NSW Labor is calling on the Baird Government to reject harsh Opal fare increases which will see regular train commuters hardest hit.

Under this proposal fares will increase by an average of 4.2 per cent a year, which is more than triple the current rate of inflation.

Five-day-a-week train commuters travelling from Ashfield to Central face an increase of 41 per cent over the next two years. Annual fares from Ashfield to Central are set to jump to $1989 a year by 1 July 2018.

Annual fares from Marrickville to Central will cost $1736.28, up from $1406 now, or a 23% jump.

Free Opal card travel after eight trips will be scrapped.

The $2.50 Gold Opal ticket for seniors will go up to $3.60 in July and then increase to $4 by 2018.

Commuters were outraged at the proposed new fare structure released by the Government late last year.

Despite the huge volume of submissions to IPART slamming the changes, the revised report still leaves regular public transport passengers unfairly out of pocket.

The weekly travel cap of $60 will increase to $64 on July 1, before jumping to $72 by 2018.

Commuters from outer suburbs who take advantage of the daily cap will see their maximum single journey fare increase from $15 to $20 by 1 July 2018.

Quotes attributable to Member for Summer Hill

“It’s cruel and unfair that commuters travelling from Ashfield are set to be punished by the government for simply catching a train to and from work.

“We should be encouraging people to use public transport, not slogging them with higher fares.

“Congestion is already a huge problem and commuters shouldn’t be forced off overpriced trains onto overcrowded roads.

“Pensioners and seniors rely on the $2.50 Gold Opal price to connect with their communities, visit friends and family, and do the day to day basics. This rise is unfair and unwarranted.”