Get the most out of the OPAL CARD

LVIN16 on 03/06/2014 - 16:16

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to find out if anyone is aware of the below, I have been doing this for few weeks now and it
is good savings for me… My fare is around $42.84 a week (Daily ($6.30 + $4.41) x 4 Days) from Glenfield to St James stations.

Few rules about using the opal card before I mention other details…

  1. After the first 8 trips it's free for the week. Even on ferries and buses with opal card
  2. You can travel to multiple station within an hour for a single fare, i.e Town Hall to St James and Martin Place to Central etc will be $2.31 (off-peak).
  3. The max you will ever get charged per day is $15

My way of saving money is to complete three trips a Day as per below.

DAY Morning Lunch Time Home Time
Monday: $4.41 $2.31 $6.30
Tuesday: $4.41 $2.31 $6.30
Wednesday: $4.41 $2.31 FREE
Thursday: FREE FREE FREE
Friday: FREE FREE FREE

Total Cost per Week: $32.76
Savings per Week : $10.08

Hope this helps anyone out there who wants to save money in the Sydney area using the opal card… This only works out for people who live outside > 35k from the destination station.

Thanks,

Vin

Travel

Related Stores

Opal Card - NSW Government
Opal Card - NSW Government

Comments

  • meowmeowmeow on 03/06/2014 - 16:25

    Why is your ticket price different in the morning and on the way home? Are you travelling off peak on the way to work?

    • retiredfeline on 03/06/2014 - 16:52

      Must be. Peak is for journeys starting between 0700 to 0900 or 1600 to 1830. So he's either an early or late starter.

      Myself, I took a gallivant on the Manly ferry one Sunday.

    • m2000 on 03/06/2014 - 16:56

      I believe so:
      "With Opal, there is a further 30% off-peak discount on full price Opal train fares if you travel outside of the peak hours (outside of 7.00am to 9.00am and 4.00pm to 6.30pm on weekdays)"
      Good for the people who works in the city area!

  • VIN16 on 03/06/2014 - 20:28

    I travel off-peak going to work and it is peak going home…

  • ihbh on 03/06/2014 - 21:01

    If you don't need to make the 3 short trips, would it take at least 1 hour in total, door to door? Is your time worth $10.08 and hour?

  • VIN16 on 03/06/2014 - 21:50
    +1

    It's certainly worth saving around $40 a month… Plus I also get go for a walk and some exercise… I nowadays get on at Town hall at lunch and go to circular quay station and have a huge back via mrs macquarie's chair in an hour.

  • Baghern on 04/06/2014 - 12:30
    +1

    It will be interesting how long this will last.

    I'm sure most people will figure it out eventually or be told by someone.

    I can imagine a year from now, the lunch time crush as everyone jumps on for a 1 station "journey". Especially those who pay the highest amount ie ferry users and 65km train users

  • carwashhair on 05/06/2014 - 12:04

    good thinking, OP. I've been preaching the same for a while now - A single stop bus trip will likely be easier when they all finally come on board later this year. Would take 15 mins a day, with a great little outdoor walk!

  • moocher on 09/09/2014 - 10:18

    Article on SMH - too slow! They need to check OzBargain :)

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