Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.

Allan Miles, secretary of Action for Public Transport, said that the prices of all bus and train tickets would increase in January, and people should order or stock up now on tickets at the current price.

"Price rises are yet to be approved," Mr Miles said, "but they are unlikely to vary from those recommended by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART)".

Mr Miles said that from January, a yearly rail ticket from Macarthur to Central would cost about $2,054 instead of $1,931 today. "Between Lindfield and Central the price would rise from $1,314 to $1, 396," he said. But he emphasised that tickets must be ordered before the price rise is announced to take advantage of the lower fare for the full period.

"Commuters who order yearly TravelPasses now, before increases are approved, can save $40 on a Blue TravelPass, $80 on a Green or Yellow one, $120 on a Red one and $160 on a Pink or Purple TravelPass", Mr Miles said. "The increase on the Red TravelPass is severe," he said, "over seven percent."

"Frequent bus users can also save by stocking up on TravelTens," Mr Miles said. "Tickets for up to 9 sections will increase by 80 cents and for 10 or more sections by $1.60." Mr Miles said that these tickets have no expiry date.

Mr Miles said that single PrePay bus tickets can also be bought now at the current price and used at any time in the future.

"There has been no application for a rise in government ferry fares," Mr Miles said, "nor is any rise expected in the $2.50 price of a Pensioner Excursion Ticket".

Contact: Allan Miles 9516-1906