The steep fee wasn't attracting many takers on Monday afternoon.Credit:Josh Dye
A spokeswoman for Transport for NSW confirmed that the $35 minimum,which covers the cost of a return train trip to the airport,was an effort to"stop the fraud which has been going on".
At the end of last financial year,Opal cards with insufficient funds at tap-off had cost taxpayers a total of more than $7 million,she said.
People who aren't planning to use the card during their stay in Sydney or for a return trip to the airport can still purchase a one-way ticket,which will cost the $14.30 station access fee plus the trip fare (so $18.70 in total from Domestic to Central).
As long as a passenger has the minimum balance on an unregistered Opal card to tap on,they can complete the journey and tap off with a negative balance.Credit:Janie Barrett
Those who have existing Opal cards can still top up online or via the app at the airport for the usual $10 minimum.
So for those aware of the loophole,it's still possible to game the system for the trip to the airport.
The gate technology will eventually be updated to ensure all commuters pay the station access fee,the Transport for NSW spokeswoman said.