Any Cheap Options for Public Transport in Sydney Now?

Question on 08/08/2017 - 13:03
Last edited 08/08/2017 - 13:59 by 1 other user

I used to take the bus to do grocery shopping and bought travel ten tickets for it. It was pretty affordable on a per trip basis…I forgot what it was, but I think it was about $1-1.50 per one way trip.

The opal card has massively hiked up the price now though. I just checked, and its $2.10 for the cheapest one way trip. Unless im reading it wrongly and its $2.10 for a two way trip, but I doubt its that generous. I mean, seriously, $4.20 for a trip to buy groceries is a pretty large ripoff. I recently moved farther away from the supermarkets and the nearest decent one is about 2 km away.

This hikes up the cost a lot, and im not eligible for any concession cards unfortunately. Are there any cheaper alternatives? I remember talking to someone a year or so ago and he was insisting that the travel ten tickets were here to stay and we could use either, but im pretty sure hes wrong as they have removed the old ticket machines from all the buses by now.

Travel

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2017 - 13:10
    +3

    your feet

  • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2017 - 13:14
    +11

    60 minute transfer. Do your shopping and tap back on within 1 he and your return trip will be cheaper.

    • Question on 08/08/2017 - 13:16

      One hour is a pretty short timeframe for that…

    • Hazzard on 08/08/2017 - 15:45
      +1

      Return trip will actually be free if tapped backed on within an hour. Have done this on both trains and buses.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2017 - 13:15

    https://www.opal.com.au/en/opal-fares/60_minute_transfer/

    • Question on 08/08/2017 - 13:20

      If im reading the opal site correctly, its not a one trip fare, they just combine the distance so you still have to pay more if it gets bumped up to the next tier anyway?

      • abb on 08/08/2017 - 13:38
        +2

        You will pay more than $2.10, but less than $4.20

  • retiredfeline on 08/08/2017 - 13:16

    Get old and get half price fares and $2.50 cap. Travelten, wasn't that in the age of dinosaurs?

    • ozbjunkie on 10/08/2017 - 03:02

      That's the metroten.

      Also, roar.

  • k-rokfm on 08/08/2017 - 13:20
    +6

    Bicycle

  • tsunamisurfer on 08/08/2017 - 13:24
    +2

    Go on Gumtree, get a bicycle for $50.

    Ride.

    2km ride is like 5 mins each way even with a heavy backpack.

  • cupcake on 08/08/2017 - 13:25

    Move closer to the supermarket.

  • John Kimble on 08/08/2017 - 13:41
    +7

    I mean, seriously, $4.20 for a trip to buy groceries is a pretty large ripoff.

    Seriously?

  • John Kimble on 08/08/2017 - 13:45
    +8
    • Walk with one of those granny trolleys
    • Shop on Sunday
    • Get it delivered
  • DemocracyManifest on 08/08/2017 - 13:54
    +2

    Getting it delivered is probably the better option because no bus fares/all the bs and you only buy what you need

    • Question on 08/08/2017 - 14:00

      Last i checked, coles delivery is pretty expensive though?

      • John Kimble on 08/08/2017 - 14:04
        +1

        It's $10. But if you use a Coles MC it's free if you spend over $100.

        • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2017 - 17:10

          Who spends over $100 on groceries?

          What are you buying?

        • John Kimble on 08/08/2017 - 17:20
          +1

          @eggmaster: It's very easy unfortunately. Stuff is expensive!

          We don't have a car so we ensure we buy in bulk and get over the $100 when we order, whether it be weekly or fortnightly…it varies.

          According to this the average is $163… So it's not as ridiculous as you think…

          http://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/sydney-house…

          How much do you spend?

        • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2017 - 20:15
          +1

          @John Kimble:

          I go shopping whenever I need something since it is under 5 mins walk from my home. My weekly grocery spend is under $50 for 2 people.

          What stuff is exp?

          $160 is like over 70 meals.

          I dont buy chocolate or chips or any of that shit. I also don't waste any food.

        • DemocracyManifest on 09/08/2017 - 00:21
          +1

          @eggmaster:

          I suppose for me 2 and a little one we meal plan quite a bit, a delivery once a month used to hep with all the basics. Unsure how much I save with a second freezer running all the time however. I haven't had a delivery for a year now. What are you making if you don't mind me asking

        • John Kimble on 09/08/2017 - 03:05

          @John Kimble: We try and wait till things are 1/2 price (or some sort of special) where possible and stock up.

          Stuff in can think of at 3 in the morning:
          - raw meat/fish
          - laundry liquid
          - dishwasher tablets
          - baby stuff eg nappies
          - toilet paper
          - cooking oil
          - women's stuff eg pads, facial cleansers
          - condoms (not as often as I'd like, haha)
          - alcohol
          - cheese
          - yoghurt

          We also try and meal plan, on occasion we waste a bit of food which we are actively trying to cut down on.

        • John Kimble on 09/08/2017 - 07:03

          @eggmaster: I accidentally replied to myself earlier. See https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/4955682/redir

      • iamw0man on 08/08/2017 - 14:14
        +1

        There are free slots if you get in early or use the right cc. Get cash rewards and keep on top of coles and woolies deals and it will work out. Do bulk shopping for the month and the $10 will even out.

      • iamw0man on 08/08/2017 - 16:24

        Just logged into my paypal to this message about Woolies. That will get you through this first month.

        $20 off + free delivery on your first shop
        Spend $150 or more on your first shop and use promo code PAYPALJULY. Valid til 31 August 2017.

  • John Kimble on 08/08/2017 - 14:06
    +5

    How have you been commuting/shopping since the travel tens were phased out completely? It's been a while…

  • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2017 - 14:09
    +1

    Cheapest travel ten I remember was $18.40 … no idea what the OP was buying for $10-$15?

    A round trip would cost $3.68 … it now costs $4.84 (not $4.20 as the OP claims) … the OP is complaining about a trip potentially costing $1.16c extra. It'll cost less than $3.68, if he can tap on again in less than 60mins.

    OP just needs to work on shopping in under 60mins.

    • John Kimble on 08/08/2017 - 14:15
      +1

      He's talking years ago when they were actually called travel tens…like 2010 or something. They've gradually gone up every year…I think the "mybus 1" were $19.20 when paper tickets were eventually phased out.

      Eg this from 2012 says $16.80…
      https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http…

    • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2017 - 15:08
      +2

      Top up the opal at woolworths using wish cards (via cashrewards). Brings the cost of a round trip down to $4.60.

      I'm sure most ozbargainers have hundreds of dollars in opal credit accumulated from amex shop small too…

  • John Kimble on 08/08/2017 - 14:17
    +8

    Walk there and catch a bus back! Why didn't I think of that earlier!

  • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2017 - 14:20
    +2

    Next the OP will be winging about the cost of postage … "I can get XXX shipped from china for <$1, but it costs $1 to post a letter to the same suburb and takes Y days"

    • cupcake on 08/08/2017 - 14:27

      I can pretty much reply to every post with "You, Sir… Are a whinger".

  • nubzy on 08/08/2017 - 15:05

    Public transport is very expensive in Sydney. Driving is too, but it really feels like it all evens out to me, and it sure is much more comfortable/quicker to get around!

    • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2017 - 15:12
      +1

      Public transport is very expensive in Sydney.

      It's all relative - take a look at what the Tube in London costs or Subway in New York/Tokyo.

      $62/week is comparable, once you adjust for FX and the crappy quality in Sydney.

  • altomic on 08/08/2017 - 15:59
    +2

    bikies

    • RockyRaccoon on 08/08/2017 - 21:42

      Boring!

      • D C on 08/08/2017 - 22:36
        +1

        No, he's talking about the new 'Bikie Uber'. Or was it "Uber Bikie", dunno.

        They can take you there and back, or do you shopping for you and deliver it. Marvelous.

        • RockyRaccoon on 09/08/2017 - 00:27

          Maybe but they are always "bikies" it. Like a broken record (for those old enough to know how they sound) So its not even funny anymore.

        • D C on 09/08/2017 - 00:46

          @RockyRaccoon:

          Like a broken record (for those old enough to know how they sound)

          Like a scratched record.

          Source: I'm old.

          But yeah, 'meme's' get old fast. And now you've reminded me of Reddit so I'm going to be irrationally angry for a short while.

  • Word on 08/08/2017 - 17:41

    Bike?

  • whooah1979 on 10/08/2017 - 06:05
    +2

    op, what have you been using between travel ten and opal?

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