In Australia, Sydney commuters could get free train rides as The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union seek to shut down the Opal card network.
The Opal card is a rechargeable smartcard used for electronic ticketing on public transport in the Australian state of New South Wales.
It is valid on all modes of transport in the state, including Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink inter-city rail, Sydney Ferries, and light rail services. It is also valid on bus services in the Sydney metropolitan area and on some regional bus services.
The union is hoping to reduce the state government’s revenue from ticket sales as part of a long-running battle over a new enterprise agreement.
After a previous plan to open ticket gates was thwarted by the government, RTBU secretary Alex Claassens said on Monday that the union had submitted a new application to the Fair Work Commission.
“The Commission will be asked to determine within 48 hours whether our actions can go ahead or not,” Mr. Claassens said.
Last week, the RTBU announced to shut down the machines.
The government responded to the union plan by filing an application with the Fair Work Commission to have the plan terminated on the grounds that it was “unprotected.”
