Public transport mistake every Sydneysider is making

News.com.au

01-07-2025

Two expats living in Sydney have unearthed a huge misconception about the city's public transport system — and it turns out plenty of commuters are making the same mistake.
Rebecca is an Irish expat living in Sydney, and has been using the city's public transport system to get around. She'd been using her bank card to tap on and off – as many of us do – meaning a holding fee of $1 was taken every time.
But Rebecca thought that was all she was being charged each time, not realising the true amount was taken out at a later date.
'Guys help I've been living in Sydney for seven months and just realised public transport isn't just $1 every time I tap,' she said in a social media video.
'Is this common knowledge? Am I actually dumb?'
The Irish expat isn't the only person to make this mistake. Isabel, another Irish visitor living in Sydney, said it took her five months to realise.
'$300 already this month alone,' she captioned her video after realising what she'd actually spent on public transport.
Social media users had a huge reaction to the trend of commuters discovering that public transport in Sydney was not $1 per trip. Some understood, saying they had the same realisation, while others passed judgement.
'In Brissy every transport mode no matter how far you go is $0.50,' one person commented.
Another said: 'Do you not check your bank statements or have the app notify you when money is taken out? I'm so nervous about fraud charges I see every cent that leaves my account!'
'Get yourself an Opal card it's cheaper than using your bank card,' one person said.
Another added: 'I'm still convinced it's $1, my acc never gets charged.'
'No one tells you it's not $1. I thought it was $1. Why don't they advertise it or smth [sic],' one person commented.
Another admitted: 'It's taken me years to figure that out. I don't take public transport much though.'
'I fear this is common knowledge, but I was born here so it's probably more expected for me to know this,' another added.
One person chimed in: 'I somehow racked up an extra $90 worth of charges from Transport NSW after spending a week-ish in Sydney LOL I thought my card got stolen.'
'Not dumb. Every state has different price systems. Some free on weekends some not. Different rates at different times. All over the joint,' another offered.
Someone else commented: 'Nope. I've been here for two years nearly and have just found out recently about it. Tell me you don't check your bank statements, without telling me you don't check them.'
A spokesperson for Transport NSW cleared up the confusion about the $1 hold.
'Transport for NSW aims to make travel as seamless as possible for all users, including the more than 60 per cent of adult passengers who opt to use their credit or debit card or phone,' the spokesperson told news.com.au.
'When a passenger taps on using a credit or debit card or linked device, a pre-authorisation amount of $1 is held temporarily. This will appear as a pending transaction and is not indicative of your travel fare.
'The reason for this is to account for additional travel and accumulated fares across the day, rather than charging your card multiple times over multiple transactions. The total cost is then processed at 4am the day after travel, replacing the $1 hold amount,' the spokesperson continued.
'Charges will appear as 'Transport for NSW Tap' or 'Transport for NSW travel Sydney'.'
From July 14, Opal fares and single trip tickets will rise by an average of 2.5 per cent. For adults, Monday to Thursday will have a cap of $19.30. Fridays, the weekend and public holidays will have a daily cap of $9.65.
Children will have a daily cap of $9.65, with weekends and public holidays have a cap of $4.80. The Sydney Airport Station Access fee will also increase.
Weekly fares are still capped at $50 for Adults and $25 for Child/Youth and Concession card holders, and Seniors and Pensioners won't pay more than $2.50 per day.