mungbean Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 hi all, Currently trying to work out where I want to stay in Sydney... how good is the Light Rail system? Frequent, fast, reliable? I'll be working 15 mins walk from Glebe station so I'm wondering if it's worth looking around stations on the line to the west, as well as nearby. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainR Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 The light rail is okay, its a little slow and annoyingly doesn't accept the Opal card (similar to Oyster) but you can get the unlimited bus/train/light rail tickets on a weekly/monthly basis which are good value. Public transport in Sydney is very, very good in personal opinion. I'm sure you'll have no problems commuting on the light rail, its fairly modern, good stations and should be expanded at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungbean Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 (edited) Thanks @CaptainR I just found the journey planner at http://www.transportnsw.info/ and it seems that even from Dulwich Hill (end of the line) to Glebe is only 19 mins, which doesn't seem too slow. (Although I don't have much of a handle on distances there yet.) Edited January 23, 2015 by mungbean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungbean Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 According to this Opal card is accepted on the Light Rail now: https://www.opal.com.au/en/where-can-i-use-it/what-services-can-i-use-it-on/ The full implementation of the Opal card is complete across: All Sydney Trains. View Opal enabled Sydney Trains lines or Opal enabled train stations All NSW TrainLink Intercity services. View Opal enabled NSW TrainLink Intercity services or Opal enabled train stations All Sydney Ferries. View Opal enabled Sydney Ferries services Stockton Ferry in Newcastle. View Opal in Newcastle All light rail. View Opal enabled light rail services All buses in Sydney, Newcastle; and the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter and Illawarra. View Opal enabled bus services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CollegeGirl Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Yep, you can use Opal on Light Rail now. I've found Light Rail to be absolutely unbearably crowded around normal work hours to the point where I actually ended up preferring the bus. But if you're okay standing crammed in like a sardine, I do find their timetables to be *fairly* reliable and the trips to be pretty speedy for the most part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB88 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Yeah they recently switched to Opal for Light Rail. The tap stations aren't on board though, they are at the stops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungbean Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 I've found Light Rail to be absolutely unbearably crowded around normal work hours to the point where I actually ended up preferring the bus. But if you're okay standing crammed in like a sardine, I do find their timetables to be *fairly* reliable and the trips to be pretty speedy for the most part. Thanks, that's useful input. I used to travel to work on the Delhi metro, and standing up for an hour with your face in someone's armpit isn't a great start to the day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickyplum Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 (edited) Thanks, that's useful input. I used to travel to work on the Delhi metro, and standing up for an hour with your face in someone's armpit isn't a great start to the day! You'll probably find the light rail to be a breeze then! Yeah they recently switched to Opal for Light Rail. The tap stations aren't on board though, they are at the stops. That's good. When I was in Sydney last (Aug/Sep 2014) you got a free trip if the ticket seller/conductor didn't come along to in the time you were there for. I noticed a few people deliberately making sure they didn't have to buy a ticket. Edited February 8, 2015 by vickyplum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainR Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Great news about the Light Rail being on opal now, that must have happened in the last month or so. Certainly make it easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 hi all, Currently trying to work out where I want to stay in Sydney... how good is the Light Rail system? Frequent, fast, reliable? It's slower than the train but faster and more reliable than a bus. I find it a very pleasant, relaxed way to travel but that's because I tend to travel off-peak when it's half-empty. Having said that, you will be packed in like sardines on the buses, too, so you may as well choose the more predictable service. Dulwich Hill/Lewisham are good up-and-coming suburbs in the trendy inner west. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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