Opal Travel 4+

Much improved. But forced updates?!

The app has gotten way better than when first released. Initially I didn’t use it at all, because a third party app was better, but now it’s quite reasonable and can do most things I’m after (and it doesn’t require signing in every time I open the app - thank you!).
But this morning I was forced to upgrade the app as it would not allow me to open an out of date version of the app. “There must be something pretty important they’ve fixed,” I thought, because I haven’t seen this done in any other app I’ve ever used (apart from apps that can’t open when they have become incompatible with iOS updates). When I checked the App Store to download the update, the new version contains “minor UI updates”!? For something so trivial TfNSW are forcing me to download the update? Come on! For a major security flaw, that is fair enough and something other developers should actually look at implementing, but don’t lock me out of the app just because the new version looks slightly different. What if I was in a rush to catch a bus or train and trying to add credit to my Opal? Instead of ignoring the update so I could get to work on time, I’d need to update before doing anything and maybe miss the service I was after. If phone reception is bad that’d take even longer.
I think it’s a good thing you’ve worked out how to force users to update an app by not permitting an out of date app to be opened - but only use this power wisely and when really necessary. Please.

Best public transport system I’ve experienced

This is mostly a review for the public transport system. I always choose rail because buses are unreliable no matter where on earth you are. I have been on trains in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and my home city Sydney. When I was in Brisbane I was on a train that was running late so it skipped a station. I only have been on maybe 5 Qld trains and probably 30 Sydney trains in my life and it has never happened in Sydney which proves Sydney PT is better than Brisbane PT. The trains and stations are clean and there is always a nearby station. Most subway systems are dirty and the trains are old and uncomfortable. But on a Sydney Train the seats are comfortable and the trains
are modern. The downsides are that trains are at my station less often due to the fact that I live in a very suburban area with not many shops, business, etc. Although when I am travelling on a train i notice that there are benefits to the train not stopping at every station. It gets me faster where I need to go. So they just need to have trains running more often. Not sure if opal is in charge of this or transport for nsw. Also at the train station, on the screen it may say 2 minutes until the next train, that then changes to 3 then to 2 then to 1 then to 4. This is not a big problem but overall Sydney PT is a very good system.

Opal Travel App (Updated Review)

When I originally reviewed this app a week or so ago, I rated it 3 stars, unfortunately after using this app for about 1 and a half weeks, I’ve noticed a few things which has driven my rating down.

I’m still very disappointed that in 2023, Opal still Dosent have apple and for that matter google pay support, so you can’t tap on digitally.

I’m aware of the upcoming plans for Opal+ (A subscription version of Opal) and the fact that you can tap on via Apple Pay with a credit or debit card, but Opal+ likely won’t work for 50%+ users of the Opal network, and some of us have concession cards (e.g youth), so by tapping on via debit card we would be loosing our 50% discount.

Another thing to mention is that this app really should add widgets to both the Lock Screen and Home Screen, so we can check our balance at a glance, or maybe on the digital card it could show our balance inside of Apple wallet? Similar to how rewards card show how much points you have on the wallet pass.

Regardless, I still think the Opal app has amazing potential I just think the government needs to invest a little more time and money into it, and realistically with the way everything is going digital, it’s time for Opal to step up.

Cheers, Wayde.

Developer Response ,

Hi WaydeBoy,
Thank you for your feedback about using a physical Opal card to travel. Please note you can travel using a contactless credit/debit card linked to your digital wallet. More information is available at https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal/contactless-payments.
Transport for NSW is always working with web and app developers and technology experts to identify the newest solutions.

Your feedback has been forwarded to the app team for review.