Opal increase undermines fairness

BY MICHAEL FORNO

Dozens of public transport users rallied on Tuesday against the Baird Government’s changes to the Opal system.

From September 5, Opal Card users are due to face a number of changes in how their fares are charged.

The most controversial of these is the removal of the weekly travel reward, which gives commuters free travel after taking 8 paid journeys each week. The NSW Government has decided to replace this free travel with a period of half-price travel.

In May, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) handed down its report More Efficient, More Integrated Opal Fares to the state government in which it contends that fare increases will save operating costs, thus removing the need to cover costs through tax revenue.

The removal of the weekly travel reward has concerned many, including Mehreen Faruqi, NSW Upper House MP and Greens spokesperson for Transport.

She addressed the rally on Tuesday outside State Parliament and demanded the government back down on the changes to Opal.

“This government views public transport users as customers, not as citizens. Transport must be affordable and accessible. This is an issue of social justice, this is a right of every single citizen of New South Wales,” she said.

Dr Faruqi also opposes the construction of the WestConnex toll road and argues that public funds would be better spent on public transport.

“If they spent a fraction of what they are on WestConnex on public transport that would mean cheaper fares and extra services in peak times,” she said.

Pauline Lockie, head of the WestConnex Action Group, whose home is being forcibly demolished to make way for WestConnex construction, shared Dr Faruqi’s view.

“We know that Mike Baird wants to throw another three billion dollars of our money at WestConnex on top of the nearly two billion he’s put into it already,” she said.

“We could create a better city for everybody if we stop WestConnex and build a truly world class public transport system for Sydney instead, and keep Opal fares fair for everyone.”

“While some of us make a choice to use public transport, there are many of us who don’t have any other option,’ she said.

Ahmed Suhaib is an international student who depends on affordable public transport.

“International students face rampant exploitation in the workforce, poor living conditions and an increasingly expensive rental market. They work to pay for their food and rent and live far away from university because the housing options closer to campus are limited and expensive,” he said.

“These students rely on public transport to get to university and to work. For them, free travel after 8 trips means they can afford to travel to university and work,” he said.

Apart from facing increased living costs, Mr Suhaib believes students are also being socially marginalised and forced out of the city.

“If the lockout laws weren’t bad enough you’ve given students another reason to not come to the city,” he said.

“University degrees are stressful and it’s essential for students to take a break and enjoy life. They have been exploring the beautiful city of Sydney on their weekends and doing it free of charge. With the proposed changes, they’ll no longer be travelling,” he said.

Dr Faruqi’s final invocation to the rally was succinct.

“We have two and a half thousand signatures on our petition asking the Baird government to keep these free fares. We need you to get on the phone and add your name to that petition. We need to save free Opal travel,” she said.