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

A transport consumer group has urged transit users to be ready for the new MyZone tickets that start next week.

Action for Public Transport (APT) secretary, Allan Miles, said, "Commuters should find out which ticket is best for them, and buy some before Monday morning."

"This will help avoid delays at ticket offices and on buses while passengers adjust to the new tickets," he said.

Mr Miles said that MyZone is a revolutionary step in Sydney's transport ticketing in which most existing train, bus, ferry and multi-mode tickets will be replaced by a simpler and broader system.

"In most cases, fares will be the same or less," he said.

"Information booths are being set up at 21 locations around Sydney and the Central Coast," Mr Miles said. "Commuters should visit these, or make enquiries by telephone or on-line or see http://www.myzone.nsw.gov.au/."

Mr Miles said that persons holding stocks of unused TravelTens or FerryTens do not need to rush to change them. "Machines will continue to accept unused tickets until 30th June," he said. "After that date, partly used or unused tickets can be handed in for a refund or for exchange with equivalent MyZone tickets."

"People holding longer term TravelPass or rail tickets can continue to use them until their expiry dates," Mr Miles said.

Mr Miles said that the simpler fare zones and the inclusion of private bus fares in MyZone will make it easier for non-transit users to get on board for the first time. "Many people find the complicated fare system and the need to buy two weekly tickets is too much hassle," Mr Miles said, "and they stay in their cars."

"A range of new MyMulti tickets will allow the holder to use nearly all public transport throughout the entire Greater Sydney area," Mr Miles said, "with no need to buy different tickets at change points."

"Infrequent bus users should buy a MyBus ten-trip ticket or a few one-trip tickets to keep in their pocket or purse," Mr Miles said. "They can be used anywhere, no matter what colour the bus is painted," he said, "and it helps the buses go faster."

Mr Miles said that some commuters will pay more, especially users of the withdrawn Blue TravelPass. "This is an unavoidable consequence of making the fares simpler," he said. Mr Miles suggested that Blue TravelPass users should take advantage of the wider range of bus, ferry and train travel available on the replacement MyMulti1 ticket to get full value from it.

Mr Miles said that while the new MyZone system is very good, some improvements are necessary. "There is no one-day ticket for the inner zones 1 and 2," he said. "The only all-day ticket covers all three zones and costs $20. That's fine for tourists going to Katoomba or Kiama," he said, "but too much for people needing to travel around their local area."

(Zone 1 extends approximately 10 km from the CBD and Zone 2 approximately 30 km.)

Mr Miles said that another shortcoming was the exclusion of the light rail, monorail and private ferries from MyZone.

"Given the ease with which the old order was swept away," Mr Miles said, "these deficiencies should be relatively easy to fix."

"We look forward to an even better MyZone experience after a review by the government or the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART)", he said.

Contact:	Allan Miles	9516-1906
	Kevin Eadie	9819-6052