Public transport costs could rise by almost half

Weekly public transport costs for Peninsula residents could rise substantially - in some cases by almost 50 per cent - if IPART's proposed reforms to Opal transport fares are adopted by the NSW Government.

The weekly fare from Woy Woy to Central could rise by 25 per cent over two years from $60 to $75 a week, while the weekly fare from Woy Woy to Tuggerah will increase by 48 per cent to $57 with the changes to be implemented in July.

The current $60 per week cap will go up to $65 per week in July, meaning the maximum increase for commuters who already reach the cap would be $5 or eight per cent, according to IPART chairman Dr Peter Boxall.

IPART proposes increasing the weekly cap to $70 in 2017 and $75 in 2018 - 25 per cent higher than the current cap.

The draft reforms would apply a daily cap of $18 from July 2016, meaning that passengers taking a one-off return journey from Woy Woy to the city who currently pay $15, would pay $3, which is a 20 per cent increase.

A further increase of the daily cap is then planned, to $19 in 2017/18 and $20 in 2018/19.

Central Coast Greens spokesperson, Ms Kate da Costa has described the IPART proposals as a mixed bag for the Peninsula's commuters.

"Moving to integrated multi-mode fares is long overdue but other recommendations might stop people using public transport which is the opposite to what government policy should be," Ms da Costa said.

"We have real concerns about increasing the prices for seniors and pensioners with fares rising from $2.50 to $3.60 and upwards," she said.

"Why is the State Government seeking to increase revenue from some of the most vulnerable public transport users?

"We should be doing everything we can to get cars off the road including on weekends which are increasingly congested.

"Removing reduced price or free trips and introducing a complicated fare credit scheme will not promote public transport use.

"Coast users will be slugged again with increased fares for long-distance commuters.

"If speeds can't be improved because of the Cowan Rise, we are calling for the introduction of continuously available wifi and charging points in trains, so that commuters can negotiate with their employers to take work time on the train into account to shorten their day in the office, and gain back some valuable family time."

NSW Shadow Minister for Transport and infrastructure said a commuter travelling between 25 and 35km to and from work would face a yearly increase of $959.

Mr Park said a daily train journey from Woy Woy to Tuggerah would fall into that category.

Member for Gosford Ms Kathy Smith has said IPART's proposed reforms to Opal transport fares will not be in the best interests of the Peninsula community.

She said IPART assumed that only a minority of commuters make 10 public transport trips per week.

"To assume public transport users don't travel for 10 trips per week is naive or misleading," Ms Smith said.

"The majority of users are commuting to work to five day a week jobs hence they complete a minimum of 10 trips per week," she said.

She said the reforms also appeared to give preferential treatment to commuters using more than one mode of public transport.

According to Ms Smith this would also disadvantage commuters in the Gosford electorate, many of whom drive their own cars to Woy Woy (or Gosford train station) and then catch the train to and from work.

"The majority of train travellers also only use one form of transport.

"Of particular concern to me is the fact that the NSW Government no longer tracks passenger journeys.

"Instead a record is kept only of where people start their journey.

"How can this possible help with future planning?

IPART is now seeking community feedback on its draft fare reform package before a final report will be released next year.

Submissions will be accepted until February 5, 2016.

Any new fares would come into effect on 1 July 2016.

The Draft Report is available on IPART's website.

"We want to hear from passengers and taxpayers about what they want their fares to look like and how they prioritise different things where there are trade-offs to be made," Dr Boxall said. Media statement, 7 Jan 2016 Jane Letteri, office of Kathy Smith Media releases, 21 and 22 Dec 2015 Julie Sheather, Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Media release, 21 Dec 2015 Mehreen Faruqi, NSW Greens Media release, 21 Dec 2015 Ryan Gibb, Office of Ryan Park