Monday 9 January 2023

Remember This? State Transit Authority Ad (1990)

Below is a 1990 newspaper advertisement by the State Transit Authority to promote the savings associated with taking public transport on the weekends.

STA Ad September 20 1990 daily mirror 39

Source: State Transit Authority. 1990. "Catch the huge savings on buses and ferries this weekend". The Daily Mirror: 39.

In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, which led to an increase in petrol prices to around 75 cents per litre which was high at the time. The Sydney Harbour Bridge toll has doubled to $3.00 on weekends, but at the time, the $1.50 toll was charged irrespective of the time travelled. 

A ferry trip from Manly to Circular Quay in 1990 cost $3.20 for adults, compared with $8.04 on an opal card or contactless payment in 2023. Note that there is a weekend daily cap of $8.40 for an opal meaning a return trip would cost 36 cents. 

In 1990, it cost $3.80 to travel by bus from Newport to the city and $2.40 from Coogee to the city. In 2023, the same trip from Newport to the city decreased by 27 cents to $3.53 as bus fares were previously subject to a flat fare with no off-peak discounts. However, the trip from Coogee to the city has increased just 35 cents to $2.75, but when adjusted for inflation, the same trip in real terms is cheaper than in 1990.

A few weeks after the advertisement was published, Cityrail also used high petrol prices to attract commuters to commute by train. A link is listed below.

Opal Fares are correct as of  9 January 2023. 

Related Entry

Remember This? CityRail Advertisement (1990)


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