Opal system receives $820 million overhaul

0:00A massive overhaul to the opal system is on the way, improving the way you pay for and travel on public transport. The $820 million upgrade will update the tech for all types of payments and finally track down phantom buses, Taylor Aiken reports. Good afternoon. Well, it's been a part of the New South Wales Public Transport Network for more than a decade, but soon the opal system is set for a major overhaul. In an $820 million upgrade, the opal card system will be digitised to a cloud account, making it easier for people to move around the city on different modes of public transport. More of a bespoke experience for people that use public transport every day. 25,000 opal card readers will be replaced in what will be the biggest change to the system since its inception 13 years ago.

1:00This takes technology that is 30 years old and projects us into the future with so much more opportunity. The new system will also come with an improved app, giving personalised trip alerts, more accurate patronage data, improve free travel integration for major events and allow automatic adjustment for incorrect fares. People are far more likely to save money, in fact, save significant money using this new system. The bus network is also drew for an overhaul, with information screens to be installed on board nearly 5,000 buses also set to eliminate so-called ghost buses. Buses that appear on the app appear online but don't appear in real life will come to an end. The upgrades are mainly software based, so passengers won't notice any major differences to their daily ride, with the rollout expected to be completed over the next two years.