NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance today announced the next stage in the rollout of ‘jump-proof’ ticket barriers at train stations with the installation of six new gates at Bankstown Station.

The Opal-only gates help to reduce fare evasion with higher gate paddles making it much harder for people to jump over them.

“Customers who pay their way expect others to do the same. This is another way to deter the dodgers who are taking everyone else for a ride,” Mr Constance said.

The gates also make it much more difficult to tailgate, where two people pass through the gate at once – a common tactic of fare evaders.

The new gates at Bankstown have been switched on following a successful trial at Sydney Olympic Park Station, where the barriers have been tested since February.

The new-style gates process data more quickly so people can tap on and off faster. There are also wider aisles and larger, clearer screens for customers to read their Opal account balance. Safety is also improved with additional sensors meaning the gates are less likely to close while customers are passing through.

“Customers have said overall the gates are more reliable and quicker to use,” Mr Constance said.

The gates at Bankstown will now be trialled for a month. The station is the first with a high volume of customers to be fitted with the Opal-only gates and was selected because 2.1 million journeys were taken there last year.

The new barriers will be rolled out and trialled next at Parramatta, followed by Central, Town Hall and Wynyard next year. Older gates removed from these stations will be installed at un-gated stations to help reduce fare evasion further.

“The most recent fare evasion survey showed an overall reduction, saving taxpayers $24 million last year,” Mr Constance said.