Timeline:
Since late 2012, the greater Sydney area has been using Opal, a contactless, smartcard fare collection system, for its public transport services.
From 7 December 2012 to 1 December 2014, the Opal system was gradually introduced across all ferry, train, bus and light rail services. By 1 August 2016 it fully replaced previously used paper tickets. Subsequently, the Opal ticketing system has been adopted across the L2 and L3 light rail lines and Sydney Metro Network.
To date, over 4.5 billion trips have been made using Opal, with contactless payment options introduced in 2017. Further updates applied between 2022 and 2023 have enabled faster and easier payments, including the addition of Express Mode for digital wallets on Samsung and Apple devices.
In June 2022, the Opal Next Generation Ticketing System project (hereafter ‘ONG’) was announced, with a budget of $568 million allocated for its completion by 2026. The project is currently open for tender, with various companies competing for the major bid, as the current Opal contract expires in September 2026.
Project Aim:
ONG aims to modernize the current ticketing system, allowing commuters to replace their physical Opal (or bank) cards with digital cards on their smartphones and wearable devices.
Kurt Brissett, the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer of Transport for NSW iterates that ‘new hardware and technology will help ensure the… system remains reliable, resilient and [able to] integrate with [future]… technologies.’
ONG also endeavors to offer commuters greater flexibility in fare payment, enabling them to plan end-to-end journeys that combine public, private and active transport, and make more informed choices about personalized travel options.
Additionally, ONG intends to improve commuters’ experiences by simplifying trip planning and management, streamlining account top-ups, and providing real-time information via an updated mobile app and website.
Project Features Overview:
Key features of ONG include:
- The installation of 25,000 new electronic readers at stations, buses, light rail and ferries, following system upgrades;
- Unified concession rates and day travel discounts (including travel caps) across a digital portfolio, accommodating different bank cards used by commuters;
- Dynamic pricing options; and
- A redesigned transport app (Mobility as a Service app) with multi-modal trip planning, known as Opal Plus.
Summary:
Though ONG is not scheduled for completion until 2026, it is poised to enhance the future of transportation across the greater Sydney region, benefiting both current and future passengers.
If you or someone you know wish to discuss this development further, then please do not hesitate to contact us on 02 8999 9809.