Opal Next Gen is the codename given to an upgrade of the Opal card ticketing system for public transport in New South Wales, Australia. Transport for NSW has cited a need to replace ageing infrastructure as a reason to proceed with the upgrade to Opal Next Gen. the project is targeting a roll-out date of September 2027.
Opal Next Gen will have improved integration with digital services such as bank cards and smart phones. Smart phones do not currently allow you to use concession fares via your Opal card but Opal Next Gen will aim to rectify that problem.
As part of the upgrade, Transport for NSW will need to upgrade all 25,000 Opal readers at train and metro stations, light rail stops, ferry wharves and on buses.
Funding for the Opal Next Gen upgrade was first announced by the New South Wales government in June 2022 as a response to ageing infrastructure.
In 2024, the New South Wales government renewed its contract with Cubic to operate the original Opal card system after it had been in place for 14 years and was due to lapse in September. Transport for NSW extended the contract until September 2026.
In January 2025, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the project was internally targeting a release date of September 2027, further than the original plan of mid-2026.
In December 2024, tenders for the Opal Next Gen system closed.
In August 2025, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the project was budgeted to cost $738million up from $568million.
Opal Next Gen will have improved integration with smart phones and will allow commuters to use bank cards to access concession fares.
Opal Next Gen will allow concertgoers to present a QR code to pass ticket gates.