BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS
The cancellation of most paper tickets from the beginning of next year will negatively affect pensioners, according to analysis conducted by the Combined Pensions and Superannuants Association.
The CPSA has suggested that Opal cards are not suitable for pensioners, as many pensioners do not have sufficient funds in the bank for automatic top-ups and a significant proportion of train stations do not have a manual top-up machine.
The analysis found that only 27 per cent of train stations in NSW have a top-up machine. It found that 30 per cent do not have a top up retailer within one kilometer of the station. An additional 15 per cent have a top up machine which is more than 400 meters from the station.
Amelia Christie, Manager Research and Advocacy at CPSA said that the findings of the analysis were “grim”.
“Paper pensioner tickets are being scrapped in three weeks. That means it’s three weeks until pensioners (and other commuters) face walking kilometres just to top up their card,” Ms Christie said.
“Many pensioners have no alternative except to top up at Opal card machines because they may not always have enough money in the bank for automatic top-ups,” she said.
She also pointed out that the retail top up options which were near stations usually were not wheelchair accessible
She also said that the operating hours of nearby retailers did not always mirror the train timetable, and could not always be counted on to be operating.
“CPSA calls on the NSW Government to keep paper tickets in place until the rail network provides accessible Opal card top up points at all stations,” Ms Christie said.
Earlier this month Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced an expansion of retailers and outlets where people can pick up and top up an Opal card.
In a statement, he urged people to move to Opal.
“It’s just four weeks until most types of old style paper tickets are phased out on New Year’s Day, so it’s time to move to Opal,” Mr Constance said.
