Talk:Opal card

Additional Fare Tables
I'm more of a visual person so have created two new templates as possible additions to the page

I think these would make the overall fares clearer to international visitors than the wall of text. But probably also needs some edits to bring up the Transfer Discount and Half-Fare caps. Given its a reasonably significant layout change posting it here first.

I also wonder with the launch of contactless that the article intro should be about the Opal Card System, with the Opal Card being one option, albeit the major one, although note that Oyster card has a similar issue Moa999 (talk) 06:49, 18 July 2017 (UTC)

Supported - It certainly clarifies the current fare layout. It may still be a bit premature for me to comment on the contactless situation. Fleet Lists (talk) 07:14, 19 July 2017 (UTC)

Changes made, along with a couple of other flow-on edits. I've also brought up the other key discounts. Moa999 (talk) 03:47, 25 July 2017 (UTC)

Transfer Fare
The definition of a transfer varies for each mode of transport and it is absent from the OPAL website. Here is what is currently happening:


 * Trains: transfers only allowed at the same station or at stations within the "City" designator (CBD stations plus Central and Kings Cross). Up to three transfers (four trips per journey). Transfer is from tap off to tap on, 60min.


 * Ferries: no transfers at all, except at Circular Quay. Attempted transfers at other wharves result in a new fare /new journey. Transfer is from tap on to tap on, 60 min except the Manly ferries (130 min)


 * Light rail: transfer can occur at the station of tap off plus two additional stations in each direction. Maximum two transfers (three trips per journey). Transfer is from tap off to tap on, 60 min


 * Buses: transfers always allowed, regardless of location, up to three (four trips per journey). Transfer is from tap off to tap on, 60 min

Change of mode: transfer always recorded (to your detriment, as you are charged a new fare on the new mode)"end of unsigned contribution from 118.211.200.137"


 * Reply


 * If you feel this is warranted, it is suggested you add it. But as has been said before transfer for ferries is from tap off to tap on and from tap on to tap on as for other modes except for the Manly Ferry.


 * I believe a general statement that a transfer is from tap off to tap on (60 minutes) except for Manly Ferries where it is from tap on to tap on (130 minutes) would suffice rather than repeat it for every mode of transport.


 * And in the last sentence "transfer always recorded" should read "transfers not allowed"Fleet Lists (talk) 21:14, 13 December 2014 (UTC)

I am editing this as per the suggestions :)


 * Trains: transfers only allowed at the same station or at stations within the "City" designator (CBD stations plus Central and Kings Cross). Up to three transfers (four trips per journey).


 * Ferries: no transfers at all, except at Circular Quay. Attempted transfers at other wharves result in a new fare /new journey.


 * Light rail: transfer can occur at the station of tap off plus two additional stations in each direction. Maximum two transfers (three trips per journey).


 * Buses: transfers always allowed, regardless of location, up to three (four trips per journey).

Change of mode: transfers not allowed between different modes of transport (e.g. bus to train)

Duration of transfer: transfer is from tap off to tap on (60 minutes), except for Manly Ferries where it is from tap on to tap on (130 minutes) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 118.211.200.137 (talk) 00:07, 14 December 2014 (UTC)

As mentioned previously you have the power to make those additions to the page - leaving it here does not achieve much.Fleet Lists (talk) 01:32, 14 December 2014 (UTC)

Done thx ;) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 118.211.200.137 (talk) 06:41, 14 December 2014 (UTC)

Contested deletion
This article should not be speedy deleted as having no substantive content, because it is currently under construction - I am not too sure how to place an under construction template within the article--Mw12310 (talk) 19:01, 13 September 2011 (UTC)


 * I have removed the speedy deletion and associated tags and have left the 'newpage' tag now that the article has content. Feel free to remove 'newpage' when you're ready. Happy editing, Baffle gab1978 (talk) 19:51, 13 September 2011 (UTC)

Copy vio & COI
I have reverted an edit by as seen. First off, it was a large slab of text added to the lead, then I noted it was unreferenced, and finally that it is almost word for word from http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/opal. Note also that a Kate Kelly is "Media & Public Affairs Officer at Transport for NSW" see LinkedIn, so I AGF but Conflict of interest seems possible. - 220  of  Borg 07:56, 25 November 2012 (UTC)

Image requested
It appears that an employee of Transport for NSW has uploaded some of the stock Opal images to Commons and included them in the article. As they are copyrighted by Transport for NSW, we can't use them and I've nominated them for deletion. However, I don't see why someone in Sydney couldn't take some similar photos and release them under a free licence, now that the card is being trialled in the city (I would, but I'm in Canberra).

Malfunction and glitches
The Sydney Bus network has a high amount of Opal readers clapping out and not working despite it being relatively new system compared to London Oyster the rate of relability is very low compared to other contact smartcard readers in Australia and globally. http://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/motoring/you-can-be-fined-550-for-not-buying-a-ticket-even-if-the-only-machine-to-do-so-is-broken/news-story/f33e5f5cc17ba06061266f9ded5ce646 is happening on Light Rail too

http://busexpress.com.au/media-coverage-still-fails-to-uncover-opal-truth/ https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/opal-card-is-losing-millions-with-readers-malfunctioning-on-buses/news-story/7d03f5331b7d2a2c69626f9761486667 the numbers must be higher than what the network wants to claim as I travel on buses weekly I'd say 15% don't have working Opal readers still in 2018.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/opal-card-reader-breakdowns-worst-on-buses-report-finds-20151119-gl2qzr.html http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-01/free-buses-in-sydney-as-drivers-turn-off-opal-card-machines/8579032

website pretty bad too: https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nsw-opal-card-suffers-system-website-crashes-390075 also been media talk of corruption and cronyism in the tender bidding...

Dubious
The statement that the Opal Card will be rolled out on the Main South Line - is this right? the Main South Line has been cut, there are no longer regular commuter services going all the way from Strathfield to Liverpool via Regent's Park, it seems strange that the Opal Card would be rolled out on a line that is no longer used. --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 10:40, 9 December 2013 (UTC)

COI disclaimer
I'm the creator of opalornot.com, but I trust the referenced SMH article qualifies as a notable & reliable source. Jpatokal (talk) 22:47, 9 March 2014 (UTC)

Fares and usage
The "Debate" section was not particularly NPOV, with "obviously", "few customers", "some bloggers", etc. I've rewritten it as the more neutral "Fares", trying to lay out a) what the main characteristics and differences to the MyZone system are, and b) why various people are unhappy about Opal, including cites to reputable sources for all claims. Please fix or add if you think I missed something.

Also, I believe Opal or Not has passed the threshold for notability after being featured in the SMH, ABC, Channel 7 etc, but I have added TfNSW's opinion of the site and their own figures. Jpatokal (talk) 12:42, 27 March 2014 (UTC)

price of card
How much does an empty card cost? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.169.156.249 (talk) 06:55, 21 April 2014 (UTC)
 * Free. Marcnut1996 (talk) 07:50, 21 April 2014 (UTC)

/* Fares */ Split LR fares as sep mode
I split the Bus and Light Rail fares into separate boxes as they are distinct modes. This change was reversed by User:Gareth with comment "undo split of bus & LR - fares are the same and will be calculated across modes from 2019"

As noted there is no transfer benefit until 2019 (if there are not changes to the fare system before then. There is no 8+km zone for LR IT is confusing and suggests you might get a free Bus/LR transfer.

Suggest reverting the split, and if it changes in 2019 things can be combined then. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Moa999 (talk • contribs) 03:59, 17 January 2015 (UTC) As the same fares apply to both now I can not see the need to have separate tables included for the two modes. The one table with the heading for both suffices as far as I am concerned.Fleet Lists (talk) 04:06, 17 January 2015 (UTC)

Fare tables template - proposed deletion
Please see this discussion https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2017_December_22#Opal_fares

(I'm somewhat unsure why only 2 of the 5 tables used have been listed) Moa999 (talk) 09:13, 27 December 2017 (UTC)

Links
An attempt to add links to certain organisations and an event has been reversed on the basis that they breach WP:OVERLINK policy. Seems this has been an ongoing edit war for a couple of years. For mine all are valid and can see no reason not to link. The sections they are in are not exactly overburdened with links, or certainly less so than other parts of the article. Seems to be a case of somebody wanting to make a point. Donrownski (talk) 05:34, 29 November 2018 (UTC)
 * The point I have repeatedly attempted to make is: WP:OVERLINK cautions against allowing articles to be be burdened with links of extremely limited relevance and utility. The section says, "A good question to ask yourself is whether reading the article you're about to link to would help someone understand the article you are linking from." Articles about courts, universities and sporting events have no relevance to this article; the names of these things are simply mentioned in passing. I have yet to see any justification for including the links, except for the implied reasoning that a link should be made simply because it can be made - exactly the sort of thing WP:OVERLINK says is undesirable. Gareth (talk) 17:24, 29 November 2018 (UTC)

Commons files used on this page or its Wikidata item have been nominated for deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons files used on this page or its Wikidata item have been nominated for deletion: Participate in the deletion discussion at the. —Community Tech bot (talk) 11:33, 8 October 2020 (UTC)
 * Adult opal card.jpg
 * OpalSchoolCard.jpg
 * Sydney Opal Card (single trip), 2016.jpg

Top up machines section
Does anyone happen to have info/pictures to add on the newer black top up machines at the recently opened stations such as on the metro and the LR? Fork99 (talk) 10:25, 14 January 2021 (UTC)