Almost six months after the State Labor Government awarded Central Coast Ferries the Opal contract, passengers are still waiting for Opal card readers to be installed at local wharves.
Central Coast Ferries secured the contract at the beginning of April, yet commuters are still unable to tap on and off with their Opal cards and access the fare caps, concessions and discounts they are entitled to.
In May, Transport for NSW advised that a feasibility study was required before Opal infrastructure could be installed. Almost six months after the contract commenced, the same response is still being provided.
Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said passengers deserved more than another study and another delay.
“Six months to work out where to put an Opal card reader is simply not good enough, these readers should have been installed months ago.” Mr Crouch said.
“Pensioners, seniors, students and regular commuters should be able to access the same Opal benefits and fare caps available to passengers across the wider public transport network.”
“Instead, passengers are left high and dry, unable to tap on and off, while the ferry operator is being questioned every day about a problem they did not create and cannot fix. All they can do is direct frustrated passengers to a Transport for NSW phone number.”
“At a time when households are looking for every opportunity to save money, the Minns Labor Government should be making public transport easier and more affordable, not leaving Central Coast commuters waiting month after month for basic ticketing infrastructure.”
“Central Coast ferry passengers deserve a clear answer: when will the Opal card readers be installed?”