NSW public transport Opal network is set to change. Here's what we know

The NSW public transport Opal network is set to change. Here's what we knowSBy Shannon CorvoTopic:Public Transport6h ago6 hours agoTue 28 Apr 2026 at 3:36amThe New South Wales transport network will undergo a major overhaul. (ABC News: Liam Patrick)In short:Cheaper fares, digital cards and real-time information upgrades to the New South Wales public transport network have been announced by the state government.The Opal 2.0 project, costing $820 million, is being called the "biggest overhaul" since the system began 13 years ago.What's next?Passengers will say goodbye to their plastic Opal cards in favour of a digital system, with project completion expected in 2028.abc.net.au/news/nsw-changes-opal-card-public-transport-digital-accounts/106615510Link copiedShareShare articleDigital cards, new Opal readers, real-time information and the end of "phantom buses" are being flagged as part of planned changes to the New South Wales public transport network.The $820 million project, dubbed Opal 2.0, is expected to improve the experience of passengers and make services more predictable.The state government has called it the "biggest overhaul" of the ticketing system since its rollout 13 years ago.The new tap and pay stations. (Supplied: Transport for NSW/INIT)NSW Transport Secretary Josh Murray said the changes meant passengers would have to say goodbye to the plastic Opal card they "know and love"."It [the Opal card system] has been a fantastic upgrade in its time for Sydney, but just like the Blackberry, or the Blu-ray player which were invented at the same time, they've done their job," he said.Minister for Transport John Graham said the digital upgrade would be a "major step up" for passengers."Opal's been in place for 13 years in Sydney, but it was built on London's Oyster technology — now that's nearly 30 years old," he said."Some of the changes are that you will have much greater information in real time about what your fare is, what you've just been charged, how busy your service is, if there's an interruption to the network."About 25,000 new Opal readers will replace existing machines across rail, metro, bus, light rail and ferries. (ABC News: Nick Dole)How your travel will changeThe announced upgrades include:Digital Opal cards that can be added to your deviceNew and improved Opal travel appFaster and more accurate patronage data to warn how busy onboard an upcoming service will beAutomatic fare adjustment if an incorrect amount is chargedInformation screens on 5,000 busesAbility for event-goers to scan the QR code on their ticket at an Opal reader to access free transportContractors will install 25,000 new Opal readers across rail, metro, bus, light rail and ferries, replacing the machines passengers have "tapped on" to for more than a decade.The project also includes the previously announced weekly fare caps.Adults will be capped at $50, Concessions and Child/Youth at $25 and a daily $2.50 cap for Senior/Pensioner travellers.Passengers will also be able to access their reduced fares through contactless technology, which the state government said would impact 1 million customers.German company INIT Pty Ltd will deliver the Account Based Ticketing system and Trapeze Group will design the bus transport technology.NSW passengers will be able to use a digital account to pay for their fares, which will replace plastic Opal cards. (Supplied: Transport for NSW/INIT)The end of 'phantom buses'NSW Premier Chris Minns said the changes would…

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