Cost relief for commuters in Parramatta
Liberal candidate for Parramatta Katie Mullens welcomes the announcement that a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will provide commuters with a yearly saving of up to $480 by cutting the weekly Opal cap by 20 per cent, putting more money back in the pockets of hardworking families.
Under the plan, the weekly adult cap will be cut from $50 to $40, while the cap for concession holders will be cut from $25 to $20.
“This is a direct saving for all commuters that is putting money back into the pockets of the people of Parramatta,” Ms Mullens said.
“Locals of the Parramatta electorate are among those that stand to save the most and its all thanks to the Perrottet Liberal Government’s long term economic plan that will keep Parramatta and NSW moving forward.”
Premier Dominic Perrottet said this would make a big difference to family budgets, putting more money back in their pockets for other weekly essentials.
“We recognise there are significant household budget pressures right now and that is why we will deliver significant cost relief for commuters,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We will slash the weekly caps on public transport fares by 20 per cent, putting more money back in the pockets of hard working families.
“For the average commuter who hits the cap every week and works 11 months of the year, this could provide up to $480 in transport cost relief.
“Commuters will be able to travel across the entire transport network – on our ferries, trains, metro, buses and light rail services – as many times as they like without paying more than $40 a week, while students and concession holders will only pay $20 a week.
“This will deliver more than a thousand dollars’ worth of savings to some families who rely on public transport for their daily commute.
“Families in Sydney west stand to save the most, with commuters travelling from Penrith to the city by train for example to hit the cap on Wednesday morning instead of Thursday, saving them a whole day of fares.
“Only a Liberal Government will cut the cost of travel thanks to our long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.”
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said if re-elected a Liberal Government would introduce the discount from May this year.
“The weekly savings on public transport fares will put cash back in the pockets of everyone who uses public transport regularly - for a family of two adults and 2 kids, this could mean an annual saving of nearly $1,400 a year in the household budget,” Mr Elliott said.
“The reduced cap means Adult Opal card commuters will save $10 a week or $480 a year (based on 48 weeks of travel).
“The Child/Youth and Concession weekly Opal cap will also be reduced from the current $25 cap to $20 – a saving of $5 a week or $200 a year (based on 40 weeks travel for school/tertiary education).”
The weekly travel caps would be in place on all trains, metros, buses, light rail and ferries from 1 May 2023 to 30 June 2024 and would apply when you travel with an Opal card or credit card, debit card or linked device on public transport in the Opal network.
This weekly travel discount is yet another commitment a re-elected Liberal Government will deliver to help ease cost of living pressures for families.
It is in addition to $7 billion already delivered in cost of living measures including more than 70 rebates, like our $250 energy rebate, toll relief program, small business rebate, our active kids and creative kids vouchers, regional seniors travel card, first lap swim vouchers, solar for low income households program and more.
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