Liberal candidates for Gosford, Terrigal and The Entrance welcome the announcement that a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will provide commuters with a yearly saving of up to $480 by cutting the weekly Opal cap by 20 per cent, putting more money back in the pockets of hardworking families.
Under the plan, the weekly adult cap will be cut from $50 to $40, while the cap for concession holders will be cut from $25 to $20.
Liberal candidate for The Entrance, Nathan Bracken, said this is a direct saving for all commuters - putting money back into the pockets of the people of the Central Coast.
"Locals of The Entrance electorate are among those that stand to make real savings and it's all thanks to the Perrottet Liberal Government's long term economic plan that will keep NSW moving forward." Mr Bracken said.
Liberal candidate for Gosford, Dee Bocking, said this will deliver more than a thousand dollars' worth of savings to some families who rely on public transport for their daily commute.
"Only a Perrottet Liberal Government will cut the cost of travel for the people of Gosford and across NSW thanks to our long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward." Ms Bocking said.
Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said for the average commuter who hits the cap every week and works 11 months of the year, this could provide up to $480 in transport cost relief.
"This weekly travel discount is yet another commitment a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will deliver to help ease cost of living pressures for families." Mr Crouch said.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said this would make a big difference to family budgets, putting more money back in their pockets for other weekly essentials.
"We recognise there are significant household budget pressures right now and that is why we will deliver significant cost relief for commuters," Mr Perrottet said.
"We will slash the weekly caps on public transport fares by 20 per cent, putting more money back in the pockets of hard working families.
"Commuters will be able to travel across the entire transport network – on our ferries, trains, metro, buses and light rail services – as many times as they like without paying more than $40 a week, while students and concession holders will only pay $20 a week.
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said if re-elected a Liberal Government would introduce the discount from May this year.
"The weekly savings on public transport fares will put cash back in the pockets of everyone who uses public transport regularly - for a family of two adults and 2 kids, this could mean an annual saving of nearly $1,400 a year in the household budget," Mr Elliott said.
"The reduced cap means Adult Opal card commuters will save $10 a week or $480 a year (based on 48 weeks of travel).
"The Child/Youth and Concession weekly Opal cap will also be reduced from the current $25 cap to $20 – a saving of $5 a week or $200 a year (based on 40 weeks travel for school/tertiary education)."
The weekly travel caps would be in place on all trains, metros, buses, light rail and ferries from 1 May 2023 to 30 June 2024 and would apply when you travel with an Opal card or credit card, debit card or linked device on public transport in the Opal network.
This weekly travel discount is in addition to $7 billion already delivered in cost of living measures including more than 70 rebates, like our $250 energy rebate, toll relief program, small business rebate, our active kids and creative kids vouchers, regional seniors travel card, first lap swim vouchers, solar for low income households program and more.
