Transportation in Sydney

Sad story, ‘instead of free travel after 8 paid journeys, customers will receive a 50% discount on opal card fares after 8 paid journeys during a week’’. Before I came to Sydney early this year, I’ve already heard about relevant discussion. Although the government promised to listen to citizen’s opinions, this decision was finally made. (Because the government did not get any profit from transportation these years? Maybe…)

The reason of changing opal card given by the government is that 70% of the citizens travel fewer than 8 times per week. However, a study by comparison service Finder revealed that 68% of the commuters would end up paying more for their travel. Those who travel more than 10 times per week may pay $4.9 more after the conduction of new opal card policy, which would be equal to an annual fare increase of around $255. To citizen, thinking in the long term, driving private cars could save a little bit money in some cases. As is mentioned by the Finder spokesman Bessie Hassan, this change must risk discouraging people from taking public transport, which may somehow bring pressure on the environment in Sydney.

Actually, the Sydney government has stressed sustainable transportation quite much in the past few years. For instance, the Sydney Airport works closely with the government to encourage utility of additional public transport services. Ten trains an hour is guaranteed now to stop at the two airport stations at peak times, which is 25% more than that in 2013. Moreover, the airport provides bicycle-parking racks at all three terminals, along with showering facilities at T1. The Sydney Airport is committed to raise the percentage of airport users using public transport by 30% from 2013 to 2019, and 40% from 2013 to 2033.

However, it seems new plans of encouraging utilities of public transportation is made, but at the same time, changes on old policies risk taking citizens away from public transportation. It should be doubtful whether sustainability could really achieve in Sydney transportation.

Reference:
https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/61168
http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/community-environment-and-planning/environment/sustainable-transport.aspx