Travel concessions for children and young people (4-15 years inclusive)

Eligibility

All children and young people aged 4 - 15 years (inclusive) are entitled to child fare (half fare) on regulated public transport services.

Young people in this age group may also be eligible for the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS), and can obtain half fare for any non SSTS travel they undertake.

Once a young person turns 16 years, they are required to pay adult fare except where they meet the eligibility criteria for a transport concession – such as senior secondary students, tertiary students, apprentices and trainees and jobseekers. To obtain concession fares, they must have a valid concession card.

Concession fares

Half fare for all travel (also referred to as Child Fare). Concession fares may vary on services where the operator determines the cards and entitlements to be provided on the service, such as on light rail services.

Concession fares under MyZone

Under MyZone concession entitlements remain the same or similar to previous arrangements, although some ticket products or prices may have changed.

From 1 July 2011, the MyMulti tickets, the Pensioner Excursion Ticket and Family Funday Sunday have been available for use on light rail. These tickets are not sold on light rail and must be purchased before boarding. See the Buying Tickets page . Entitlements and ticket products remain the same on services not covered by the MyZone structure, such as private ferries, monorail and CountryLink services.

Half fare concessions are available for children and young people on all MyZone ticket products (except monthly, quarterly and yearly MyMulti products). SSTS free school travel passes will remain the same under MyZone.

See MyZone for more information.

Rail

Bus

Ferry

Light Rail

Monorail

1. Not covered under MyZone, with a few exceptions (see MyZone ). Private bus operators may offer other ticket products at discounted or concession rates. Check with the operator before travelling.
2. The fast ferry services operating between Manly and Circular Quay, light rail and Monorail services are privately owned and operated services. Any concession benefits or discounted tickets are provided by the operators of these services at their discretion. Check with the operator before travelling. However, as indicated from 1 July 2011, MyMulti, Family Funday Sunday and PET have been available for use on light rail.
3. Most contracted private ferry services recognise the standard concession entitlements but may have different arrangements, based on their existing contractual obligations. Check with the operator before travelling. Private ferry operators may also offer other ticket products at discounted or concession rates. For more information, contact the operator.

Proof of entitlement

• No proof of entitlement is required. However young people at the upper end of this age bracket may wish to obtain a NSW Proof of Age card (transport) to verify that their age still falls within the child fare range. The card will show the date of their 16th birthday and, hence, the expiry date of their entitlement. This card cannot be used for non-transport purposes.
• Private ferry operators may recognise the Proof of Age card or have different proof of eligibility requirements. Check with the operator for more information about their proof of eligibility requirements.
• Young people under 16 years of age with an SSTS free travel entitlement will need an SSTS pass for their travel to and from classes, but do not need any card/pass to obtain child fare at other times.

Proof of Age card

How to apply

Proof of Age cards (and replacement cards) are generally issued by the school the young person attends. Applications can be made to the RailCorp Passes and Concessions Office by students during vacation periods, and by young people who are home schooled, not enrolled in a school, or from interstate. Applications will need to be supported by proof of identity, age, and the school (where applicable).

How long the card can be used

The card is valid until the young person's 16th birthday (except on some private ferry services, where it is valid until their 15th birthday – check with the operator prior to travel). The Proof of Age card will show the age of the holder at the date of application as well as the date at which they reach the cut off age.

Fees

No fee applies for the initial Proof of Age card or any replacement.