Dear Editor,
Needing to go to Sydney, I was told that I now needed an Opal card to be able to travel by train. So, making enquiries I found I can’t get one at the Service NSW centre in Cowra, they’re not available in Canowindra, not able to be purchased at railway stations, so had to go to Service NSW in Orange to buy one.
So, having driven to Orange I went to Service NSW, to be met by an idle desk clerk, asked about my ‘service need’ and explained I wanted to buy an Opal card. She then consulted her ‘tablet’ and told me I needed to wait about 30 minutes to be interviewed by a ‘consultant’ who would be able to assist me.
30 minutes…to buy a train card…is this the best they can do. Why aren’t these seemingly now essential items available at railway stations, post offices or supermarkets. Why do I need a ‘consultant’ to ‘interview’ me before I can buy a train ticket? Trying to buy an Opal card online is just as bad. Will take my details, then my money, will send card in ‘next few days’. Several days later still no card. I can get a paper travel voucher online through Countrylink if I get the bus from Canowindra, but timetables are limited. For flexibility of travel, and to suit my itinerary, need the card based system.
Stephen Tamplin,
Canowindra