Where to buy a train ticket? These days the answer seems to be anywhere but the railway station.
With the introduction of the new paperless Opal ticketing system, many Mountains residents are finding travelling more difficult.
Jonathan Llewellyn, from Mt Victoria, said the only store in his village which sells Opal cards or top-ups isn’t open early enough for many commuters
“And it’s closed by the time we get home again,” he said.
He was also concerned about infrequent travellers who might be caught out.
“Like little old ladies who go to the city once or twice a year and have that expectation, as you do in the rest of the world, that you can buy a ticket at the station.”
The shop at Mt Victoria is nearly half a kilometre from the station. At least the village has one. There is nowhere at all at Medlow Bath, Bullaburra, Woodford, Linden, Faulconbridge, Valley Heights, Warrimoo and Lapstone.
Transport for NSW said there were many top-up machines in the network but Mr Llewellyn had a different point of view.
“Not everyone is travelling in the suburban environment where there are lots of vendors that do the top up. When you get out towards the ends of the network, you’ve got very different scenarios.”
A Transport for NSW spokesman said there were 12 Opal retailers in Mt Victoria, Blackheath, Katoomba, Wentworth Falls, Lawson, Hazelbrook and Springwood.
“Customers can also top up cards and get an adult or child/youth single trip ticket at Opal machines on the Katoomba, Leura, Wentworth Falls, Hazelbrook, Springwood, Blaxland and Glenbrook train stations.
“Another easy option for customers is to select ‘auto top-up’ so they never have to manually do it again.”
But Mr Llewellyn said many people live day to day and don’t have the extra funds available.
“It’s not good for commuters, not good for pensioners and seniors, not good for visitors or tourism, not good for infrequent travellers.
“It’s great for revenue raising for fines for people who need to travel but can’t buy an Opal card or top up.”