes travelling with Opal even easier Top up as you go: by linking your Opal card to a credit or debit card. • Online at opal.com.au* When your balance gets low, it tops up automatically. • By calling 13 67 25 (13 OPAL)* So you’re always ready to travel. • At more than 1,800 Opal retailers – to find your nearest visit retailers.opal.com.au You can set auto top up at opal.com.au or by calling 13 67 25 (13 OPAL). Did you know you can link your Opal card to a friend or relative’s Opal account? Then they can pay your travel costs for you.
Auto top up works just like an e-tag Opal auto top up works just like the e-tags we use for road tolls. When your balance gets low, your Opal card automatically tops up from a linked credit or debit card. So you’re always ready to travel.
It may take up to 60 minutes for phone or online top ups to take effect. *Every time you top up online or over the phone you need to present your card to an Opal card reader within 60 days, or the top up amount will be refunded to your account.
Opal benefits >> Lower fares
>> Opal trip advantage
All Opal fares are cheaper than the single paper ticket equivalents. Concession Opal fares are half the price of Adult Opal fares.* With Opal you can also save 30% on train fares off-peak.
If you make several trips using the same mode of transport, as long as your transfer occurs within 60 minutes†, it counts as a single journey and a single fare.
>> Earn free travel
>> Never pay more than $7.50 a day
Study, friends, work, beach… as a student, trips on public transport can add up fast. That’s where Opal shines. Once you complete 8 paid journeys in a week, your travel for the rest of the week is free.* We call it the Weekly Travel Reward.‡
The Opal Daily Travel Cap means your fares are capped each day at $7.50.* So you won’t pay more, no matter how much you travel.
>> Never pay more than $30 a week
>> 24 hour access
Opal is also student-budget friendly. No matter how much you travel, the Weekly Travel Cap means you never pay more than $30 a week.*
You can view your travel and transaction history by logging into your Opal account online. The Opal Customer Care team can also provide you with your last 10 transactions over the phone. Call 13 67 25 (13 OPAL) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
>> Never pay more than $2.50 on Sundays Whether you’re catching up with friends, or catching up on study at the library, fares capped at $2.50* on Sundays gives you an extra reason to get out and about. * Excludes Sydney Airport Station Access Fee.
† 60 minutes applies to all services except the Sydney Ferries F1 Manly service where the standard transfer time is extended to 2 hours and 10 minutes from tap on. ‡ The journey count for the Weekly Travel Reward resets every Monday at 4.00am. Journeys made after reaching the Daily Travel Cap do not count as paid journeys, so don’t add towards the Weekly Travel Reward.
Opal fares Opal fares are calculated based on the mode of transport you choose and the distance you travel. Concession Opal card fares are half that of Adult Opal fares and capped at $7.50 a day.*
>> Train
Save 30% off-peak
Concession Opal train fares are cheaper than the paper equivalents, especially if you travel off-peak, or after you reach the Weekly Travel Reward.
Save 30% on Opal train fares by travelling on weekends, public holidays or outside the peak hours below:
Train fare bands 0-10km 10-20km 20-35km 35-65km >65km Peak
$1.69
$2.10
$2.41
$3.23
$4.15
Off-peak
$1.18
$1.47
$1.68
$2.26
$2.90
Sydney Trains NSW TrainLink
7am – 9am and 4pm – 6.30pm 6am – 8am and 4pm – 6.30pm†
* Excludes Sydney Airport Station Access Fee. † The morning peak hours are shorter at some NSW Trainlink stations, making it easier to travel off-peak. For a full list of these exceptions visit opal.com.au
>> Ferry
>> Light rail
You can use your Concession Opal card on all Sydney Ferries and the most you’ll pay for a single trip is $3.59.
The most you’ll pay on the light rail for a single trip is $1.75.
Sydney Ferries fare bands
Stockton ferry fare (Newcastle)
0-9km
>9km
Single trip
$2.87
$3.59
$1.05
Light rail fare bands 0-3km
3-8km
$1.05
$1.75
>> Bus Whether you take one bus, or make use of the Opal trip advantage and take a few, the most you’ll pay on a single journey is $2.25.
Bus fare bands 0-3km
3-8km
>8km
$1.05
$1.75
$2.25
Note: All fares are correct as of January 2015 and are subject to change.
>> Opal and the Newcastle Fare Free Zone
Newcastle Fare Free Zone
The Fare Free Zone in Newcastle for buses operates between 7.30am and 6pm, seven days a week.
7.30am to 6.00pm, 7 days a week No tap on and tap off required for travel only within the Fare Free Zone.
If you’re travelling only within the Fare Free Zone during the above hours you don’t need to tap on and tap off with your Opal card.
Tap on
If any part of your trip is outside the Fare Free Zone then you need to tap on and tap off to pay for your travel.
(outside the Fare Free Zone)
Tap off
(outside the Fare Free Zone)
Tap off
Tap on
Fare Free Zone
Opal trip, journey and transfer explained >> A trip is travel on one mode of public transport with a single tap on and tap off.
>> A journey consists of one or more trips where transfers between services occur within 60 minutes.*
>> A transfer occurs at the end of a single trip. Tap on again within 60 minutes* to combine trips into a journey. If you only travel on one mode you don’t pay two fares, just a fare based on the distance you travel.
* 60 minutes applies to all services except the Sydney Ferries F1 Manly service where the standard transfer time is extended to 2 hours and 10 minutes from tap on.
Frequently asked questions Do I still get a concession foil/sticker each year attached to my student card?
Can I use my Concession Opal card as a proof of concession for travel outside the Opal network?
When you have a Concession Opal card you will no longer need a concession foil on your student card.
No, a Concession Opal card isn’t a proof of concession. You need to get a current foil/sticker from your institution to attach to your student card for concession fares outside of the Opal network.
However, if you want to use public transport in NSW that’s outside of the Opal network you still need a current foil/sticker on your Student ID card to confirm your concession eligibility. Ask your tertiary institution if you’d also like a foil/sticker.
Does a Concession Opal card need to have a minimum balance in order to use it? Yes, you need a minimum amount on your Concession Opal card to tap on. For trains it’s $1.18 off-peak and $1.69 peak; for ferries $2.87; and for the Stockton ferry, buses and light rail $1.05. To ensure you can travel, keep your Opal card topped up, or set up auto top up. Can I set auto top up now that I have my card? Yes, you can switch to auto top up at any time by logging into your account at opal.com.au and following the prompts. Alternatively, call Opal Customer Care on 13 67 25 (13 OPAL).
How will I know how much value is left on my Opal card? When you tap on or tap off the Opal card reader will display your balance. You can also log in to your Opal account at opal.com.au to view your Opal balance, or call 13 67 25 (13 OPAL).
What is the minimum top up amount? You can top up your Concession Opal card at an Opal retailer with as little as $5. The minimum top up online or over the phone is $20, which is half the Adult Opal card amount. What is the minimum auto top up amount? The minimum auto top up for Concession Opal cards is $20, which is half the Adult Opal card amount. Can I let another person use my Concession Opal card? No, a Concession Opal card is not transferable and fines may apply for misuse.
Frequently asked questions How long am I entitled to hold a Concession Opal card? It’s valid as long as you remain an eligible tertiary student. When you are no longer an eligible tertiary student, your Concession Opal card will no longer be valid for use. What happens if I forget to tap on or tap off? If you forget to tap on or tap off, a default fare is charged which is the maximum applicable fare for your trip. For Concession Opal card holders the highest possible default fare is $4.15. Default fares do not contribute to the Weekly Travel Reward. Also, if you haven’t tapped on with your Opal card, you’re not
Why am I charged more for trips to the airport? Sydney Airport stations are privately owned by Airport Link Company (ALC). ALC charges an additional fee for access called the Sydney Airport Station Access Fee. This fee is $11.60 for Concession Opal card customers. This is the same fee that’s charged with paper tickets. However, with Opal this fee is capped at $20.50 per week for Concession Opal customers. So, if you travel to the airport regularly, you can save money with Opal. Will transport staff be able to check my Opal card? Yes, revenue protection officers and NSW Police Officers can check your journey information at any time using a portable Opal card reader. Concession Opal cards are not transferable, so you may be asked to prove your identity by showing your student card.
travelling with a valid ticket and can be fined. Default fare amounts are available at opal.com.au How do I check my transaction history? If you log in to your Opal account at opal.com.au you can view your Activity Statement, which contains up to 18 months worth of your travel and transaction history. You can also call 13 67 25 (13 OPAL) and an Opal Customer Care representative can tell you your recent transaction history over the phone.
If I’m changing between trains, ferries, buses, or light rail vehicles do I need to tap off? You should always tap on and tap off every time to ensure you’re travelling with a valid ticket and pay the correct fare. The only exception is if you’re changing trains and don’t need to exit the station to do so. What should I do if my Opal card is lost or stolen? If your Concession Opal card is lost or stolen, report it immediately by calling 13 67 25 (13 OPAL). As long as you report it immediately your Opal balance is protected and can be transferred onto a replacement card. You’ll need to travel with a paper ticket, or Adult Opal card, until your replacement Concession Opal card arrives, usually within 5 to 7 days.
Frequently asked questions What should I do if my Opal card stops working?
How will my personal information be managed?
If your card is damaged or faulty, call 13 67 25 (13 OPAL). An Opal Customer Care representative can order you a new card and transfer the balance to a replacement Opal card. You’ll need to travel with a paper ticket, or Adult Opal card, until your replacement Concession Opal card arrives, usually within 5 to 7 days.
We will handle personal information that we collect about you in accordance with the Opal Privacy Policy, which can be accessed at opal.com.au and has been developed in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.
Your Concession Opal card can stop working if your eligibility status has changed, for example if you no longer study full time. If this is the case you can order an Adult Opal card (and transfer any remaining value from your old card) by calling 13 67 25 (13 OPAL).
The Concession Opal Card
transport made easy Tap into
Tap into Need help?
If you have any questions about Opal it’s easy to find out more. Visit opal.com.au or call Opal Customer Care on 13 67 25 (13 OPAL) 24 hours, 7 days a week. Hearing or speech impaired customers call Opal Customer Care via the National Relay Service on 1300 555 727.
OP262_0115
TTY users, call 133 677.
