MYZONE: NEWCASTLE TIMED TICKETING TO STAY
NSW Minister for Transport and Roads David Campbell today confirmed that the major overhaul of the public transport fares system will not affect Newcastle’s timed ticketing products.
Launching the MyZone ticketing and fare changes today, Mr Campbell said that the number of tickets required to use trains, buses and ferries would be significantly reduced with the new simplified fare band structure.
Based on our calculations, more than nine out of 10 MyZone journeys across the entire public transport network will be cheaper or the same price,” Mr Campbell said.
For example, people catching the train to Sydney Town Hall from Maitland will save up to $36 per week on current fares.”
For those train commuters who also use buses and ferries, the savings will be even greater.”
MyZone fares will apply across the entire RailCorp, State Transit, Sydney Ferries and Newcastle Buses and Ferries networks.
They will also apply across private bus networks and, in the Hunter Region will cover the services operated by Rover Coaches, Hunter Valley Buses and Port Stephens Coaches.
Minister for the Hunter, Jodi McKay, said the new ticketing system provided new cheaper options for commuters and retained the old timed tickets for commuters in Newcastle.
Commuters now have three options when it comes to buying ferry, bus or rail tickets, depending on where they travel,” Ms McKay said.
Commuters can continue to purchase a 1 hour, 4 hour or 23 hour timed ticket on Newcastle Buses services or buy a new MyBus Ten ticket for private bus services.
Alternatively, commuters can buy a new MyMulti ticket that gets them on all, Newcastle and private buses, trains and ferries.”
Ms McKay said retaining timed tickets meant commuters in Newcastle could continue to travel as normal.
While in some cases the new ticket options for the Hunter will be cheaper for commuters it’s important commuters retain the ability to purchase timed tickets,” Ms McKay said.
Over the past months, Robert Coombs, Matthew Morris, Sonia Hornery. Kerry Hickey, Frank Terenzini and I have worked hard to ensure timed tickets were not removed.
Retaining timed tickets along with the increase in choice for Hunter commuters is great news for the community.”
Free student travel under the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) and the Pensioner Excursion Tickets (PET) will remain unchanged.
Commuters can continue to use existing time-based tickets but if their travel requires other tickets, then MyZone tickets will be in use from 18 April 2010.
An extensive public information campaign will be released by the NSW Government so people have the time to understand the fare changes and purchase the correct new ticket type that best suits their travel needs,” Mr Campbell said.
For more information including new prices visit www.myzone.nsw.gov.au or call 131 500.
