University of Wollongong students could be using the Opal card on public transport when classes start up next year.
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On Friday, the government announced the introduction of the Opal concession card specifically for tertiary students, completing the Opal card rollout.
Those travelling on concession tickets have had the longest wait to get an Opal card - the adult, youth and senior/pensioner cards were all rolled out earlier this year.
As such, it's not surprising that Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian has been dealing with inquiries from university students who use public transport.
"Students are always asking me when they will be able to stop buying paper tickets and start using the Opal card," Ms Berejiklian said. "I am pleased we have been able to start the rollout of the concession Opal card from early next year, so students can take advantage of Opal's benefits, including cheaper fares, weekly travel rewards and the convenience of never having to queue for a ticket again."
The process to get a concession card is more involved than the others as each tertiary institute needs to do some set-up work in the first instance.
"Tertiary institutions need to get their processes and IT systems ready to be able to share eligibility information with Transport for NSW," a Transport for NSW spokeswoman said.
"Five tertiary institutions have done the work and signed up to Opal, and we expect more to come on board from early next year."
The University of Wollongong is not one of those five but Student Services Director Megan Huisman said they were working to give students access to the card from early next year.
‘‘UOW is currently working with Transport for NSW on the implementation of the Concession Opal Card in anticipation of this becoming available for eligible students from early 2015,’’ Ms Huisman said.
‘‘The University is updating its systems to be ready for the rollout of the Concession Opal Card and working towards offering our eligible students the opportunity to be part of the rollout.’’
Ms Huisman said the existing transport concession system will remain in place until the Opal card is rolled out.
There is likely to be a high take-up rate of the concession Opal card as the 2013 UOW Transport Access Survey found about 30 per cent of students and staff used public transport to travel to and from the university.
The fares on the concession will be 50 per cent cheaper than the standard Opal fares, which will also make it cheaper than the existing concession paper tickets.
Also, the Opal extras like free weekly travel after eight journeys and a $2.50 Sunday travel cap are available with the concession card.