UPDATE 4.20pm
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Transport for NSW says requests for Opal card account adjustments following the system crash in the morning peak can also be made online at opal.com.au
A spokeswoman said adjustments could always be sought on line.
‘‘However customers who want an immediate adjustment should call Opal on 13 67 25,’’ he said.
‘‘Since about 5.30am this morning, all customer calls to Opal have been answered within seconds.’’
UPDATE 2pm:
A software update delay caused the Opal card crash during this morning’s peak.
Transport for NSW said it apologised to passengers for the ‘‘brief outage’’ on trains, ferries and light rail, and thanked them for their patience.
‘‘Opal card readers were not working between 4am and 6.30am while an essential software upgrade was completed,’’ a statement said.
‘‘These upgrades are completed overnight when very few services are operating, but this upgrade took longer than expected.
‘‘Buses were not affected because their readers did not require this software upgrade.
‘‘The issue was resolved at about 6.30am and customers are advised to now tap on and tap off as usual.
‘‘Any default fares incurred because of the outage will be adjusted immediately by calling Opal Customer Care on 13 67 25.
‘‘Transport for NSW will review this morning’s incident to ensure future software upgrades don’t cause similar disruptions for customers.’’
UPDATE:
Opal card users could face a long wait on the phone to ensure they won't be penalised for the system crashing during this morning's peak.
"Any default fares incurred will be adjusted by calling the Opal customer help line on 13 67 25." a Transport for NSW statement said.
As a result of the network-wide failure, which was blamed on a "technical issue", travellers were not able to "tap on" or "tap off" between about 6am and 7am.
This left many liable to being charged the default fare, which for most would be higher than their normal fare.
The crash affected metro, regional and interstate trains, ferries and light rail.
Card readers at stations were showing a "closed" sign.
Some travellers to airport stations complained they were forced to buy paper tickets.
Were you affected by the crash?
EARLIER STORY:
Opal card facilities have been restored after the system crashed across Sydney during morning peak hour.
Transport for NSW tweeted at 7am that card readers were back in service across the network following "a technical issue".
The system crashed about 6am across metro, regional and interstate trains, ferries and light rail.
Card readers at stations were showing a "closed" sign and not allowing users to tap on or off.
However, rather than travel for free, commuters at some stations were forced to line up to buy paper tickets instead.
Twitter users had posted photos of broken card readers at Pendle Hill, Domestic Airport, Stanmore, Minto, Holsworthy, Bondi Junction and Hazelbrook.
Some users had also reported facilities being down on buses.
A Transport for NSW spokesman said any default fares incurred have to be adjusted by calling the Opal customer help line on 13 67 25.
Customers travelling this morning are advised to follow the direction of Transport staff," he said.
The Transport Management Centre said at 6.45am there were no delays across the train network.
Were you affected by the Opal system crash?
