February 2, 2015
Students among first to receive Concession Opal card
UOW students are among the first in New South Wales to be eligible for the Concession Opal card, allowing cheaper and more convenient travel just in time for autumn session.
Today (Monday 2 February) Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian announced UOW was one of seven tertiary intuitions (and the only regional university) across the state to be part of the Concession Opal card roll out, with eligible students able to apply for their Opal card from 16 February.
Ms Megan Huisman, Director of Student Services, said UOW had been working with Transport for NSW to ensure students were able to apply for the 50 per cent discount on already cheaper Adult Opal fares for trains, buses, light rail and Sydney Ferries before Orientation week starts on 24 February.
“We are excited to be one of the first universities to be part of the Concession Opal card roll out, which will give our students easier access to cheaper fares, weekly travel rewards, and the convenience of never having to queue for a ticket again,” she said.
Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said the Concession Opal, which would eventually be available to more than 250,000 tertiary students across the state, provides students with cheaper fares, daily travel caps and weekly travel rewards, providing free travel after eight paid journeys in a week.
“As well as cheaper and more convenient travel to classes, free travel rewards and a $2.50 Sunday travel cap, tertiary students with Opal have an incentive to catch public transport on weekends and explore popular tourist destinations such as the Blue Mountains and the Hunter – without breaking their budget.”
To apply for a Concession Opal Card, students need to enrol as a full time tertiary student (international students can only apply if on an approved Australian Government scholarship) and apply for a card on the Opal website or over the phone by calling 13 OPAL (13 67 25).
For more information on how to apply for an Opal card, visit uow.edu.au/student/central/travelpasses.