Yahoo Finance ‘A nightmare’: Commuters swindled by new contactless Opal card roll-out
Just last month contactless payments were rolled out across the entire Sydney Opal network, which meant bus commuters and American Express cardholders could reap the same benefits as Opal card users.
But it seems not everyone is happy with the change, with some unlucky commuters being overcharged for regular trips.
James Brechney took to Twitter to voice his concerns after the Opal system charged him $31 for a regular Redfern to Lidcombe trip.
Also read: Bye-bye Opal card: Contactless available on entire Sydney public transport network
Also read: Forgot to tap off with your Opal? This is what it’ll actually cost you
Also read: Commuter win as government SLASHES Opal fees
“The Transport NSW credit card tap is failing - Here are 2 train trips I made on Monday (1 in the morning and home at night) - the system charged me $31!” He said on Twitter.
“Strongly advise you all keep using your Opal Cards. If I want my money back I have to fill out a two page form.”
The Transport NSW credit card tap is failing - Here are 2 train trips I made on Monday (1 in the morning and 1 home at night) - the system charged me $31! Strongly advise you all keep using your Opal Cards. If I want my money back I have to fill out a two page form... pic.twitter.com/cyciCmoOmh
— James Breko (@breko) September 5, 2019
But Brechney isn’t the only one to experience larger fees.
One user took to Reddit after they were charged $12.40 for a regular trip.
“PSA to check your credit card taps on public transport. Opal treated my tap off as a second tap on, and then billed me the maximum fare for both.”
Reddit users replied to the thread, calling the Transport NSW refund process a ‘nightmare’.
“Constant overcharging and a ridiculously painful refund process to get it reimbursed is what made me switch back to Opal cards,” another said.
Another was charged $7.20.
“I’m going to stick to my Opal, I had to use my card because I lost my Opal and they for some reason charged me $7.20? I didn’t even know there was a $7.20 option. I’m honestly confused.”
I’ve been overcharged. What can I do?
If you’ve been overcharged by Opal when using a contactless payment method, commuters can fill out a two-page form available on the Opal website.
But, Opal has urged customers to read how the new contactless system works, as it’s different to how regular Opal cards work.
For example, if you’ve got more than one contactless card, you should separate the cards to avoid ‘card clash’.
On top of that, whatever method you used to tap on, you should use that same method to tap off.
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