NSW Sydney Trains Ticketing System - Old Tickets Have No Plans To Be Phased Out!

This is an interesting response from Opal Customer care. We understand that in other train network ticketing systems the old ticketing countries or rail network of ticketing processes, old tickets cannot be phased out so quickly and the old ticketing system is still sold. Here is the e-mail received by myself: opalcustomercare@opal.com.au	11:27 (12 hours ago)
to me

Dear John,

Thank you for contacting Opal Customer Care.

Opal card will be available at retailers later this year. The station staff will be available to to help customer use their Opal card and educate commuters.

There are no current plans to cease the sale of paper tickets.

Reference Number: 462459

Yours sincerely

Opal Customer Care

Please do not reply to this email.

Should you need to respond, please do so via the Web Enquiry form

found at Opal.com.au/CustomerCare or by calling Opal Customer Care

on 13 67 25 or (13 OPAL) quoting your reference number.

Commuters Still Queuing For Older Tickets In Mount Druitt!

These 2 pictures taken in peak hour at Mount Druitt train station confirms that Opal Cards are not having a big affect in reducing queues for commuters.

We still say that educating people is the important factor and some people do not like automatic change and learning the new technology that goes with it.

We are looking at a way we  can solve these issues and come back to you at a later date as to providing this resolution to the Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs.

Although, this is great for the local Sydney Trains employees in collecting tickets, it  lengths the time that commuters have available time to  catch their trains, loss of sitting down on seats, rushing down the stairs causing potential falls on stairs and platforms.













Click here for previous blog

Opal Cards In Mount Druitt Having Little Affect On Monday & Tuesday Mornings Ticket Window Queuing!

Speaking to a Sydney Trains Transport Officer advised myself that according to  commuter queues at Mount Druitt train station on Monday and Tuesday Morning the queues are getting bigger and longer, that means two possible things, according to local studies:

• That public transport commuters are still purchasing the old  ticketing system as they are concession card ticket holders and they will have to wait until the appropriate Opal electronic ticketing system is launched. Click Here For the Youth/Children Opal Cards
• There has been an increase in  new  people becoming public transport Sydney Trains Commuters.

So far, Opal card cannot be purchased at any Sydney Trains train station only Newsagents and  authorised agent retailers.

I still say it is hard to educate everyone to use this system, unless proper promotion , via  delivering mail to each resident in Mount Druitt, Greater Sydney and Sydney. What do you think?

Lifts At Mount Train Station Are Closed For Upgrading!

For commuters at Mount Druitt, the lights at Mount Druitt will be upgraded, they will be done one lift at a time and should be completed within a few weeks. They are waiting for parts to arrive to provide the upgrade.

So we suggest that all commuters be patient, until they are fully maintained and ready to work!

This Happened To Commuters In Mount Druitt - New electronic Signs Not Working!

This has happened to Mount Druitt train Station, with  the new electronic signs provided. The back up was the  PA announcements that the local Station Assistants use which is automated and can be manual announcements!

It didn't happen recently it happened a while ago.  We all get used to the new technology and as we do we have to deal with technical failures or issues, it is something in life we may have to get used too!

NSW For Transport Opal Cards - A Great Improvement For The Community!

The NSW Governments introduction of a major overhaul of the states public transport ticketing system is gradually been implemented and can be seen as a great improvement for Mount Druitt, Western Sydney and Sydney.

In fact it is showing  that what is being done now could have been done by previous NSW Governments. Every member of the current State Government should be proud of this wonderful electronic ticketing system that will  be serving extensively on multi-modes of public transport. No more wasting time for change to purchasing fares, queuing up minutes on minutes for tickets. To be fair, cost factors may have prevented this to occur. The current NSW for Transport Minister, Gladys Berejiklian is leading the new revolution in making life easier with ticket purchasing and travelling on  public transport, providing this sweeping new technological change.

The Opal card at present only allows a commuter with a credit card or debit to purchase  and be issued with a card, currently for western Sydneysiders  to use this facility on the Sydney Trains Network -  ( T1 Line - for Mount Druitt commuters being launched as from 28th February 2014).  For myself, I will have to wait in line as I personally do not believe in credit/master/debit card for fear of fraud and believe in the old saving accounts. Although, I might be in the minority of commuters, the opportunity will come for myself to purchase a card paying cash at local stores and I believe Woolworth Stores, later on before the end of year. The only problem is I would be saving $3.60 per week on the new Opal card and because I prefer paying cash I will not be able to save  money as per other commuters, yet I understand the Opal Card is being introduced in different stages. Maybe the NSW Government could look at reducing the currently weekly tickets to match Opal weekly tickets for a temporary time until cash is accepted in Mount Druitt, Western Sydney. This is just a request!


My only concern is if a commuter forgets to tap on or go on and is charged   a default fare up to $8.10 on trains - this needs to be explained to commuters. What happens is there is a malfunction with the Electronic Ticketing System - will commuters be charged a default charge?

Mount Druitt Is Part Of Opal Card in Western Sydney For Trains Only

This is good news for Mount Druitt and for other train stations in Mount Druitt. 'Tap & Go' is the way to go!

The new electronic ticketing system called 'Opal Card' is being launched in Mount Druitt as from 28th February 2014. Are you ready for it, let us know. Mount will join the modern technological age of easy travelling. let's us hear about what you have to say? 

I don't know about you but I am excited!


Click Here for Opal Card details

Mount Druitt Trial Of The Opal Cards Coming Soon On Multi Tickets!

Trial Tap & Go Electronic Ticketing Machine
at Mount Druitt train station

Well  we need to prepare ourselves on the new Opal Card ( Electronic Ticketing System) that Sydney Trains is releasing on their network. Is everyone ready for it?

They will be so easy to use 'Tap and Go'! How's that?

You will have to apply for them?
Click Here to Apply For an Opal Card

Although it is not advertising or pamphlets provided to commuters at Mount Druitt train station - it appears it will be  later on in the year as per   NSW for TRansport Opal Press Releases so far - click here

As from Today Public Transport Fares Increases 2014!

As public Transport  users, we all understand that  public transport fares increases, in line with CPI increases (with a few exceptions). In my  many years of catching public transport, I have never known a NSW Government that has reduced any  trains or bus fares. Heaven knows this could happen one day.

A of today we will have to pay extra fares except pensioner excursions, family fun days and Opal Card Owners

Click Here For Public Transport Fare Increases Prices!

Gladys Berejiklian announces rise in fares on trains, buses and ferries next year

• THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
• DECEMBER 12, 2013 1:39PM

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian has announced an increase in public transport fares from January 5.

STATE Government rail, bus and ferry fares will rise on January 5 next year, Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian announced today.

MyZone fares on Sydney Trains and Sydney Buses will rise, on average, in line with the current inflation rate, about 2 per cent, Ms Berejiklian said.

The rise is below the 2.6 per cent recommended maximum rise for buses in Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast, Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley made last month by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Buses 'every 10 minutes' for Sydney

Last year IPART recommended a maximum rise in train fares of 3.8 per cent for 2014.

Ms Berejiklian said the cost of travel for commuters using the new Opal electronic ticketing system will remain unchanged.

Sydney Buses will raise some fares from early next year. Source: News Limited

However, some rail journeys on MyZone tickets will rise by as much as 5.5 per cent. A single fare on a short rail journey will move from $3.60 to $3.80.

A current rail weekly costing $60, such as those for people travelling to the city from Newcastle and Wollongong, will increase to $61 - a change of just 1.6 per cent.

A short bus journey will increase by 10c to $2.30.

The cheapest adult bus TravelTen will go up by 4.5 per cent from $17.60 to $18.40 while the $36.80 "TravelTen 3" will not change.

On Sydney Ferries, short single journeys will rise from $5.80 to $6. A TravelTen on the Manly ferry will jump by 2.7 pe cent to $59.20.

Rough waters may be ahead for ferry passengers who are also facing fare increases. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

Ms Berejiklian said the State Government is keeping increases in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as part of its commitment to keep prices low.

"We have always said that fares will only increase in line with CPI until there are demonstrable improvements in customer service, and while we are seeing a significant change for the better, we believe there is still work to do."

There will be no changes to the $2.50 pensioner excursion tickets or Family Funday Sunday tickets.

Ms Berejiklian said from January 5, Opal card holders can save up to 13 per cent more on adult fares compared to MyZone paper tickets. There had been criticism from commuters that for some journeys, the Opal card was proving more expensive

It Appears That Transport For NSW May Be Looking To Upgrade Mount Druitt Train Station....

The other week I spotted  two NSW for Transport officers at Mount Druitt train station checking out the train station and taking down details of the current train station.

They could have been engineers: One man was doing the measuring and description, whilst the other young man had a PC tablet and was being a 'walking secretary' as he was just typing up what ever the the man suggested.

Do you think it would be  good to  have Mount Druitt train station upgraded and updated?

No 'Shitty Trains' Required In Afternoon!

The other day I spoke to Santiago from Oakhurst, travels  by car to Mount Druitt Commuters Car Park and then by Sydney Trains to North Sydney.

'Shitty Trains' are available in summer on  very hot days and they are not comfortable journey's. This is caused by by 'stinky people' that don't look after their body odor  which affects his nose  (which is sensitive to smelling).

The morning train services are provided with new train carriages, with older train carriages in the afternoon, this is when he  tends to suffer with this condition - when you get a sudden putrid smell, this can cause further stress from the work you have carried out during the day as the train carriage becomes  uncomfortable, hot sweating & sticky.  

What is required is newer train services in the afternoon, which is important, with air circulating with air conditioning, rather than open windows bringing heat all throughout the journey, it makes you more refreshing especially if you are going to meet someone or  meeting more people!

Check out website for 'Shitty Rail'

More Security To Feel More Secure -Mount Druitt Commuter!

Just over a week ago Shireen from Mount Druitt travels from Mount Druitt to Parramatta and return using Sydney Trains.

Requires more security sometime to feel more secure anytime. There should be more security  patrolling more trains in each way  Shireen travels on trains. Would like to them patrolling at least 3 times per week: this would mean less hurt to people travelling at commuters and more people would be  encouraged to  catch more trains, therefor leaving less cars on the road.

Commuter Left Standing - No One Gives Up Their Seats For The Elderly!

Brian from Whalan catches Sydney Trains from Mount Druitt to Central train stations claims from his experience Melbourne has train services every 5 minutes, better on time running service.

On one Sunday the train heading back to Mount Druitt was running 20 minutes late and then announcement was made at Central train station that there was a further waiting time of thirty minutes. By the the time the train arrived, it was chock-a-block full, his wife and himself got a seat.

Standing up on trains is an issue for him, more carriages or more train services required. He is over fifty years no one lets him sit down  or even his wife. Young ones should let him  and/or his wife sit down. Compulsory publicity should be provided by through the media. IT is just plain old common sense, when he was a kid he was giving seats up for the elderly.

Happy To Travel In 'Peaceful' Public Transport Country!

Siwa from Mount Druitt (originally from Sri Lanka), travels by Sydney Trains to Toongabbie and return.

Siwa arrived in Australia on a boat from Sri Lanka in Darwin, Northern Territory and was held for 15 days. He is very thankful to the Australian Government  for the provision of food, water, medical, sports activities and also English classes.

He is now  working as a cleaner and is seeking to extend his stay in Australia. He has left his country behind eighteen months ago, with one wife and 4 children: aged 18 16 14 and 9 (3 daughters and 1 son). He has lost his housing with flooding in Sri Lanka and  one of his daughters has been shot by men is his country. He does believe in 'Peace' not 'War-torn' Countries!

Thus he is so happy travelling in public transport in Australia in such a peaceful country!

Off-Peak Train Services - Require More Security On Journeys!

Just on a week ago, I met Rick who is moving with his wife  from Doonside to Ropes Crossing - catches  Busways bus 750 and 761 to Doonside from Mount Druitt, also Sydney trains to Doonside and Penrith.

With trains he finds a lot of people are doing anti-social  behaviors: like shouting and making trains dirty on off-peak times. He would like to see more improvements in these areas by expressing comments and concerns (like providing information to myself, so I can publish more blogs), which the NSW Government and Public transport stake holders take note and provide further improvements.

He has notice the the new train carriages that he has been travelling on, are quite comfortable but hardly any safety/security officers are present so far to be seen on these journeys.

In other countries if you are caught vandalising trains, you have to financially pay for the damage. There is no deterrent to kerb bad behaviour and things like that happening , except  to pay for it!
If these are fixed there will be  more commuters catching trains.

Possible Future Of Mount Druitt Train Station!

My vision of Mount Druitt Bus Interchange for the future is  probably going to shock you. Yet, as I have been growing up, I have developed a belief for the future. A belief that forward thinking is required to cater for our future and our children future and so on.

A lot of people that  know myself knows that I was born and lived in Eastern Suburbs of Sydney for a majority of my life, so far. I have lived in many suburbs in Eastern Suburbs from Paddington, Bondi Beach, Bronte, Bondi, Bondi Junction and Kingsford. I remember how the built up housing areas were basically single dwelling housing or terrace style housing and some places had 4 - 6 stories of units.

Now, when I look at these places some have turned to high rise residential dwelling to median residential dwelling.  So it has changed from being comfortable living to  becoming overcrowding and not  to forget to add 'Property Expensive'.  After years of living  in Mount Druitt and within the Greater Western Sydney, I will not be moved  to move outside the area and would feel uncomfortable to live in the Eastern Suburbs - otherwise known ''Not in my comfort zone'!

Yet people that live out Eastern and South Eastern Suburbs are prone for more higher development to happen, as developers buy up resident blocks and  create high rise living areas. Some areas have not had  sudden increases in density dwellings but in time the demand will outweigh the supply of land to crease the density dwellings.

There will be a bigger push out west to increase residential dwellings from single to median density and then later, high density density dwellings (hopefully not in my lifetime)! So how does one think  Town Planners will plan for Mount Druitt, this is easy!

 High rise  residential housing  over Mount Druitt train station and all other trains along the  North Shore/ Western Line T1. You may not think it is impossible, yet it  is happening in Sydney - here is a  picture of Bondi Junction bus interchange: The train station is underground and high rise development dwellings right on top of the bus interchange. Also there is Edgecliff train station as well. So what ever happens out East will happen out  West!

Bondi Junction Bus Interchange could be the vision
for Mount Druitt train station future

The entrance to Edgecliff train station

No East or West Electronic Indicator Boards In Mount Druitt!

Check out Commuters on West side
(Pictured left)
 of Platform - No electronic  indicators

We have discussed before on previous blogs how have one one set of electronic indicator boards on Mount Druitt platforms will not cover all commuters that are stand and waiting for the next train on the spread out platform.

While we appreciate having one set other train stations have 3 sets, one  east, one west and one in the middle. In Mount Druitt train 
station we have no East or West electronic indicator boards which is required and vital to cover all commuters.

Especially when Mount Druitt train station will be a major junction train station, when the 2nd Stage or the North-West Rail Link is completed.

Great Public Transport Add At Mount Druitt Train Station!

A few months ago this add appeared on the Billboards at Mount Druitt train station  this is a great way to advertise and get more people on the trains but it was facing commuters  who were already  travelling on public transport:

More Trains At Mount Druitt Stopping And Less IN Smaller Train Stations - Shalvey Commuter!

Well how will public transport improve for the future is very simple. We need to talk to our neighbours, families, friends politicians,  business owners, workers, retirees, young, middle aged people, all politicians, all transport workers, NSW government  representatives and importantly.......................commuters!

So as I take time out to talk to all commuters available to speak to myself, then comes the ideas, suggestions and motions to change public transport services and/or infrastructure  to be improved and better. It is the old Australian saying, ' Have a go mate!'

If we are giving the opportunity to have a  'say' or 'go' then comes  the power to spread your own idea. I am so proud of each commuter that has spoken to me, they are the real people that can change public transport , they way they want to have it.

So a man called Shuai from Shalvey travels by car to Mount Druitt and parks in a car park, from there he travels by Sydney Trains  from Mount Druitt to Central.

he is pretty satisfied with the new time table changes. He has been travelling for  8-9 years and for him the new time tables are better for Mount Druitt commuters as more trains are stopping and less trains stop at smaller train stations like Wentworthville. 

Before the new time table changes, more trains stopped at smaller train stations. Suggestions are that commuters catching trains with reduced stopping trains may not be that that happy, yet he does agree it is hard to the NSW Government to please everyone!

 The ideal situation would be subway trains all around sydney arriving every 5 minutes,  at every train station. This will please everyone maybe  not being that realistic.

With buses he doesn't catch 755 Busways bus early in the mornings as  to catch the Sydney Train at Mount Druitt around 7 am, he would need  to leave home at 6.10 am - walk for 20 minutes to get the bus at Shalvey. He leaves home at 6.30am drives his car to the car park at Mount Druitt as he finds it more efficient and more reliable than catching the bus.

Editors Notes: So this is a good example where the commuter is prepared to catch trains because of the  services provided and because of the services provided by Busways  buses  the commuter does not find it attractive to catch. It goes back to have better bus services on the 755 bus service, every 15 minutes,  back to what it was before, a few years ago!

More Electronic Indicators on Train Carriages - Ropes Crossing Commuter

A few days ago, Eish from from Ropes Crossing travels by private car to St Marys and then Sydney Trains from St Marys to Blacktown and return.

This Singapore Train carriage,
the lights
 light up as you
reach the train station

She would improvements to be made on inside trains, where there should be electronic indicators, displayed on each end and level of carriages. 

In Singapore all trains have electronic indicators. She knows of people arriving from Singapore to Sydney Australia and when they were using Sydney Trains, they didn't understand train announcements along the journey. 

This was a one-off train trip to Lidcome where she works, normally she drives a car to work - claims she would use public transport, except to her it is expensive!