Transport for NSW (TfNSW) seeks to engage with industry to inform and shape its strategy for the Opal Ticketing Retail Solution for the NSW transport network.

This Invitation for Market Sounding (Invitation) sets out the process by which TfNSW seeks to engage with and collect information and opinions from industry. This Invitation and the responses provided by parties within the industry (as Participants) may inform TfNSW’s strategy development for the Opal ticketing Retail Solution for the NSW transport network.

TfNSW currently operates the Opal ticketing system in the Greater Sydney area. A key aspect of the Opal solution is that customers may acquire and add value to their Opal card in order to pay to travel on the public transport network.

The retail network channel serves a critical function for our passengers, being heavily relied upon for Opal card acquisition and top ups. Retailers provide one of only 2 ticketing channels which accept cash (individual store dependent) for those who prefer this payment method. It also offers customers the ability to travel anonymously, as non-concession cards can be acquired via the retail network without registration.

The retail network currently consists of around 1400 individual businesses across NSW, within the Greater Sydney area and surrounds. The retail network currently enables customers to acquire new Opal cards (Adult or Child/Youth) and to top up new or existing Opal cards. Under the current solution, the top up amount is stored directly on the Opal cards.

TfNSW plans to transition the current Opal card solution to an Account Based Ticketing (ABT) solution as part of the Opal Next Generation (ONG) program. The move to an Account Based Ticketing solution will result in a change that will move the balance from the Opal card to the ABT Back Office in a Fare Media Account.

In the future state, the new Retail Solution must be integrated with and concurrently online with the ABT Back Office, in order to send and receive transactional and other information.

Given the geographical spread of TfNSW's transport network and changing market conditions, insights are being sought from Participants relating to a range of areas for the Opal Retail Ticketing Solution, including:

- current and future technology and card inventory solutions available in the market

- ability for the market to develop, enhance, manage and maintain a retail solution

- ability for the market to deliver and operate a new large-scale retail solution