The fare-free 12 days across Easter covers public transport in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter, and the Illawarra, and includes Metro, train, bus, light rail, and ferry services.

This initiative aims to help individuals and businesses recover from the social and financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic response, as well as recent adverse weather and disruptions to the rail network.

Transport Minister David Elliott said the free travel delivers some hip pocket relief and a boost to small businesses that have been doing it tough.

“To commuters affected by recent rail disruptions, I want to say a heartfelt thank you for your patience. I hope the Fare-Free 12 Days of Easter is a way for you to enjoy quality time with family and friends during the school holidays, while at the same time helping to revitalise our city centres and local communities,” Mr Elliott said.

"Head out and enjoy a long lunch on Eat Street in Parramatta, then stay for the Eels versus Tigers match on Easter Monday or commemorate Anzac Day in the city then enjoy a meal and a game of two-up, with public transport costs for the whole family on us."

Editor's Note: The Tigers are wooden spoon favourites, with zero wins from five matches so far. Eels are also firm favourites on Monday.

When does it start?

Free fares will apply from 4am on Thursday 14 April 2022 to 3:59am on Tuesday 26 April 2022, immediately following Anzac Day.

Which services are free?

The fare-free period covers all Opal network services in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter and the Illawarra, and includes metro, train, bus, ferry and light rail services.

Customers are reminded to still tap on and tap off all Opal enabled services.

What will I see when I tap on and tap off a reader?

During the fare free period, when riders travel with an Adult, Child/Youth, Senior/Pensioner or Concession Opal card, they will see a green screen with your card balance when they tap on successfully. When they tap off, a green screen will show ‘$0’ for the fare and the remaining balance on their card.

If riders travel using a credit or debit card, an Employee Opal card or free travel Opal card there is no change to the screens when they tap on and tap off. They will see a green screen with ‘Tap Success’.