View source for Opal fare system

'''Opal''' is a contactless fare collection system for public transport services in the greater [[Sydney]] area of [[New South Wales]], Australia. Operation of the Opal system is managed by the New South Wales Government's transport authority, [[Transport for NSW]]. First launched in late 2012, Opal is valid on Transport for NSW's metro, train, bus, light rail and ferry services that operate in Sydney and the neighbouring [[wikipedia:Central Coast, New South Wales|Central Coast]], [[wikipedia:Hunter Region|Hunter]], [[wikipedia:Blue Mountains (New South Wales)|Blue Mountains]] and [[wikipedia:Illawarra|Illawarra]] areas. It is also accepted on train services in the [[wikipedia:Southern Highlands (New South Wales)|Southern Highlands]].

Opal cards are the standard method of paying for fares on the Opal system. The card is a credit card-sized [[wikipedia:contactless smartcard|smartcard]] which includes a [[wikipedia:microchip|microchip]] and internal [[wikipedia:RFID|RFID]] aerial, allowing the card to communicate with readers. The microchip enables value to be loaded onto the card, as well as allowing the journey details to be recorded and the appropriate fare deducted from the stored value on the card. Passengers 'tap on' and 'tap off' any services whenever they travel through the public transport network.<ref>{{cite web |title=On what services can I use the Opal card? |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/get-an-opal-card/what-services-can-i-use-it-on/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=8 July 2016}}</ref> Opal cards can also be used to pay for fares on selected third party transport services via a facility known as [[#OpalPay|OpalPay]].

Two other payment methods are also available. Opal single trip tickets are single-use contactless cards (or printed paper tickets on buses), and Opal contactless payments allow direct payment from a bank account using a credit/debit card or mobile device.

==History==
Sydney has used a number of automated ticketing systems since the opening of the [[Eastern Suburbs railway line]] in June 1979. The previous system used on government-run services was the Automated Fare Collection System (AFC), which was rolled out across all [[CityRail]] (train) and [[wikipedia:State Transit Authority|State Transit Authority]] (bus and ferry) services in Greater Sydney between 1988 and 1993. The system featured loose integration between the different modes of transport, a complex fare structure and excluded private operators. By being limited to the services provided by the government agencies, most bus services in the outer western, northern and southern parts of Sydney, plus all bus services of the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, and Illawarra regions were excluded from the system.

A unified brand for the majority of public transport tickets was introduced in April 2010. MyZone was designed to simplify the fare system and remove one of the stumbling blocks to the introduction of a smart card.<ref>{{cite news |title=Inner-city commuters hit by hefty fare shake-up |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/innercity-commuters-hit-by-hefty-fare-shakeup-20100201-n8v1.html |last1=Hall |first1=R |last2=West |first2=A |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2 February 2010 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> The AFC system was retained where it was in use, but tickets could also be used on private buses - and subsequently on the [[Inner West Light Rail]] - by presenting a ticket to the bus driver or tram conductor.

===Tcard===
A replacement for the AFC based on smart card technology, named Tcard, was first announced by the government in 1996, with the aim of having a system in place before the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The contract was awarded to [[wikipedia:ERG Group|ERG Group]], but was delayed until 2002 due to a lawsuit from the losing bidder [[wikipedia:Cubic Transportation Systems|Cubic Transportation Systems]], which was labelled 'dishonest' by the presiding Supreme Court of New South Wales judge.<ref name=court>{{Cite news |title=Cubic Branded Dishonest by NSW Supreme Court Judge|last1=Clennell |first1=Andrew |last2=Besser |first2=Linton | url=http://www.smh.com.au/technology/enterprise/smartcard-operator-branded-dishonest-20100411-s0w2.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=4 November 2010 |accessdate=30 November 2011}}</ref>

In 2001, Cubic launched a court action against the government but the case exposed an improper relationship between its then managing director and a RailCorp employee alleged to have leaked tender secrets to Cubic.

Ruling against Cubic in 2002, the NSW Supreme Court judge Michael Adams found it was <nowiki>''guilty of reprehensible conduct'' and had shown a ''lack of good faith and positive dishonesty''</nowiki> in the tender process.<ref name=court/>

The development and rollout of the system was beset with difficulties, leading the government to terminate the contract in November 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=NSW ends TRG Tcard contract |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it-old/nsw-ends-erg-tcard-contract/story-e6frganf-1111114841467 |work=The Australian |date=9 November 2007 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> The government sued ERG for $77 million who counter sued for $215m.<ref>{{cite news |title=Court orders government to hand over Tcard documents |url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/court-orders-government-to-hand-over-tcard-documents-20100608-xtmg.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=9 June 2010 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> The claim was settled in February 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=NSW taxpayers 'spared $200m loss' as Tcard trail aborted |url=http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/nsw-taxpayers-spared-200m-loss-as-tcard-trial-aborted-20120217-1tdfd.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=17 February 2012 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>

===Opal launch===
After terminating the Tcard contract, the government quickly moved to reset the smartcard project.<ref name = "smh_tcard:_Here_we_go_again">{{cite news |last=Besser |first=Linton |title=Tcard: Here we go again |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=3 June 2008 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/tcard-here-we-go-again/2008/07/02/1214950853856.html |accessdate=3 June 2008}}</ref> It called for expressions of interest for the second attempt at the project in August 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=NSW revives failed Tcard project |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/03/2292988.htm?site=nsw |work=ABC News |date=3 July 2008 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> In April 2010 the government awarded the contract to the Pearl Consortium, whose members are the Commonwealth Bank, Cubic Transportation Systems and Downer EDI.<ref name="itwire.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/strategy/38211-pearl-consortium-wins-nsw-tcard-contract |title=Pearl Consortium wins NSW Tcard contract |date=12 April 2010 |work=iTwire |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195536/http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/strategy/38211-pearl-consortium-wins-nsw-tcard-contract |archivedate=3 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=London's Oyster creator scores Tcard contract |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/shell-of-a-task-londons-oyster-creator-scores-tcard-contract-20100410-s02z.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=11 April 2010 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>

In September 2011 the new name for the system was announced as 'Opal', chosen from a selection of 665 names. Transport for NSW said Opal was chosen because it was 'uniquely Australian',<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal a gem for Public Transport |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/opal-gem-public-transport |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=2012-12-03}}</ref> short, and easy to say. As well as the opal being Australia's national gemstone, the black opal is the New South Wales gemstone symbol.<ref>{{cite news |title=New name's the ticket for Sydney transport |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-13/new-name-the-ticket-for-sydney-transport/2882672 |work=ABC News |date=13 September 2011 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>

===Rollout===
<!--[[File:594 Opal Card Bus Trial IMG 5392.jpg|thumb|upright|Opal reader installed on a bus]]
[[File:Circular Quay railway station Sydney Entry Gate 201708.jpg|thumb|Ticket gates at Circular Quay station]]-->

The initial Opal rollout commenced on the Neutral Bay to Circular Quay ferry service in late 2012 and was completed two years later when the Inner West Light Rail was added to the network. During this period, Opal was progressively rolled out to all ferry services operating under a New South Wales Government service contract, Sydney suburban and intercity train services, all bus services operating under a Metropolitan or Outer Metropolitan service contract and on Sydney's light rail line.

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!Mode !! colspan="2"| Rollout commenced !! colspan="2"| Rollout completed
|-
<!--FERRY-->
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:left;"|Ferry 
<!--FERRY COMMENCED-->
|style="text-align:left;"| <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/test-of-citys-ticket-to-ride-will-decide-if-opal-is-coalitions-trump-card-20121125-2a1mj.html |title=Test of city's ticket to ride will decide if Opal is Coalition's trump card |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=26 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/enthusiasm-but-few-takers-on-opal-launch-day-20121207-2azgi.html |title=Enthusiasm but few takers on Opal launch day |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=7 December 2012}}</ref>
| {{nowrap|7 December 2012}}
<!--FERRY COMPLETED-->
|{{nowrap|30 August 2013}} (Sydney)
| style="text-align:right;"| <ref>{{cite web |title=Opal card rollout on Sydney Ferries |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/what-services-can-i-use-it-on/Ferries/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |date= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825140859/https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/what-services-can-i-use-it-on/Ferries/ |archivedate=25 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="SMH30Aug13">{{cite news |title=Opal smartcard comes to more Sydney commuters |url=http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/opal-smartcard-comes-to-more-sydney-commuters-20130829-hv1kz.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=30 August 2013 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>
|-
<!--FERRY NEWCASTLE-->
|colspan="3"|{{nowrap|20 November 2014}} (Newcastle)
| style="text-align:right;"| <ref name=newcastle>{{cite web |title=Opal card rolling out as 11 paper tickets in Newcastle retired |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-card-rolling-out-11-paper-tickets-newcastle-retired |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=19 November 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126042739/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-card-rolling-out-11-paper-tickets-newcastle-retired# |archivedate=26 November 2014}}</ref>
|-
<!--TRAIN-->
| style="text-align:left;"|Train
<!--TRAIN COMMENCED-->
|style="text-align:left;"| <ref name=TptNSW2Jun13>{{cite web |title=Opal rollout begins for train customers |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-roll-out-begins-train-customers |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=2 June 2013 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The end of ticket queues: Minister announces Opal trial |url=http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/the-end-of-ticket-queues-minister-announces-opal-trial-20130602-2njjs.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2 June 2013 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>
| {{nowrap|14 June 2013}}
<!--TRAIN COMPLETED-->
|{{nowrap|11 April 2014}}
| style="text-align:right;"| <ref>{{cite news |title=Gladys Berejiklian says Opal available at all city, intercity stations April 11 |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/gladys-berejiklian-says-opal-available-at-all-city-intercity-stations-april-11/story-fni0cvc9-1226865016322 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=26 March 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>
|-
<!--BUS-->
| style="text-align:left;"|Bus
<!--BUS COMMENCED-->
|style="text-align:left;"| <ref>{{cite web |title=Opal card trial for bus customers begins |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-card-trial-bus-customers-begins |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=26 September 2013 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>
| {{nowrap|30 September 2013}}
<!--BUS COMPLETED-->
|{{nowrap|20 November 2014}}
| style="text-align:right;"| <ref>{{cite web |title=Opal available on all trains from today as bus rollout kicks off |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-available-all-trains-today-bus-rollout-kicks |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=11 April 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref><ref name=newcastle/>
|-
<!--LIGHT RAIL-->
| style="text-align:left;"|Light rail
|colspan="3"|{{nowrap|1 December 2014}}
| style="text-align:right;"| <ref>{{cite web |title=Opal card use on Sydney light rail starts on December 1 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/opal-card-use-on-sydney-light-rail-starts-on-december-1-20141123-11ru1j.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=23 November 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Opal to go live on light rail months ahead of schedule |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-go-live-light-rail-months-ahead-schedule |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=24 November 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126035145/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-go-live-light-rail-months-ahead-schedule |archivedate=26 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/job-done-opal-rollout-complete |title=Job done - Opal rollout complete |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=1 December 2014 |accessdate=1 December 2014}}</ref>
|}

===Withdrawal of paper tickets===
Single trip ticket machines were rolled-out during 2016. Opal replaced all pre-existing paper tickets, with these tickets being withdrawn in stages, with the process completed on 1 August 2016:<ref name="paper phase out">{{cite web |title=The last paper tickets to be wrapped up on August 1 |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/last-paper-tickets-be-wrapped-august-1 |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=4 July 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706072443/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/last-paper-tickets-be-wrapped-august-1 |archivedate=6 July 2016}}</ref>
* 14 tickets (mostly periodicals) were withdrawn on 1 September 2014.<ref name="transport.nsw.gov.au"/>
* 11 [[wikipedia:Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]-specific tickets were withdrawn on 20 November 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=11 paper tickets no longer sold in Newcastle from 20 November |url=http://www.transportnsw.info/sites/en/transport-status/news/2014/newcastle-mst.page |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=3 November 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208163145/http://www.transportnsw.info/sites/en/transport-status/news/2014/newcastle-mst.page |archivedate=8 December 2014}}</ref>
* On 1 January 2016 all other paper tickets were withdrawn except single and return tickets for trains, ferries and light rail and single bus tickets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Time to tap into Opal - majority of paper tickets to be phased out |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/time-tap-opal-majority-paper-tickets-be-phased-out |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=4 August 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804034237/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/time-tap-opal-majority-paper-tickets-be-phased-out# |archivedate=4 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Most paper tickets no longer sold from 1 January 2016 |url=http://www.transportnsw.info/sites/en/transport-status/news/2015/ticket-retirement-0116.page |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=4 August 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806230101/http://www.transportnsw.info/sites/en/transport-status/news/2015/ticket-retirement-0116.page |archivedate=6 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Students join NSW Opal concession ride |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/nsw/a/29454067/students-join-nsw-opal-concession-ride/ |accessdate=2015-09-30}}</ref>
* The last remaining tickets were withdrawn on 1 August 2016. Single trip Opal tickets serve as their replacement.<ref name="paper phase out"/>

==Services that accept Opal==
The Opal network comprises:
*the [[Sydney Metro]] network
*the [[Sydney Trains]] and [[NSW TrainLink]] Intercity networks
*the bus networks of [[Buses in Sydney|Sydney]] and the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Illawarra and Hunter regions
*the [[Sydney Ferries]] network and the Stockton ferry in Newcastle
*the [[Sydney Light Rail|Sydney]] and [[Newcastle Light Rail|Newcastle]] light rail networks

==Card and ticket types==
===Opal cards===
Reusable Opal cards come in five different types, each with their own colour. These are: ''Adult'' (black), ''Child/Youth'' (green), ''Senior/Pensioner'' (gold), ''Concession'' (silver) and ''School'' (light blue).<ref>{{cite web |title=Types of Opal cards |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/types-of-opal-cards/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |date= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315174615/https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/types-of-opal-cards/ |archivedate=15 March 2016}}</ref> Reusable Opal cards can be ordered online or over the phone. Adult and Child/Youth cards are also available from retail outlets, such as convenience stores, newsagents, supermarkets and at the New South Wales Government's Service NSW centres.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal Cards now available from 1,000 retailers including 7-Eleven and Woolworths |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-cards-now-available-1000-retailers-including-7-eleven-and-woolworths |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=10 August 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How do I top up my Opal card? |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/using-my-opal-card/how-do-i-top-up-my-opal-card/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=28 July 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024191649/https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/using-my-opal-card/how-do-i-top-up-my-opal-card/ |archivedate=24 October 2014}}</ref>

The Adult fare card was the first card to be released, becoming available in December 2012. On 6 April 2014, the Child/Youth card was made available.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/new-opal-card-children-released-ahead-school-holidays |title=New Opal card for children released ahead of school holidays |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=6 April 2014}}</ref> These cards had to be ordered either online or over the phone. From 28 July until the end of September 2014, temporary kiosks were set up at major railway stations and shopping centres, as unregistered Adult and Child/Youth cards were made available for the first time.<ref name="transport.nsw.gov.au">{{cite web |title=Opal card pop-up kiosks now located at 28 major Sydney stations |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-card-pop-kiosks-now-located-28-major-sydney-stations |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=28 July 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Opal cards available at 1,000 retail outlets, shopping centres and even more pop-up kiosks |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-cards-available-1000-retail-outlets-shopping-centres-and-even-more-pop-kiosks |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=4 August 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> Opal retailers have distributed unregistered Adult and Child/Youth cards since 10 August 2014.<ref name=popupkiosk>{{cite web |title=Opal cards to be sold at 1000 stores as paper tickets go |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/opal-cards-to-be-sold-at-1000-stores-as-paper-tickets-go-20140803-1000j9.html#ixzz39MktfxcZ |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>

The Senior/Pensioner card was made available for ordering online or by phone on 3 November 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Gold Opal Card with $2.50 daily cap available for seniors and pensioners |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/new-gold-opal-card-250-daily-cap-available-seniors-and-pensioners |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=30 October 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales Number 95 |url=http://www.gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gazette_2014_2014-95.pdf |work=NSW Government Gazette |date=31 October 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> Between 11 November and 5 December 2014, temporary kiosks were set up at shopping centres to allow seniors and pensioners to order their Opal cards.<ref name=seniorkiosk>{{cite web |title=Opal rolls out to more than 450 buses in Northern Sydney as Senior/Pensioner information kiosks start |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-rolls-out-more-450-buses-northern-sydney-seniorpensioner-information-kiosks |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=9 November 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>

The Concession card is available to eligible apprentices, trainees, tertiary students and job seekers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Concession Opal card starts rolling out for university students |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/news/opalnews/news_18december2014.html |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=18 December 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> Concession cards became available to tertiary students on 2 February 2015. To be eligible for the Concession Opal, students must be enrolled full-time at a participating institution.<ref>{{cite web |title=Guidelines for Issuing NSW Tertiary Student Concessions |url=https://www.opal.com.au/asset/40bdb25e-26e6-42bd-b8cb-9d9f1a7edb6a/guidelines_for_issuing_nsw_tertiary_student_concessions_21-01-2015.pdf |publisher=Transport for NSW |date= January 2015 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Students need to give consent for their institution to share enrolment details with Transport for NSW.<ref name="opal tertiary" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Tertiary students tap on with Opal from today |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/tertiary-students-tap-opal-today |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=2 February 2015 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tertiary students tap on with Opal |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/tertiary-education/tertiary-students-tap-on-with-opal-20150201-13383s.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=1 February 2015 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> As of July 2015 the cards were available for students at over 110 institutions.<ref name="opal tertiary">{{cite web |title=Tap into the transport option for tertiary institutions |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/fares-and-benefits/opal_for_tertiary_students/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=13 July 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718044118/https://www.opal.com.au/en/fares-and-benefits/opal_for_tertiary_students/ |archivedate=18 July 2015}}</ref> The Concession Opal became available to eligible NSW job seekers from 29 June 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal for job seekers |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/fares-and-benefits/job_seekers/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=29 June 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629002853/https://www.opal.com.au/en/fares-and-benefits/job_seekers/ |archivedate=29 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Opal takes centre stage at Central |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-takes-centre-stage-central |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=29 June 2015 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>

The School card covers travel to and from school only. No fares are charged when using this card. Owing to the light rail's heritage as a privately run enterprise, free travel for school students was traditionally not available on this mode. The School Opal was introduced on light rail from July 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Frequently asked questions - School Opal card |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/opal-for-school-students/faqs-school-students/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=7 July 2016}}</ref>

An Opal card is available for holders of a free travel Vision Impaired Person’s Travel Pass. The card can be used to open ticket gates at stations and ferry wharves without requiring staff assistance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Transport for NSW 2015-16 Annual Report Volume 1 |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/publications/tfnsw-annual-report-2015-16-volume-1.pdf |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=18 November 2016 |page=86 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118164655/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/publications/tfnsw-annual-report-2015-16-volume-1.pdf |archive-date=2016-11-18 |dead-url=yes}}</ref>

===Single trip tickets===
<!--{{multiple image

 | image1            = Sydney Opal Card (single trip), 2016.jpg
 | caption1          = Single trip Opal cards introduced in 2016, showing front and reverse sides
 | image2            = Opal reader 20180408.jpg
 | width2            = 156
 | caption2          = An Opal reader with a sticker promoting the direct payment trial and warning about card clashes.
}}-->
Non-reusable (single trip) Opal tickets can be bought at some top up machines or from bus drivers. These tickets are available in Adult and Child/Youth forms.<ref>{{cite web |title=It's Opal time - paper tickets no longer sold or accepted from today |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/its-opal-time-paper-tickets-no-longer-sold-or-accepted-today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809005755/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/its-opal-time-paper-tickets-no-longer-sold-or-accepted-today |dead-url=yes |archive-date=9 August 2016 |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=1 August 2016}}</ref> Single trip Opal bus tickets are not available for sale on some bus routes, requiring passengers to use an Opal card when boarding these buses. These services are known as PrePay or Opal only routes. In addition to these routes, some bus stops (for example, bus stops within the [[wikipedia:Sydney central business district|Sydney central business district]]) are also PrePay/Opal only at certain times of the day.<ref name=prepay>{{cite web |url=https://transportnsw.info/travel-info/ways-to-get-around/bus/prepay-buses |title=PrePay buses |publisher=Transport Info NSW |accessdate=15 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=More Sydney buses moving to Opal only services |url=https://transportnsw.info/news/2018/more-sydney-buses-moving-to-opal-only-services |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |date= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>

===Contactless payments===
A trial supporting direct contactless payments from debit and credit cards was introduced 6 July 2017. This allows passengers to tap on or off using their card or a mobile device linked to their card's account, thereby removing the need to use an Opal card or ticket. The trial began on the F1 Manly ferry service, initially only for holders of Mastercard contactless cards. All passengers were charged the price of an adult Opal single trip ticket.<ref name="contactless trial begins">{{cite web |title=Contactless payments on Sydney Ferries Manly Service |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/news/opalnews/news_6july2017.html |work=opal.com.au |date=7 July 2017}}</ref> On 12 March 2018, the trial was expanded to include all Sydney Ferries and Sydney light rail services, and support for Visa and American Express cards was also added.<ref name="contactless expansion">{{cite news |last1=O'Sullivan |first1=Matt |title=Credit card payments for trips expanded across ferries, light rail |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/credit-card-payments-for-trips-expanded-across-ferries-light-rail-20180312-p4z3xo.html |accessdate=12 March 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=12 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Contactless payments available on light rail and Sydney Ferries |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/news/opalnews/news_12March2018.html |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=12 March 2018 |date=12 March 2018}}</ref> On 26 November 2018 it was further expanded to cover all Sydney Trains and NSW Trainlink intercity services.<ref name=trial3>{{cite web |title=More ways to pay on trains, ferries and light rail |url=https://transportnsw.info/news/2018/more-ways-to-pay-on-trains-ferries-light-rail |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |date= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> The contactless fare structure was also changed to charge normal Opal card fares, and support for the daily, weekly and Sunday caps was introduced.<ref name=trial3/> The service expanded to the Sydney Metro when it opened on 26 May 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transportnsw.info/metro |title=Metro coming mid 2019 |accessdate=2019-03-16 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204061655/https://transportnsw.info/metro |archivedate=4 February 2019}}</ref>

There are some limitations when using contactless payments compared to Opal cards. Peak period fares are charged for train and metro services regardless of the time of day a trip is taken. Additionally, the concept of [[#trips, journeys and transfers|journeys]] doesn't exist for contactless payments. As such, they cannot be used to benefit from half-price fares after eight journeys, the transfer discount when changing modes, or trip advantage - where consecutive trips using the same mode within 60 minutes are combined into a single fare. Opal contactless also doesn't allow free access to [[#Supporting products and services|Opal park & ride carparks]].<ref name=trial3/><ref>{{cite web |title=Cubic and Transport for New South Wales Extend Contactless Payment to Sydney’s Trains |url=https://www.cubic.com/news-events/news/cubic-and-transport-new-south-wales-extend-contactless-payment-sydneys-trains |publisher=Cubic Corporation |date= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> The technology is based on a system developed by Cubic Transport Systems on licence from [[wikipedia:Transport for London|Transport for London]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sydney to use Transport for London open payment technology |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/technology/single-view/view/sydney-to-use-transport-for-london-open-payment-technology.html |work=Railway Gazette International |date=20 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Licencing London’s contactless ticketing system |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2016/july/licencing-london-s-contactless-ticketing-system |publisher=Transport for London |date=13 July 2016}}</ref>

==Fares==
The Opal system integrates fare payment technology across all modes of public transport; however, it does not fully integrate the fares themselves. Fares are separated into three groups, each of which is derived from the MyZone fare structure:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Mode !! Off-peak<br>discount !! Free interchange<br>across modes<br>(within the group) !! Distance<br>calculation<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal/fares-payments/how-opal-fares-are-calculated |title=How Opal fares are calculated |accessdate=2019-03-17 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190316185131/https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal/fares-payments/how-opal-fares-are-calculated |archivedate=16 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
|Metro and train || 30% || Yes || Track distance
|-
|Bus and light rail || None || No || Straight line
|-
|Ferry || None || N/A || Straight line
|}

The train and metro group features higher pricing during weekday peak periods. The bus and light rail group also includes Newcastle's Stockton ferry.<ref name="2019-05-25" /> Regardless of the group, all fares are calculated based on the distance travelled and are for single trips only. Opal single trip tickets use the same fare types as the reusable cards but offer no off-peak train fare and are more expensive than the equivalent reusable card fare.

The following tables list Opal fares for reusable cards and single trip tickets as of 24 June 2019:<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal fares |url=https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal/fares-payments |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=24 June 2019}}</ref>
{{Opal train fares}}{{Opal bus/light rail fares}}{{Opal ferry fares}}
{{Clear}}
'''^'''= $2.50 cap applies for Senior/Pensioner cardholders

A surcharge is levied when using the two privately operated stations serving Sydney Airport:
{{Opal station access fee}}
{{Clear}}

As there are no return or periodical options available, reusable Opal cards include a number of caps to reduce the cost for frequent travellers:<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal benefits |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721120306/https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/benefits-of-travelling-with-opal-card/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=2 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Airport station access fee |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701101339/https://www.opal.com.au/en/opal-fares/airport_station_access_fee/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=2 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Opal fare changes from 24 June |url=https://transportnsw.info/news/2019/opal-fare-changes-from-24-june#homepage |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=21 June 2019 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"| 
! rowspan="2"| Adult cards ||colspan="2"| Other cards
|-
! Standard  || Senior/Pensioner
|-
! rowspan="2"| Daily || Mon-Sat
|$16.10
|$8.00
|$2.50
|-
! Sunday
|$2.80
|$2.80
|$2.50
|-
! rowspan="2"| Weekly || Regular cap
|$50.00
|$25.00
|$17.50
|-
! Airport station<br>access
|$29.00
|$26.00
|$26.00
|}

{{Clear}}

Other key discounts include:
* A transfer discount of $2.00 for Adult cards and $1.00 for other cards when transferring between modes (halved when on half-fare discount)
* A half-fare discount for the remainder of the week when 8 journeys in that week have been completed

Fares generally increase on the Monday before or after the start of a new financial year on 1 July.<!-- The transfer discount did not change.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal fares to rise at rate on inflation next month |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-13/the-cost-of-your-opal-fares-will-go-up-next-month/9865536|website=abc.net.au |work=ABC News |accessdate=13 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Opal fares capped at CPI|url=https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/opal-fares-capped-at-cpi|website=transport.nsw.gov.au|publisher=Transport for NSW|accessdate=13 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Opal keeps an eye on cost of living|url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/opal-keeps-eye-cost-living|publisher=Transport for NSW|date=10 May 2017}}</ref>-->

Being a distance-based system, Opal users are required to tap on and tap off on all modes (apart from the F1 Manly ferry) to ensure the correct fare is charged. If a user does not correctly tap off after tapping on, a default fare will be charged, corresponding to the maximum fare on that mode of travel. However, a lower default fare applies if it is not possible to reach the maximum fare on the route for which the tap on took place. The default fare will be charged after a time-out period of five hours from the initial tap on or if the user changes modes or taps on at a gated station.

Metro and train services offer cheaper fares for travel during the off-peak. Standard peak times for trains are between 07:00 to 09:00 (for Sydney Metro and Sydney Trains stations), 06:00 to 08:00 (for intercity stations) and 16:00 to 18:30 (for all stations) on weekdays. Starting a journey outside of those peak times will attract a 30% discount compared to the peak fare.<ref name="2019-05-25">{{cite web |title=Adult fares |url=https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal/fares-payments/adult-fares |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=25 May 2019}}</ref>

Transport Officers and NSW Police, who randomly patrol services, are equipped with portable card readers and mobile phone based readers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fare compliance - tickets |url=http://www.transportnsw.info/en/tickets/conditions/fines.page |work=transportnsw.info |accessdate=2015-09-05 |publisher=Transport for NSW}}</ref>

===Trips, journeys and transfers===
Fares are categorised in two ways: a ''trip'' is a single unit of travel, from tap on to tap off; a ''journey'' is a collection of 1 or more trips taken within a short space of time of each other. Trips will be counted as one journey if a passenger taps on for a new trip within 60 minutes of tapping off from their previous trip (on the Manly ferry the time limit is 130 minutes from tap on). Trips are used to calculate fares. Fares for consecutive trips involving the same mode of transport are combined so the passenger is charged as if they have taken just one trip, from its origin to ultimate destination. Journeys involving transfers between modes generally attract separate fares for each mode. The exception is for transfers between metro and train services.<ref name="2019-05-25" /> A journey can consist of a maximum of eight trips.

===Changes to fare calculation===
Since 5 September 2016, a discount has applied when changing modes during a journey.<ref name="transfer changes">{{cite web |title=Opal multi-mode travel will become cheaper |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/news/opalnews/news2_19May2016.html |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=19 May 2016}}</ref>

The government has stated that once the [[CBD and South East Light Rail]] opens in 2019, passengers will pay a single fare for a journey involving the use of both light rail and buses, although this was before the introduction of the transfer discount.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal to go live on light rail months ahead of schedule |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-go-live-light-rail-months-ahead-schedule |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=24 November 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126035145/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-go-live-light-rail-months-ahead-schedule |archivedate=26 November 2014}}</ref>

Once a journey count of eight is reached during the week (Monday to Sunday), all subsequent travel is half-price for the rest of that week. This discount was changed from free travel to half-price travel on 5 September 2016.<ref name="transfer changes"/> When an Opal customer completes eight trips on the same mode of transport (even within the 60-minute transfer), a new journey commences. The number of trips required to force the creation of a new journey was increased from four trips to eight trips in March 2016 to reduce the number of short trips made simply to complete a journey and reach the journey limit.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal loophole - If you're determined enough, you can travel full fare all week for less than $20. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/sydney/comments/289kx1/opal_loophole_if_youre_determined_enough_you_can/ |author=mubd1234 |publisher=Reddit |accessdate=9 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Opal card shuttle: Sydney Light Rail stops in Pyrmont help commuters beat the system |url = http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/opal-card-shuttle-sydney-light-rail-stops-in-pyrmont-help-commuters-beat-the-system-20150413-1mk2r1 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |accessdate=9 August 2015 |date=15 April 2015 |last=Saulwick |first=Jacob |last2=Kontominas |first2=Bellinda}}</ref><ref name=transfer8>{{cite web |title=Opal runners tapped out for a fairer system |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-runners-tapped-out-fairer-system |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=21 March 2016}}</ref>

===Topping up===
<!--[[File:Opal Card Top up machine.jpg|thumb|upright|Opal Card top up machine at a retailer]]-->
Placing money onto an Opal card is known as ''topping up''. As of January 2016, there are over 2,000 Opal card retailers that provide top up services across New South Wales.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal card retailer list |url=http://www.retailers.opal.com.au/list.html |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSWW |date= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> There are also top up machines at railway stations, light rail stops, and ferry wharves. Opal cards may also be linked to a credit or debit card, allowing users to top up their balance online or by phone.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top up |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/get-an-opal-card/top-up/ |work=opal.com.au |accessdate=7 July 2016}}</ref> When linked to a credit or debit card, Opal cards can be configured to automatically top up the balance when it falls below a pre-set amount (auto top up), currently $10.

===IPART fare review 2015===
In response to a reorganisation of bus routes in the Sydney central business district that led to increased modal interchange, in July 2015 the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) was requested to investigate the possible introduction of integrated fares in Sydney, with a proposed implementation date of 1 July 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sydney bus upheaval prompts Opal card fare review |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/sydney-bus-upheaval-prompts-opal-card-fare-review-20150717-gieooq.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=17 July 2015 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Finding the best fare structure for Opal |url=http://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/files/sharedassets/website/trimholdingbay/fact_sheet_-_finding_the_best_fare_structure_for_opal_-_21_july_2015.pdf |publisher=Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal |date=21 July 2015 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>

In December 2015, IPART proposed the following changes and invited public comment:<ref>{{cite web |title=Feedback sought on proposed public transport fares |url=http://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/files/sharedassets/website/shared_files/pricing_reviews_-_transport_services_-_publications_-_review_of_public_transport_fares_in_sydney_from_july_2016/media_release_-_feedback_sought_on_proposed_public_transport_fares_-_21_december_2015.pdf |publisher=Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal |date=21 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Transport - maximum fares for Opal Services |url=http://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/files/sharedassets/website/trimholdingbay/draft_determination_-_transport_-_maximum_fares_for_opal_services_-_december_2015.pdf |publisher=Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal |page=7 |date=21 December 2015}}</ref>
*Charging a single fare across modes based on the most expensive mode taken during the journey.
*Increasing the off-peak discount on trains from 30% to 40%.
*Basing train fares on the straight-line distance from origin to destination - instead of track distance - for consistency with other modes.
*Increasing the per kilometre rate so that fares for longer distance journeys would increase relative to those for shorter distance journeys.
*Charging for all journeys made during the week, then keeping the fares for the 10 most expensive journeys and refunding any other journeys made during the week. This proposal would replace the scheme where passengers pay for their first 8 journeys, then all subsequent travel is free.
*Replacing the $2.50 Sunday cap with new caps of $7.20 for adults, $5.40 for concessions and $3.60 for children that would apply on both days of the weekend.
*Increasing the weekday daily cap from $15 to $18.
*Increasing the weekly cap from $60 to $65.
*Setting the Senior/Pensioner Opal Card cap at 40% of the concession fare. This would initially place the cap at $3.60.
*Pricing paper tickets at 40% more than Opal fares.

The final recommendations were released in May 2016 and differed significantly from the initial proposal as a result of Transport for NSW advising that some aspects of the initial proposal would be difficult to implement. The major changes were: replacing the proposal to charge a single fare across modes for an entire journey with a discount when passengers switch modes on the same journey and replacing the proposal to charge for the 10 most expensive journeys made during the week with a 50% discount on travel after the first eight journeys in the week.<ref>{{cite web |title=Average public transport fare increases capped |url=http://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/files/sharedassets/website/shared_files/pricing_reviews_-_transport_services_-_publications_-_review_of_public_transport_fares_in_sydney_from_july_2016/media_release_-_average_public_transport_fare_increases_capped_-_10_may_2016.pdf |date=10 May 2016}}</ref> On 26 May the government announced that both of these modified recommendations would be taken up. The changes took effect on 5 September. IPART's other proposals were not taken up.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairer fares: changes will be made to Opal fares this September |url=http://www.transportnsw.info/en/transport-status/news/detail.page?news=templatedata/Content/News-Article/data/2016/opal-fares-weekly-travel-reward-changes.xml |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=26 May 2016}}</ref>

===IPART fare review 2018===
In July 2018 IPART was requested to carry out a further review of fares as from 1 July 2020. This is to include a recommendation on fares for on demand bus services operating in the metropolitan and outer metropolitan regions under the control of Transport for NSW. This review is to be submitted no later that 20 February 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Request for IPART review |url=https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/files/sharedassets/website/shared-files/pricing-reviews-transport-services-publications-opal-public-transport-services-to-june-2024/referral-opal-public-transport-services-to-june-2024-july-2018.pdf |publisher=Minister for Transport |date= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Top up machines===
<!--[[File:Opal card Top up machine at Engadine train station.jpg|thumb|upright|Second generation (cash accepting) top up machine]]-->
Over 350 top up machines are installed at railway and metro stations, light rail stops and ferry wharves throughout the Opal area.<ref name="paper phase out"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Opal top up machines to be rolled out from early 2015 |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/opal-top-machines-be-rolled-out-early-2015 |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=10 December 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Opal top up machines coming to NSW train stations, ferry wharves, light rail stops |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/opal-topup-machines-coming-to-nsw-train-stations-ferry-wharves-light-rail-stops-20141209-1234tj.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=10 December 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> The first generation machines can only provide top ups with a debit or credit card. Second generation machines provide top ups and can also sell single trip tickets. There are two types of second-generation machines - the difference between the types is the ability to accept cash in addition to electronic payment. On 11 March 2015 the first top up machines became available at the recently opened [[Edmondson Park station (Sydney)|Edmondson Park]] and [[Leppington station (Sydney)|Leppington]] railway stations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top up machines now available |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/where-can-i-use-it/find-an-opal-card-top-up-machine/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=11 March 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100701/https://www.opal.com.au/en/where-can-i-use-it/find-an-opal-card-top-up-machine/ |archivedate=2 April 2015}}</ref> This had been extended to nearly 100 stations and wharves by July 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top up machines now available |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/get-an-opal-card/find-an-opal-card-top-up-machine/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=4 May 2016 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> In 2016 the second generation machines were being installed, with 58 of the credit card only and 118 of the cash and credit card machines installed as at 23 June.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal single trip tickets – Customer trial |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/get-an-opal-card/opal-single-trip-tickets/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=4 May 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611142700/https://www.opal.com.au/en/get-an-opal-card/opal-single-trip-tickets/ |archivedate=11 June 2016}}</ref>

===Opal readers===
[[File:Cc-Opal reader 20180408.jpg|thumb|150px|Opal reader on a standalone pole]]
Opal readers are used to tap on or off. They are installed atop existing ticket barriers, or mounted on a stand-alone pole at railway and metro stations, light rail stops or ferry wharves. Buses are the exception, with readers installed on the bus itself. The rollout of Opal technology has seen a new style of gates introduced at a number of major stations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fare dodgers to face new hurdles at ticket gates |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/fare-dodgers-face-new-hurdles-ticket-gates |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=27 August 2015 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> When tapping on or off, all readers display the current balance of the card or an error message if the tap failed to work. Tap offs also display the fare deducted for the trip. A trip that is part of an existing journey will display "transfer" when tapping on.

Non-adult Opal cards have their own distinct 'ding' when tapping on or off, in addition to having a light mounted atop a train station or ferry wharf barrier lit up, allowing for Transport Officers and police to identify and enforce correct fares.

The design of the cigar-shaped Opal poles won the Transport category of the Sydney Design Awards, the Australian International Design Award and the Powerhouse Museum Design Award.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal Card Ticket Reader |url=http://sydneydesignawards.com.au/SDA2013/entry_details.asp?ID=12334&Category_ID=5275 |publisher=Sydney Design Awards |date= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Opal Card Ticketing Reader |url=http://www.gooddesignaustralia.com/awards/past/entry/opal-card-ticketing-reader/?year=2013 |publisher=Good Design Awards |date= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711121909/http://www.gooddesignaustralia.com/awards/past/entry/opal-card-ticketing-reader/?year=2013  |archivedate=11 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cubic Opal Card System’s Reader Wins Third Award; Now Featured at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum |url=http://cts.cubic.com/AboutUs/News/News/tabid/434/ID/276/Cubic-Opal-Card-Systems-Reader-Wins-Third-Award-Now-Featured-at-Sydneys-Powerhouse-Museum.aspx |publisher=Cubic Transportation Systems |date=7 November 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321073412/http://cts.cubic.com/AboutUs/News/News/tabid/434/ID/276/Cubic-Opal-Card-Systems-Reader-Wins-Third-Award-Now-Featured-at-Sydneys-Powerhouse-Museum.aspx |archivedate=21 March 2014}}</ref>

==Supporting products and services==
Transport for NSW operates the Opal website and a 24/7 phone hotline for customer service, card top ups, orders and inquiries. It provides an "Opal Travel" app for Android and iOS devices. The app includes a trip planning facility, allows Opal card top ups and provides access to Opal card data.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal Travel App |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/get-an-opal-card/opal-travel-app/ |work=opal.com.au |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=4 September 2016}}</ref> Android devices that include near field communication hardware can scan an Opal card to access live data, including the card's balance, tap status (tapped on/off), weekly travel reward status, top up status and card number.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Where can I use it? |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/where-can-i-use-it/ |work=opal.com.au |accessdate=2015-09-05 |publisher=Transport for NSW}}</ref>

Beginning in January 2018, an Opal Park & Ride trial scheme was introduced at selected commuter car parks.<ref name=kogarah>{{cite web |url=https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/opal-park-ride-securing-more-parking-for-public-transport-customers |title=Opal park & ride securing more parking for public transport customers |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=4 August 2018 |accessdate=6 August 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806135429/https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/opal-park-ride-securing-more-parking-for-public-transport-customers |archivedate=6 August 2018 |deadurl=no}}</ref> Passengers are able to park their cars for free for up to 18 hours if they take public transport and use the carpark using the same Opal card.<ref name=opalparkride>{{cite web |url=https://transportnsw.info/travel-info/ways-to-get-around/drive/transport-parkride-car-parks |title=Transport Park&Ride car parks |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=6 August 2018}}</ref> The scheme is intended to reduce the number of spaces used by those who aren’t catching public transport.<ref name=kogarah />

Transport for NSW also sells a number of mobile phone case accessories that incorporate a pocket for the Opal card.<ref>{{cite web |title=Transport for NSW - Online Shop |url=http://shop.transportnsw.info |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |date= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>

===OpalPay===
First introduced in December 2017, OpalPay is a facility allowing Opal cards to be used to pay fares on a number of privately-owned services that operate independently from Transport for NSW's contracted services and on on-demand minibus services.<ref>{{cite web |title=Use your Opal card on Inner West On Demand services, My Fast Ferry and SeaLink/Captain Cook Cruises |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/news/opalnews/news_26June2018.html |website=opal.com.au |date=28 June 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806133645/https://www.opal.com.au/en/news/opalnews/news_26June2018.html |archivedate=6 August 2018 |deadurl=no}}</ref> Fares on these services are set by the owner of the service and Opal's regular discounts do not apply. Concession fares are accepted on some services.<ref name=innerwest>{{cite web |url=https://transportnsw.info/news/2018/on-demand-public-transport-services-for-inner-west |title=On Demand public transport services for the Inner West |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=6 July 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706101035/https://transportnsw.info/news/2018/on-demand-public-transport-services-for-inner-west |archivedate=6 July 2018 |deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name=easternsuburbs>{{cite web |url=https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/on-demand-public-transport-changes-for-eastern-suburbs |title=On Demand public transport changes for Eastern Suburbs |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=6 August 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806131838/https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/on-demand-public-transport-changes-for-eastern-suburbs |archivedate=6 August 2018 |deadurl=no}}</ref>

==Reception and usage==
By June 2016, 7.7 million cards had been issued. The most widely used card types (in descending order) were Adult, Senior/Pensioner, Child/Youth and Concession.<ref>{{cite web |title=Transport for NSW 2015-16 Annual Report Volume 1 |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/publications/tfnsw-annual-report-2015-16-volume-1.pdf |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=18 November 2016 |page=18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118164655/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/publications/tfnsw-annual-report-2015-16-volume-1.pdf |archive-date=2016-11-18 |dead-url=yes}}</ref>

Two billion trips had been taken on the Opal network by May 2018. An average of 13 million trips were taken each week and there were more than 3.7 million Opal cards in active use.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal celebrates two billion customer trips and $160 million in savings |url=https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/opal-celebrates-two-billion-customer-trips-and-160-million-savings |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=1 May 2018}}</ref>

Transport for NSW has stated that customers forget to tap off after about 3% of journeys, so they are charged the default fare.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/opal-takeup-rate-soars-20140522-38rf6.html |title=Opal take-up rate soars |date=22 May 2014 |accessdate = |work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>

The Opal electronic ticketing system has won a range of awards reflecting excellence in design for its unique card reader poles used at ungated ferry wharves, light rail stops and railway stations. In addition, the project and its implementation were recognised for excellence by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia. Opal was awarded Australia’s 2014 Smart Infrastructure Project of the Year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal wins National Infrastructure Award |url=http://www.nsw.gov.au/news/opal-wins-national-infrastructure-award/ |publisher=New South Wales Government |date=13 March 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sydney's Smart Card Wins Smart Infrastructure Award |url=http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wt/releases/2014/March/wt035_2014.aspx |publisher=Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development - Australian Government |date=13 March 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321070935/http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wt/releases/2014/March/wt035_2014.aspx |archivedate=21 March 2014}}</ref>

The introduction of Opal created debate over the different fare structures of Opal and the former MyZone paper tickets. Despite being cheaper than single cash fares, Opal single fares were more expensive than the bus and ferry TravelTens, and Opal provides no equivalent to the all-you-can-use MyTrain or MyMulti periodical tickets.<ref name="opalornot">{{cite news |title=Take-up of Opal card low as site shows trips are more expensive |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/takeup-of-opal-card-low-as-site-shows-trips-are-more-expensive-20140305-346kl.html |last=Saulwick |first=Jacob |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=5 March 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307144605/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/takeup-of-opal-card-low-as-site-shows-trips-are-more-expensive-20140305-346kl.html |archivedate=7 March 2014}}</ref> An unofficial fare comparison site called ''Opal or Not'' claimed that more than half of all the public transport trips it compared were more expensive using Opal than with paper tickets.<ref name="opalornot"/> Transport for NSW disputes the site's findings, calling it "riddled with errors" and stating that only 7% would "potentially" pay more, but refused to release the analysis behind that figure.<ref name="opalornot"/>

In addition, the initial lack of transfer benefits was criticised. Corinne Mulley, the chair of the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, described the launch of the card as a "missed opportunity" since, at the time, Opal retained many of the "interchange penalties" of paying for transfers, and Opal was more expensive than MyMulti for some multi-modal commuters.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fares fair for some, but Opal is not the ticket for all |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fares-fair-for-some-but-opal-is-not-the-ticket-for-all-20131011-2vdum.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |last=Saulwick |first=Jacob |date=12 October 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011230209/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fares-fair-for-some-but-opal-is-not-the-ticket-for-all-20131011-2vdum.html |archivedate=12 October 2013}}</ref> Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian rejected the criticism, stating that "we believe that customers should pay for the mode they are using".<ref>{{cite news |title=Opal smartcard debuts on Sydney buses |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/opal-smartcard-debuts-on-sydney-buses-20130926-2ufpj.html |last=Saulwick |first=Jacob |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=26 September 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926023311/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/opal-smartcard-debuts-on-sydney-buses-20130926-2ufpj.html |archivedate=26 September 2013}}</ref>

===Privacy===
Significant privacy issues have been raised, as Opal travel information is available to government departments without a warrant.<ref name="smhPrivacyUni">{{cite web |title=Student Opal card privacy concerns limit university participation |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/student-opal-card-privacy-concerns-limit-university-participation-20141228-12c0y9.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=29 December 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> Among those who have expressed concerns have been New South Wales Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Coomb, the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association of NSW, and the University of Sydney.<ref name="smhPrivacyUni"/>

During the Opal card customer trial period, all Opal cards were required to be registered with the customer's personal information. This allowed for feedback and issues to be recorded against an individual's account. Registered cards offer the ability to protect the balance and transfer it to a new card, if a card is lost, stolen or damaged. Data is made available to other NSW government departments and law enforcement agencies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opal Privacy Policy |url=https://www.opal.com.au/en/asset/c96bc3e6-b501-4180-a018-1096503a625e/privacy_policy.pdf |accessdate=2015-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151301/https://www.opal.com.au/en/asset/c96bc3e6-b501-4180-a018-1096503a625e/privacy_policy.pdf |archive-date=2015-04-02 |dead-url=yes}}</ref> Concerns about privacy have been repeatedly raised in the mainstream media, with commentators questioning the extent to which user data can be accessed by authorities.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Riemer |first1=Kai |title=Privacy has taken a back seat amid the Opal debate |url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/privacy-has-taken-a-back-seat-amid-the-opal-debate-20130610-2o09a.html |accessdate=9 June 2014 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.zdnet.com/au/sydney-opal-card-travel-history-can-be-accessed-by-police-7000031048/ |title=Sydney Opal card travel history can be accessed by police |work=zdnet |date=30 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/consumer-security/no-warrants-needed-to-access-opal-card-records-20140714-zt02j.html |title=No warrants needed to access Opal card records |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Since July 2014, unregistered adult and child/youth Opal cards have been available.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.transportnsw.info/en/transport-status/news/2014/unregistered-opal-cards.page? |title=Unregistered Opal cards now available from retailers}}</ref> In December 2014, University of Sydney delayed collaboration with the new Opal card system, citing privacy concerns,<ref>{{cite news |title=Student Opal card privacy concerns limit university participation |first=Pallavi |last=Singhal |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/student-opal-card-privacy-concerns-limit-university-participation-20141228-12c0y9.html |date=29 December 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229173148/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/student-opal-card-privacy-concerns-limit-university-participation-20141228-12c0y9.html |archivedate=29 December 2014}}</ref> whereas Macquarie University, University of New South Wales and Australian Catholic University had already agreed to provide the "student data" to the card network.

==See also==
* [[Transport in Sydney in the 2010s]]
* [[wikipedia:Oyster card|Oyster card]], London's smartcard system which the Opal card is based on

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Attribution:en.wp|name=Opal card|link=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Opal_card&oldid=883150889}}

[[Category:Public transport in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Contactless smart cards]]
[[Category:Fare collection systems in Australia]]