The Opal Next Generation Ticketing System project would see an upgrade to the NSW Opal system as part of the OpalNext Gen upgrade. The upgrade includes integrating Opal cards into a digital wallet and develop a Mobility as a Service app, known as Opal Plus.
The investment is intended to deliver a connected and personalised 'plan, book and pay' experience across public and private modes of transport throughout Greater Sydney and outer Metro.
The project consists of two packages.
The ABT Solution package includes:
- delivery and support of a new account-based ticketing back office to enable account-based fare calculation and payment, and
- the supply, delivery, management and maintenance of validators and upgraded gates.
The Bus Solution package includes:
- the delivery of a new back-office for the bus fleet, and
- the supply, delivery, management and maintenance of the on-bus equipment.
Key Dates
| Jun 2022 | Project Announcement |
| Jul 2024 | RFP Open |
| Oct 2024 | RFP Close |
| Apr 2026 | Contract Award |
| 2027 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| 2028 | Expected Construction Completion |
Funding contributions
| NSW Government | |
|
In the NSW 2022-23 Budget, $587 million of conditional funding was committed over three years. $159 million of this was intended for 2022-23. |
|
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Transport for NSW |
| Successful Tenderer: | INIT to deliver the Account Based Ticketing system and Trapeze Group to deliver the Bus Solution |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Jun 2022 | The NSW Government announced the project, with the 2022-23 NSW Budget allocating $569 million to the project over the next four years, including $159 million in FY2022-23. |
| Dec 2022 | Invitation for market sounding opens, closing 25 January 2023. |
| Dec 2023 | Request for Proposal is targeted for release in the first half of the 2024 calendar year. |
| Jul 2024 | TfNSW issued a Request for Proposals, seeking proponents to deliver the Account Based Ticketing Solution package and the Bus Solution package, closing on 23 October. Under the new retail solution, the card balance is moved off the Opal card to the ABT Back Office in a Fare Media Account. |
| Apr 2026 | Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) awarded two contracts for the program, to INIT to deliver the Account Based Ticketing system and Trapeze Group to deliver the Bus Solution. Development of the system will progress in 2026, with the delivery of hardware installation expected to commence in 2027 and be complete in 2028. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2026)
Sector
Other Transport
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Service Contract |
Location
New South Wales |
Resources
Government resources
2023/08/02 Invitation for market sounding2023/12/15 Notice of Request for Proposal
