Paper tickets can no longer be used on trains and buses in Maitland from 1 August, the NSW Government announced today.

Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said it was important for people to prepare so they were not caught out next month.

“It’s disappointing this announcement has been made in the confusion surrounding the federal election, and giving people only four weeks’ notice,” Ms Aitchison said.

“We need to make people have the right information.”

From August, to travel on public transport in Sydney and surrounding regions you will need an Opal card or an Opal single trip ticket. Single trip tickets are only available in two fares, adult or child/youth. Concession travellers require a Concession Opal Card or Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card with proof of entitlement.

An Opal single-trip ticket, available from ticket machines, will cost 20% more than the equivalent fare on an Opal card.

Previously purchased paper tickets will not be accepted for travel from 1 August, so commuters with trips remaining on tickets such as TravelTen will need to contact Transport for NSW for a refund.

Visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/ or phone 131 500 to get a refund.

Opal cards can be bought from the following Maitland retailers: Maitland Railway Café, Woolworths Pender Place, Maitland West End Newsagency, Telarah newsagency, Rutherford Marketplace newsagency, NewsXpress Lawes Street East Maitland, Service NSW Maitland (4 Garnett St East Maitland), Woolworths Green Hills, Coles Green Hills, Tenambit newsagency, Thornton post office, and Thornton newsagency.