NSW Premier Kristina Keneally announced last week a new fare structure for buses, ferries and trains, called MyZone, would come into effect from April 18.

Under the new structure, commuters will be able to buy MyTrain, MyBus and MyFerry tickets for single and weekly trips, with fares capped by distance.

The MyBus tickets can be used on government and private buses.

Fares for trips shorter than five sections remain the same, but all trips longer than six sections including The Hills to the city will be capped at $4.30 for a single adult fare and $34.40 for a 10-trip ticket, a TravelTen.

Passengers are currently paying $6.30 for a single trip and $50.40 for a weekly ticket.

There will also be a MyMulti ticket for unlimited trips on all government and private buses, trains and ferries.

Three different ticket prices determined by train distance from Sydney's CBD will apply.

The maximum MyMulti fare for passengers more than 35 kilometres from the CBD will be capped at $57 a week, regardless of where, or how often, a passenger travels on the network.

Hills Shire Mayor Peter Dimbrowsky said the drop in ticket prices was a good interim measure until the rail line was built.

``We thank the Government for finally acknowledging that commuters are really struggling out here and we look forward to the announcement the north-west rail will be delivered,'' Councillor Dimbrowsky said.

He invited the Premier to visit The Hills and look at the council's Integrated Transport Direction policy.

Cr Dimbrowsky said it was imperative to include the north-west rail link in the NSW Government's transport blueprint when it was released next month.

Transport Minister David Campbell said the new fare structure would cost the Government $33 million a year in lost revenue.

``But we will attract patronage and that will reduce our cost,'' he said.

Hills MP Michael Richardson said saving $16 on a weekly ticket would be useless if people couldn't get on to a bus.

``Which is exactly what will happen if the Government doesn't increase bus numbers to match the rise in passengers,'' he said.

. Information: www.my

zone.nsw.gov.au/mybus

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North-west residents have their say: page x.