Free Sydney Ferries? Transport for NSW Says Fares Still Apply
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Time to read 4 min
Just one day after Sydney ferry passengers were told they could expect almost four weeks of free travel, there’s been an important update.
The Maritime Union of Australia announced this week that Sydney Ferries workers would stop selling, collecting and validating fares from 12:01am Friday 11 September until 11:59pm Tuesday 6 October as part of ongoing protected industrial action.
The union said Opal readers would be switched off during the action, effectively allowing passengers to travel free.
Transport for NSW, however, says that won't be the case.
Transport for NSW says normal fares still apply
Transport for NSW has now advised passengers that Opal readers will remain active and normal fares will continue to apply.
Its current advice is clear: passengers travelling on Sydney Ferries should continue to tap on and tap off using a valid Opal card or contactless payment method.
According to ABC News, ferry operator Transdev Sydney Ferries considers physically deactivating the Opal readers to fall outside the protected industrial action notified by the Maritime Union of Australia.
The union, meanwhile, says its fare-related industrial action will still go ahead.
So, at least for the moment, we have two rather different versions of what passengers can expect when they arrive at the wharf on Friday morning.
So are Sydney Ferries free or not?
Based on the current official advice from Transport for NSW, no.
Passengers should plan to pay their normal fare and continue tapping on and off unless Transport for NSW issues further advice.
The MUA has maintained that its members will not sell, collect or validate fares during the industrial action, and has said passengers will effectively be able to travel free.
Exactly how that will work while Opal readers remain active is something we're yet to see.
The fare-related action is due to begin at 12:01am Friday 11 September, so the practical situation should become clearer once the action actually starts.
Ferry services may also be disrupted
The fare dispute isn't the only industrial action affecting Sydney Ferries.
Separate bans on overtime and certain work arrangements are already in place and are scheduled to continue until the end of September.
Transport for NSW says ferries are expected to continue operating, but passengers could experience cancellations, delays and service changes across the network.
Anyone planning to use the ferries should check current service information before travelling and allow additional time.
What should cruise passengers and visitors do?
For cruise passengers planning to explore Sydney by ferry before or after a cruise, there's no need to change your plans based on the fare dispute alone.
Sydney Ferries remain a fantastic and relatively inexpensive way to explore the harbour, with services to places including Manly, Watsons Bay, Taronga Zoo and Parramatta.
But for now, don't arrive at the wharf expecting a free ride.
Continue to tap on and tap off as normal unless Transport for NSW advises otherwise.
It's also worth checking the Opal Travel app or Transport for NSW website before travelling in case industrial action causes changes to your planned service.
What happens next?
This is still a developing situation.
The MUA says the fare action will proceed from Friday. Transport for NSW says the Opal readers will remain switched on and normal fares will continue to apply.
Once the industrial action begins, we'll have a much better idea of what passengers are actually encountering at Sydney ferry wharves.
We'll update this article as further information becomes available.
UPDATE TO OUR PREVIOUS REPORT
This follows our earlier report that Sydney Ferries were expected to be free during the industrial action, based on the MUA's announcement that Opal readers would be switched off.
Transport for NSW has since clarified that normal fares will continue to apply and passengers should continue tapping on and off.
Hi, I'm Kate!
I'm the creator of Voyage Ready and a BAS Agent and bookkeeper from regional NSW who loves cruising and travelling with my family (and occasionally working from a cruise ship somewhere in the middle of the ocean). I particularly love longer cruises with plenty of sea days, exploring new places at our own pace and finding practical ways to make family travel more affordable and less complicated.
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