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[NSW] Free Train and Metro Travel on Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August @ Transport NSW

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[NSW] Free Train and Metro Travel on Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August @ Transport NSW
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SetTheFaqUp on 06/07/2025 - 09:37 transportnsw.info (1402 clicks)
Last edited 07/07/2025 - 10:48 by 3 other users

Travel will be free for passengers on all rail services statewide including Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink, Airport Link and Metro from Thursday 31 July to Friday 1 August inclusive.

From 12.01am Thursday 31 July to 11.59pm on Friday 1 August 2025, travel will be free on all Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink, Airport Link, and Sydney Metro services.

Opal gates and readers at Opal enabled train and metro stations will be turned off during this fare free period meaning customers will not need to tap on and tap off.

Passengers using NSW TrainLink services during this time will be refunded but must have booked a ticket to secure their seat to travel.

However, passengers on all other services including bus, ferry, and light rail must tap on and off as normal as fares will continue to be charged.

Opal benefits will still apply to all paid journeys where customers tap on and tap off.

Passengers who use Park&Ride commuter car parks will still be able to access free parking to travel on the Opal network.

Funded by tax payers

Two days of free train travel for NSW after government, unions sign pay deal.

In short:
The NSW government and the union have ended their dispute over pay after a majority of rail workers voted in favour of the new enterprise bargaining agreement.

The government has announced two fare-free days on trains in recognition of the disruption caused by protracted dispute.

What's next?
The fare-free days will run from July 31 to August 1, and only applies to trains.

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Comments

  • M00Cow on 06/07/2025 - 09:38
    +17

    i bet they'll be back on strike by then

    • SetTheFaqUp on 06/07/2025 - 09:39
      +18

      I told my work that I will strike tomorrw. They suggested early retirement to me as an option.

      • dirtydealdog on 06/07/2025 - 12:58
        +14

        You should probably join a union then

    • tessel on 06/07/2025 - 16:23

      Good on them.

  • shaybisc on 06/07/2025 - 09:52
    +1

    metro and regional train trips across NSW will cost nothing.

  • besttechadvisor on 06/07/2025 - 10:06
    +31

    Funded by tax payers

    So is the whole public transport system and all the roads. Most of the income from tickets ironically probably goes towards enforcing tickets… (Revenue from tickets is half of employee wages)

    • Averell on 06/07/2025 - 10:22

      I didn't know it. Why it's so high compared to Victoria (let alone QLD)?

      • besttechadvisor on 06/07/2025 - 10:47
        +1

        Since it's not meant to be profitable, I guess it's somewhat arbitrary - whatever they think they can get away with. I'm not an expert.

      • bargain ben on 06/07/2025 - 11:33
        +5

        Public transport fares in NSW are set by IPART (unelected bureaucrats) and they set them high to try and recoup costs, even though the system still runs at an overall loss.

        • shroomish on 06/07/2025 - 15:02
          +8

          The horror think tax dollars should be spent providing a public service!

    • lazy0971 on 06/07/2025 - 10:46
      +9

      In some cities, although usually smaller than Sydney, public transport is free.
      It's just because it costs too much money to enforce tickets, have the payment system in place etc.

      I doubt we would see this on Sydney one day but I like the idea.

      • kogi on 06/07/2025 - 11:30

        Melbourne inner city trams are free

        • rodericb on 06/07/2025 - 12:44

          To promote tourism.

          • askvictor on 06/07/2025 - 13:31
            +3

            @rodericb: More because they scrapped ticket selling machines on board trams, and the fact that the tap-ons are too slow and would make boarding a busy tram take heaps longer. But, yes, officially, 'to promote tourism' (since tourists never leave the inner city)

        • imYourBossFenny on 06/07/2025 - 12:54
          +1

          Free shuttle for a 1-2 kms in parramatta to leagues club there 😄

      • Arch9896 on 06/07/2025 - 12:24

        Which cities?

  • sticky8anana on 06/07/2025 - 10:10
    +18

    This is a real bargain if you don't pay taxes

    • SetTheFaqUp on 06/07/2025 - 10:13
      +7

      Or travelled from outside of NSW/AU.

      • ihbh on 06/07/2025 - 10:54
        +1

        This is a real bargain if you don't pay taxes

        This is a real bargain … if you pay taxes but don't normally catch the trains.

        • ashtdp on 07/07/2025 - 08:18
          +1

          Real bargain if you pay taxes and paying for trains anyway for commute..

        • bio on 07/07/2025 - 09:14
          +1

          By the same logic government funded cancer research is a waste of taxpayer money because I don't have cancer.

      • henrus on 06/07/2025 - 11:17

        OzB meet up on the Brisbane to Sydney train! $0 first class seats for all.

    • HeyHi on 06/07/2025 - 11:28

      Gst is also a tax and everyone pays for it.

  • syncoroll on 06/07/2025 - 10:32
    +7

    NSW’s Free Train Delays

    is how i read the title.

    • McMaferMur on 06/07/2025 - 10:39
      +6

      And the drivers get payrise

  • alexdagr8 on 06/07/2025 - 10:41
    -6

    Drivers and staff don’t deserve it

  • soggypotato on 06/07/2025 - 10:57
    +1

    what a coincidence, I will be taking leave during these 2 days

  • alexlk on 06/07/2025 - 11:04

    Puzzled: why would train union advocate free ride for us?

    • besttechadvisor on 06/07/2025 - 11:10
      +4

      To win public support after the inconvenience caused by the strike.

      • Ziaina on 06/07/2025 - 14:42
        +3

        lol they should have done it right in the first place

    • odysseus on 06/07/2025 - 11:21
      -1

      Don't see anything to say they did advocate for it. And if they did I'm sure it would have been more visible.

    • UncleRico on 06/07/2025 - 12:32
      +1

      To pretend they have any consideration for the perpetually inconvenienced public who pick up the tab for their lazy, overpaid members…

      Bring on the driverless and guardless trains, post-haste.

  • bird380 on 06/07/2025 - 11:31
    +2

    REGIONAL TRAIN IS FREE AS WELL!!!!!

  • battler on 06/07/2025 - 11:31

    Are we still paying for drivers on driverless trains (metro)?

  • timhn on 06/07/2025 - 11:50

    What's the longest distance we can travelling for free by Sydney train? Blue Mountains?

    • bird380 on 06/07/2025 - 11:58

      (might be off topic), booked one-way regional train to Brisbane

    • niknah on 06/07/2025 - 15:42
      +3

      Here's the map…
      https://transportnsw.info/regional-network-map

      Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide are $0 too.

      • mr_asstight on 06/07/2025 - 17:44

        So far. So so far

      • Windows7forever on 06/07/2025 - 18:15

        Are you sure country link rail is included?

      • marzzbar on 07/07/2025 - 07:56

        Free travel interstate? That seems totally bonkers!

        Apparently they're sold out already but I'm guessing there will be people refunding/cancelling since it doesn't cost them anything

  • HarleyQuinn888 on 06/07/2025 - 11:52
    -5

    How much pay rise did they get? Probably no more $$ for nurses now…
    What's the bet July 31 to August 1 - some problem with the train lines or some other BS? lol

  • WindBrad on 06/07/2025 - 12:22
    +3

    This is a better deal than I think most people realise. If you are quick before the trains fully book out, then you can book a seat on the nsw train link website for $0. I just received confirmation for a day trip to Orange on the 31st, but you can go much further if you want to take annual leave for both days.

    • Arch9896 on 06/07/2025 - 12:32

      You are paying it just like the toll rebate

    • ihbh on 06/07/2025 - 13:09

      Got relos there? Or are you camping, or where do you get cheap accommodation?

  • UncleRico on 06/07/2025 - 12:28
    -3

    I’d happily pay double if the government would stick it to these unions and turf the lot of them…

    • Some Random Guy on 07/07/2025 - 00:46

      Old mate uncle Rico must've been ecstatic when work choices was implemented…

      • UncleRico on 07/07/2025 - 20:50

        Not really. Why, old mate?

  • ilovefullprice on 06/07/2025 - 12:37

    Thanks OP

  • imYourBossFenny on 06/07/2025 - 12:58

    Thanks OP

  • Meconium on 06/07/2025 - 13:01
    +1

    Anyone got any scenic statewide overnight itineraries? Could head to Broken Hill and back, we're free those days :)

  • DingoBilly on 06/07/2025 - 13:23
    +1

    Months of train delays and disruptions, so that you can get 2 days free travel. Not a good trade..

  • askvictor on 06/07/2025 - 13:32

    Why does this never happen in Melbourne? I mean, we have more than out share of train network meltdowns

  • pokemongoplayer on 06/07/2025 - 13:59

    Does that include airport stations?

    • timhn on 06/07/2025 - 16:21

      Yes, but you still pay the airport access fee

  • aiyoyo on 06/07/2025 - 14:06

    Melbourne day trip?

  • garygaz on 06/07/2025 - 14:33
    +1

    there are quite a few jobs/industries that if they striked, the impact would be similar or far worse for all of society than what the rail workers did

    but those industries never have, even when their conditions were arguably worse than the rail workers

    the whole saga does not leave me thinking well of the rail union

    • SetTheFaqUp on 06/07/2025 - 14:44
      +1

      Imagine ED goes on strike. Like, why not?

      Some are slightly more considerate.

  • UberIsCool on 06/07/2025 - 14:35
    +1

    Just booked Sydney to Brisbane, $0 for first class (normally $97)

    • aiyoyo on 06/07/2025 - 16:08

      I booked to Gold Coast? Good view on the way I wish!

  • beach bum on 06/07/2025 - 14:38

    Go to Tweed Heads and you’re almost there !
    I think the only line actually takes you through Beaudesert and on to Acacia Ridge but you will still have made it to the promised land.
    Yes Queensland.
    Beautiful one day ,
    Subdivided and ruined the next.

  • Windows7forever on 06/07/2025 - 14:47
    -2

    I assume this is for anywhere on the opal network?

  • SydBoy on 06/07/2025 - 15:36

    they giving it for Thursday and Friday when least patrons uses Sydney Train… such a cheap trick by liberal primer working under Labor party banner :D

    • timhn on 06/07/2025 - 16:22
      +2

      Agree. They should give 1 week free at least.

    • cyssero on 06/07/2025 - 18:37

      Thursday is the busiest day on the network, at least between 2020-2023: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-train-patronage-s…

    • hippo2s on 06/07/2025 - 19:37

      I don't know man… Peak hour still packed on northern line, and can't get on at Chatswood to Metro. So at this point…even free travel won't get me back unless the passenger congestion is improved.

  • aiyoyo on 06/07/2025 - 16:07

    Sydney to Gold Coast day trip 😆

  • sanmigueelbeer on 06/07/2025 - 16:12

    Thanks & booked for a Regional Train ride.

  • mr_asstight on 06/07/2025 - 19:14

    All interstate tickets are sold out lol

  • ialam99 on 06/07/2025 - 21:05

    "The government has announced two fare-free days on trains in recognition of the disruption caused by protracted dispute."

    Well in Victoria, we have had years of disruption caused by protracted incompetence of our state government. How many days free should we get?

    • mr_asstight on 06/07/2025 - 21:29
      +4

      VIC gov is on another level of retardation

  • seug123 on 06/07/2025 - 21:51

    the nsw govt and unions got into bed together to give us these 2 specific days when we're all either at work or won't benefit from their messes

  • Gdsamp on 06/07/2025 - 22:49
    +1

    Naarm culture (fare evasion)

  • Some Random Guy on 07/07/2025 - 00:55

    Anyone figured out a trip starting from Adelaide?

    Not sure how this would work with transport NSW, but for free travel to anywhere on interstate tax payer dollars, I would be stupid to not take it!

  • Wandersen on 07/07/2025 - 08:07
    +1

    Qld has a much better deal. 50c on all public transport at all times (intercity and airport excluded) but you can go as far as the Gold Coast or Caboolture for 50c.

    • Meowcat on 07/07/2025 - 09:34

      Gympie North technically

    • bcYield on 07/07/2025 - 15:06

      It means to be free but gov wants the data for the stimulation I reckon.

  • ashtdp on 07/07/2025 - 08:16

    Does anyone know how does commuter carpark works on Free fare days?

    I would be going to office on both these days and I use commuter car park which is free to use as long as I used train o that day with tap on and off. I see the machines going to be switched off, so I wouldn’t be able to tap.

    My daily fare is ~12$ and car park fare would be $18 if I don’t tap on normal days

    • SueyJitSu on 07/07/2025 - 09:34

      I would think either the commuter car parks will be "open" to all (Boom gates up), or if not then you pay for parking and then should be able to get a refund for those days.

      • ashtdp on 07/07/2025 - 15:59

        I was thinking the same.

        I have always driven to work and only started using public transport from past 3 weeks due to change in jobs. So this would be my first time to have fare free train days.

    • seug123 on 08/07/2025 - 11:57

      free doesn't mean don't tap on for $0.00 deduction

      • ashtdp on 09/07/2025 - 07:39

        The announcement says the opal reader machines will be turned off. So no option to tap on.

  • bcYield on 07/07/2025 - 14:50

    Need a cheap 1-2 night stay in NSW to take advantage of this deal.

  • safyurek on 07/07/2025 - 19:24
    +2

    abcde f, off

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