MyZone ticketing for light rail

There won’t be any new bells or whistles needed to make the sound of trundling trams more attractive to transport users in the inner-west.

Starting June 27, Sydney’s solo light rail route will fall under the MyZone ticketing fare structure for commuters who use multiple transport modes.

Sydneysiders using MyMulti Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly passes or Pensioner excursion or Family Funday Sunday passes will no longer need to purchase an additional ticket when travelling on the privately-owned transport service.

Commuters will have their tickets checked the old-fashioned way. The conductor will inspect tickets once passengers have boarded the tram and will print a paper slip so that MyZone tickets do not have to be repeatedly flashed on the same run to or from the city.

Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian announced last week that integrating light rail with the rest of Sydney’s transport network will mean “less hassle for commuters who want access to all modes of public transport in Sydney on one ticket.”

City News understands that the trams will have electronic ticketing systems installed when it is rolled out over the rest of Sydney’s transport network. But for now there will be no ticket dipping machines or swipe gates.

But not everyone is set to benefit from the change in fare structure. Students have not been included in the new arrangement.

Member for Balmain Jamie Parker said students missing out still leaves too many buses on crowded streets.

“We welcome the changes they’ve made but for some students it’s a real problem,” said Mr Parker. “Light rail should be an option for them.”

Ecotransit Sydney Convenor Gavin Gatenby said student concessions would be even more important once the Dulwich Hill track extension is completed.

“When the extension to Dulwich Hill is finished there will be something like 25 schools within walking distance of the line,” Mr Gatenby said.

Mr Gatenby said he was aware the Department of Transport had a service to and from Central each day for one school in the inner west that was only 100 metres from the light rail line.

“It’s relatively crazy and buses are tied up doing that when they could be going and doing other things,” he said.

By Simon Anderson