The MyZone system is a boon for longer distance travellers, meaning those catching public transport to the city by train will rake in the savings when the new prices come into effect on April 18.

Blue Mountains Commuter and Transport Users Association secretary Paul Trevaskis said the move was positive for Mountains commuters.

“The association welcomes the initiative of the NSW Labor Government with the reduction in fares for the Blue Mountains community and the changes in the ticketing system,” said Mr Trevaskis.

The new structure is set to simplify the ticketing process with five rail fare bands to replace the more than 20 that currently exist and bus bands reduced from five to three.

Member for Blue Mountains Phil Koperberg said MyZone will benefit commuters who combine travel on trains and buses (public and private) by replacing a number of different tickets with just one.

“This will make using public transport simpler and cheaper,” said Mr Koperberg. “The more public transport you use, the more you will save.

“This demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to getting people out of their cars and onto public transport.”

Savings will be particularly large for those travelling to Sydney from the Upper Mountains, with smaller cuts for those travelling shorter distances. A single adult train fare from Mount Victoria to Town Hall will drop by $6 to $7.80 while a weekly will fall $10 to $56.

From Lawson a trip to Town Hall will have $3.20 shaved off ($7 weekly) while those getting on at Glenbrook are at the bottom end of the fifth rail band and will therefore save only 80 cents on a single and will pay the same for a weekly.

The Opposition spokesman for the Blue Mountains Michael Richardson said while the savings were a positive, any subsequent increase in passenger numbers, on trains in particular, would cause its own problems.

“You might pay less for it but you’re going to have a much less comfortable ride,” said Mr Richardson. “You’ve got to actually have the trains to put people on. Overcrowding is a serious issue throughout the Sydney system.

“Unless they are prepared to put more trains on there are negatives to what the Government intends to do.”

For more information on the MyZone system visit www.myzone.nsw.gov.au.